Chapter 48: plans
Shockwaves slammed into Kaedros’ shield. He groaned as mana drained from him at an alarming rate, but the barrier had held. That was enough, he let it fade as the dust settled.
"How are you able to shield against that?" Rauk asked, scanning the wreckage. He was breathing hard and his face was still filled with fear.
Dust still clouded the corridor, but his eyes weren’t on the debris. Deep gouges marred the floor and walls, wide, unnatural slashes that glowed faintly.
"This is a very powerful explosion, a very very powerful one."
Kaedros grimaced and nodded in agreement. "My mana is almost dried up."
"But still, a rank one doing this." Rauk studied him for a beat, then gave a slow nod. "We all have secrets, I suppose. Even Vexa couldn’t shield against that explosion."
"Good for her," Taria muttered.
They all turned to look at what was left of the woman.
Vexa was a ruin of flesh and twisted metal, drenched in so much blood they couldn’t tell where human ended and metal began, and the crumbled heap has been driven into the crater in the ground.
Rauk turned away, his eyes burning. He tried to hide it, but Kaedros could see that the betrayal had cut deep and was trying to keep his calm.
Rauk stepped toward her crumpled form and...surprisingly, she was still alive.
Barely.