6-98. The Nature of Sacrifice
Elijah raced forward, already shifting into the Shape of Thorn, but he knew he wouldn’t get there soon enough to save Dat. Even as a huge, lightning bolt-shaped staff appeared in Yloa’s hand, Elijah’s body twisted and transformed. As the staff fell toward Dat’s head, Elijah let out a scream of primal frustration. The world felt like it was moving in slow motion, yet as strong as he was, Elijah couldn’t force himself to go any faster.
He was destined to fail.
The staff – which, with its sharp end, functioned more like a spear – connected.
A bright light flashed, nearly blinding Elijah, but when he blinked free of the dark spots in his vision, he realized two things. First, his transformation was complete, and the additional Strength drove him forward with vastly increased speed. Second, Dat was unharmed. He still wasn’t moving, but he showed no wounds from the attack. It only took a moment for Elijah to recognize that both Sadie and Lamar had thrown their respective shields on the Witch Hunter, and that had been just enough to protect Dat from Yloa’s blow.
The Lightning Emperor was not deterred.
With a look of annoyance twisting his expression, he reared back, ready to repeat the attack. But now that Elijah had adopted the form of the Thorned Sentry, he had more options available to him. He used Bestial Charge.
Before the second blow could fall, Elijah rammed into the Lightning Emperor. It felt like running headfirst into a wall. And though Yloa didn’t move more than a few scant inches, he did move. More importantly, his attack was once again fouled, and the bladed end of his staff tore into the floor, plunging almost a foot deep.
At the same time, Ron shouted, “Heals aren’t working!”
Elijah didn’t need to be told what was coming. Ron was extremely open with his capabilities – he claimed that it was necessary so his companions knew his limits – and so, Elijah knew what the Healer would do as a last resort. He recalled the description of the man’s most potent heal:
| Healer’s Burden
| A powerful heal that far exceeds the effect of any previous spells, both in terms of scope and potency. Use of this spell requires the Healer to take on the wounds of his patient. Potency based on Core Cultivation and Ethera attribute. Will not result in the Healer’s death.
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