Atticus's mana churned as a blazing ring of energy materialized before him. It swirled with raw, untamed power, trembling with uncontained intensity.
His focus sharpened.
The ring compressed, folding in on itself tighter and tighter until it was no larger than a finger ring. The energy within it vibrated violently, desperate for release, unstable and furious.
A beast burst from the acid, its pointed head gleaming as it hurtled toward him like a living spear.
Atticus moved.
His body twisted, narrowly evading the beast's deadly charge. Acid splattered in his wake, sizzling against the stone. His piercing gaze locked onto another beast as it darted toward him. Without hesitation, he unleashed the compressed ring.
The ring streaked through the air, a bolt of azure light, and struck the beast's head.
For a moment, it seemed to cut cleanly through the beast, slicing its form apart.
Then, Atticus released his hold.
