Chapter 255: Shadows in the Alley
The world turned white as a tremendous explosion erupted behind me. Reacting instinctively, I soul cast an Aegis, though the measure proved futile. The ensuing shockwave slammed into me, breaking through the spell and knocking the air from my lungs. Everything went black as I tumbled through the air, landing hard on my back. My shoulder screamed as the impact incited the Sunpurge, bits of rock and gravel digging into my flesh, leaving long, bloody gashes as I rolled across the ground.
When I came to, I was lying on my back staring up at the sky. My chest was tight and bruised, every breath burning. My ribs ached fiercely, possibly broken, and my sensitive tail throbbed where it had been crushed against the ground. What had even happened? An explosion of that magnitude was the result of powerful magic, fifth-circle or above, certainly not something the inquisitors possessed. Unless...
I crept to my knees, relying heavily on my staff to keep from collapsing again. Rivulets of blood streaked across my skin, welling up from a multitude of cuts across my body, accompanied by tears brought forth by the searing agony of the Sunpurge.
As I feared, the wall had been blown apart. Veera slumped with exhaustion, her sword hanging loosely in her hand. Sweat and grime streaked her face, her chest heaving, but more notably, her soul was dim and withered. Not the drained, or dry, but shriveled and weak. The power emanating from her barely reached the threshold for third level, and still dropping.
"Y-you burned your soul?" Aqua gasped incredulously, staring at her mentor in disbelief.
"Catch her," Veera croaked, stretching out her hand toward me.
The older woman collapsed, the cycling mana of her soul pulsing erratically. Aqua sighed and stood, blue mana flaring around her fists.
"I will remember your sacrifice," she whispered, locking eyes with me.
Leaping forward, the inquisitor struck the ground with her fist, sending waves of mana spiraling through the earth toward me. I fought to react, but my body felt dipped in honey, too lethargic and heavy to respond.