Cruzer's icy wave surged across the battlefield, creeping up Elara's legs and threatening to freeze her in place.
She reacted swiftly, her staff glowing as she whispered a quick incantation, summoning a barrier of light around herself.
The ice shattered against it, but not without slowing her down. For a brief moment, Cruzer had accomplished what he set out to do—he had disrupted her rhythm and forced her to focus on defense.
But Elara was no novice. With a flick of her wrist, the barrier pulsed outward, sending a shockwave of energy that forced Cruzer to leap back. Her sharp, calculating eyes fixed on him, and she frowned.
"You think you can defeat me so easily, Cruzer?"
Cruzer didn't respond immediately. His chest heaved from the exertion of using Glacial Rend so soon after his last flurry of attacks.
He needed to buy himself some time, but more importantly, he had to make sure Elara couldn't continue supporting her allies.
