Juat as he thought Zara was done, she did otherwise, outside the illusion, she flexed her hands slightly.
_____
The twisted forest stretched endlessly, with the oppressive shadows casting strange patterns on the gnarled trees.
Pyris stood motionless for a moment, taking in the air that seemed to pulse with tension. His muscles coiled beneath his skin like a lion ready to pounce, his fingers curling and uncurling by his side, eager to unleash the elemental chaos that was his to command.
It felt like he hadn't even fought at all.
His breathing was steady, controlled, but the air around him felt anything but calm.
At that moment his power flared, it was as if the entire forest had become aware of his presence. The leaves trembled, the trees groaned under the pressure, and the ground shifted slightly beneath his feet.
Pyris' eyes glowed faintly, a warning that the full force of his powers was close at hand.
