The arrow struck the shimmering violet barrier with a dull thud, then detonated in a crackling burst of thunder-light.
For five long seconds a storm of white sparks hammered the violet shell, rippling it like cloth in a gale.
On the corner the two casters' hoods snapped back from the force revealing skull with burning Mana in their eyes. Skeletal hands lifting higher as they poured more Mana into the barrier.
Their focus—if only for a heartbeat—shifted wholly to defense for now.
That opening was enough.
Rama and Shoji thundered across the fractured floor with in incredible speed. Halfway there Larsen flashed past them with Milen cradled in his arms.
"Please, handle them for a while," he said, voice tight with anger and shame.
Rama gave a curt nod. Shoji, already gathering blue aurora around his fists, only grunted agreement.
