The red pulse slammed into the chamber like a hammer. Hunter’s body went rigid, muscles coiled tight as the magic tried to crush them both. Celeste coughed weakly behind him, but he refused to let go. His claws scraped the stone floor as he roared, pushing back.

Beside him, Lis and Logan battled ferociously. Lis wielded her blade in swift arcs, deflecting a witch’s fireball that hissed past, while Logan’s own weapon glowed blue, smashing through corrupted armor like it was paper. The ...