The tension was palpable as the explosion gathered strength, humming ominously as it began to pull everything toward annihilation. Adrian's focus was fierce, his entire being devoted to sustaining the barrier of light that surrounded his friends and the others.
His gaze remained on Kalin, who was thrashing against the radiant and shadowy wall with a furious hatred, cursing Adrian's name with every breath. All he could think about was protecting them, holding back the darkness long enough to give them a chance.
Swish-!
But then, something shifted in the air—a barely perceptible flicker behind him, as though the shadows themselves had come alive. Before he could react, a cold, sharp pain erupted just left of his spine, piercing through flesh, muscle, and bone as a steel blade burst from his chest, narrowly missing his heart.
"..."
