The massive black hand shot out from the crack in the ground with terrifying speed.
This time it wasn't just mist or shadow. It was solid, real, and undeniably physical. The fingers were as thick as tree trunks, the skin rough and black as midnight. Everything about it looked cold and wrong.
The hand reached straight for me with clear intention and frightening speed.
I didn't have time to think. My body just reacted on pure instinct.
I threw everything I had left into one desperate attack. Silver light exploded from both my hands, bright and burning hot. It streaked through the air and hit the hand hard in the center of its palm.
The hand stopped its advance immediately, making a sound like steam hitting snow a sharp hiss that echoed through the chamber. It pulled back slightly, and smoke rose from where my light had made contact.
But it only retreated a little. My attack had barely hurt it.
