The golem dived forward with arms raised and brought them down together to clobber Niobe. The goddess raised her own to defend against the assault.

The collision's shockwave boomed out like a cannon, flattening the grass and herbs of the meadow. It swept the dust off the ground, raining it back like a sandstorm. Flocks of birds scattered out of the area in alarm.

The percussion made Felix skid back on the ground, but he managed to stay on his feet. When visibility returned, he ...