Arantius's sword blurred, drawing a golden arc through the sky. I shielded my eyes as the wind blades released by the art whipped at my hair and clothes. Luke's arms encircled me as he shielded me with his body. Somewhere behind me, I heard Sari's surprised shriek.
The arc slammed into the shining aegis, causing an explosion so bright it drowned out the darkness of the skies. Arantius turned, lowering his sword.
"There. How do you feel? Any backlash now?" he asked.
I hesitated, my brow furrowing. "I don't...it's not..."
He stiffened and spun around, staring up at the ripples of gold tearing across the sky. When the light finally faded, a low gasp flitted around the island.
Emlica's jaw dropped, her expression shattering like glass. She stared at the golden ripples still pulsing through the sky.
"It held," she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper. "By the stars...it actually held."
