The arena pulsed like a beating heart. The air was heavy, saturated not only with mana, sweat, and blood, but with something darker. Something that didn't belong in this world.
Strax stood, watching the circle where the two warriors still took turns striking violent blows, each immersed in their own darkness. The black smoke pouring from their bodies seemed to have a will of its own, trying to escape the protective runes. The audience saw nothing but an exotic spectacle, a rare magic perhaps. But Strax knew.
This was demonic energy.
And, like a flame spreading across a dry field, it wasn't just there.
As he closed his eyes again, expanding his aura like an invisible net, Strax began to feel. One by one, the dark spots lit up in his perception. There weren't just two. Not three. Not five.
There were many.
