Ridan smirked as the clouds above began to churn like a beast awakening from a deep sleep.
"Hazuki!"
"Huh? What now?" Hazuki asked while slicing a goblin general cleanly in half, his movements sharp and smooth—yet strained from exhaustion.
"Let me take over," Ridan said calmly.
"Wha—HEY! Not again!" Hazuki grunted, stumbling slightly as his body responded suddenly to a surge of mana. His mind stayed alert, but his actions were now controlled by Ridan.
Their thoughts overlapped.
"What are you planning this time!?"
"The most powerful area-of-effect spell I know," Ridan's voice practically sang inside his head.
"You better not blow me up!"
"No promises."
Hazuki's palm shot upward, fingers spread wide. Mana erupted from his core like a geyser, making the air around him crackle and hum with static. The temperature plummeted sharply, and the forest air felt alive with energy.
The clouds—calm mere seconds ago—began to twist and swirl violently.
The sky groaned.
CRACKLE.
