Chapter 478: Remnants
Instead of waiting for an answer, the remnant’s sword streaked across the sky. Space itself caught on the tip, condensing together in a wave of power that launched in an arc toward us. It happened so quickly that I couldn’t consciously react, slamming against us before I had time to blink.
Fable had no such limitations, however. I hadn’t even registered that he’d moved when he appeared in the air between me and the arc of shadow, intercepting it with his claws. The ensuing explosion swept through the cathedral with the force of a hurricane, breaking against my ward. The impact sent cracks spiderwebbing across the shimmering shields, and my breath caught in my throat.
Just how strong had that attack been? Both of my wards were at the peak of the fifth level and had proved able to withstand sixth-circle spells. But this was just the shockwave from the attack! If Fable hadn’t been there...
My wolf landed again, hackles raised, and lips curled around his teeth in a growl. The remnant lowered his sword, eyes locked onto me, and asked again, "What have you done?"
It wasn’t a question of curiosity but condemnation, filled with enough malice to make me shiver. As before, it followed up the question by drawing another line across the sky with its sword, launching another arc of shadow at us.
But this time, I was ready, casting before its sword began to move. "Distortion!"
The star atop my staff lit up like a beacon, releasing a pulse of...nothing. It had no color or form, visible only as a slight, wavering distortion in the air, from which the spell’s name derived. It looked like water vapor evaporating on a hot day, expanding and reaching the ends of the great hall in an instant.
The arc of darkness leaped from the remnant’s blade, slashing toward us faster than my eyes could follow. But the attack never reached us. It kept moving and moving, humming angrily, never slowing but never actually making progress toward its destination. An impossible paradox, but unfolding before my very eyes.
But the reprieve wouldn’t last. The sheer power of the arc was overwhelming, and the distorted space began to unravel. Within seconds, it would break free.