The pulse of dark energy filled the vault, echoing like a distant drumbeat. Valen stood still, gathering his strength as he watched the Warden poised to strike. His senses screamed for him to move, to defend, but he had pushed his power to its limit. Just as the Warden's twisted smirk signaled his deadly intent, Aylara and Lian leapt forward.
Aylara's spell crackled to life, blazing red as fire erupted from her hands and shot toward the Warden, casting jagged shadows across the vault's walls. The Warden recoiled, throwing up a shield of shadow to counter the flames, but the force of her spell held, pressing him back. At the same time, Lian melded into the shadows, reappearing behind the Warden and sending a bolt of dark energy surging toward his exposed back.
