The battle ended swiftly after the mage's death. A few of the human seventh-level combatants tried to retreat, but Luke left us to pursue them. The difference between a seventh and eighth-level being was technically only a single level, yet the chasm between them was far greater than that between a first and sixth-level mage. When faced with such an insurmountable disparity, the remaining humans were slaughtered like cattle by the apostle.
As Luke departed to hunt down the last remnants of resistance, I sank to the ground, hugging my knees to my chest. I gazed dully at the ice demon as it continued assimilating its newfound power, but the sight failed to capture my attention the way it had before. I ended up resting my chin on my knees, staring at nothing.
