Azreal fell to one knee, blood dripping from his lips. His chest burned, pain flashing across his vision.
"I said… who are you…?" he growled, his voice low and cracked with fury.
The figure in the shadow smiled.
With a sharp pull, he ripped the blade from Azreal's chest. Blood sprayed out in a wide arc, sizzling as it hit the molten ground. Azreal's body jerked slightly, but he didn't fall.
His eyes burned, glowing hotter than ever. A low hum echoed as a blue sphere of flames began to form in his right hand. It spun wildly, swirling faster and faster until it whined like a storm. The heat was intense, melting the rocks around his feet. Cracks spread like a web beneath him.
The mysterious figure backed away slowly, eyes narrowed.
