Chapter 24: Veylith Crystal Exorcism
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Maia dropped to one knee, her hand slamming against the ground as a glowing sigil spread out beneath her palm. A dome of shimmering light rose around Alyhana, Eli, and Iris just in time to block a wave of lightning that cracked through the air like a whip.
The barrier flickered, unstable, already straining under the pressure of the storm inside the temple.
Maia’s shoulders shook. Blood ran down the side of her face, but she didn’t wipe it away.
"I’ll hold it," she muttered. "I’ll hold it as long as I can."
Alyhana turned to her, eyes wide. "You’re bleeding!"
"And the he temple is collapsing," Maia said through gritted teeth. "We don’t stop now."
Another blast of energy rocked the chamber. The floor cracked. Statues groaned.
Eli crouched beside Iris, shielding her with his body. Maia’s eyes were locked on Xander, he was floating, trembling, glowing brighter with every second.
"He’s unraveling," she said. "The crystal’s too much for one soul to carry. We must perform the ritual immediately."
The power inside Xander surged again violent and wild and probably blood thirsty, then it exploded. A massive blast of energy burst from his body, knocking everyone to the ground. The barrier Maia had cast cracked but held. Barely.
The flame bowl behind him shattered, blue fire scattering like glass across the Xanders body felt like it was splitting apart from the inside out. His skin burned. His chest ached. His thoughts were barely holding together.