He rebounded quickly, barely staggered, the thin film around him rippling with his force. The priest laughed, a low, unsettling sound, and extended his hand. The golden shield stretched, snaking from his arm in a thin, malleable stream that he whipped toward her like a lash. It snapped through the air, cracking like thunder as it aimed to strike her across the face.
With a swift motion, the princess summoned a slab of earth from below, lifting her off the ground and raising her above the reach of his weapon. She extended her arms outward, and jagged rocks erupted from the ground, spearing toward the priest. He deflected each with a flick of his golden shield, each shard bouncing harmlessly off the gleaming film. But it cost him focus, and in that instant, she attacked.
