Zahyla's fingers closed around Elio's arm with a force that made his armor shatter.
His broken arm would be useless for controlling magic now, the shattered bones making mana manipulation with his hand impossible before the armor finished healing it.
The world seemed to slow down as the smile of victory began to form on her face, a predator's expression of triumph.
But Taron's magic attack came like lightning from behind.
The impact, enhanced by the metamorphosis potion, managed to make Zahyla divert her attention for a fraction of a second. Without hesitation, Taron spun his sword in a precise arc, severing Elio's trapped arm.
"Taron!" Elio recovered from the initial shock, turning to join the attack.
If they acted together, maybe...
But Taron didn't turn.
Didn't see Elio eye signals.
Didn't hesitate.
