The air reeked of ash and iron. The ground beneath the mansion shook with every impact, a steady rhythm of chaos that wouldn't stop.
Elyra pressed her hand to her temple, eyes darting between the lines of soldiers barely holding formation. The tide wasn't slowing — if anything, the monsters were pushing harder. Her jaw clenched. "We can't keep this pace," she muttered. Then louder: "Elena, Charlotte — come here. Now."
Elena finished sealing a soldier's wound with a burst of green light before running toward her. "What's the plan?"
"We regroup," Elyra said firmly, scanning the battlefield again. "If we keep spreading our mana like this, we'll collapse before dawn."
Charlotte stumbled slightly as she joined them, her face pale but still glowing faintly under the golden remnants of her prayer. Her breathing was uneven, but she forced a smile. "Sorry… didn't mean to worry you two."
"You nearly burned yourself out," Elena said softly, worry flickering through her tone.
