The icy projectiles are met by more ice, a barrier that blocks them. Of course, Loren's own magic, boosted as it was overcame it, but not enough to damage the shadow monster. And it was a monster, he could see now, with claws and a twisted grin.
And then something gripped him, something that caused him to fall to the ground in agony and his body to seize up. But even with that, with his body no longer under his control and his mind fuzzy with illness and biopulse, his magic still responds, instinct and training taking over where everything else failed him.
If ice hadn't worked, it was time to try some fire. Some glorious, beautiful fire.
A phoenix appeared in the air above him, wings and body of fire. It let out a piercing cry and dove for his assailant. As it did, its wings brushed the walls, leaving scorch marks and embers and smaller blazes behind. Astra, seeing all this, bleated again, and huddling in the corner, shivering with fear.
And then something gripped him, something that caused him to fall to the ground in agony and his body to seize up. But even with that, with his body no longer under his control and his mind fuzzy with illness and biopulse, his magic still responds, instinct and training taking over where everything else failed him.
If ice hadn't worked, it was time to try some fire. Some glorious, beautiful fire.
A phoenix appeared in the air above him, wings and body of fire. It let out a piercing cry and dove for his assailant. As it did, its wings brushed the walls, leaving scorch marks and embers and smaller blazes behind. Astra, seeing all this, bleated again, and huddling in the corner, shivering with fear.
THE FIREBRAND
Loren
