The usual duration for a Star Weapon discharge was roughly sixty seconds. Despite that objectively short span of time, it felt like a whole year to me, every heartbeat a slow, agonising drum against my ribs.
I kept my eyes wide, tracking the flow of light through the spears, praying the logic of the old man held true.
Just as the first red beam of light began to fade, losing its blinding opacity, I noticed a sudden, violent surge of power gathering in the sky.
"The second attack," the Jumper's voice cut through the buzzing air, laced with astonishment. "Be ready for it!"
"We'll deal with it like the other one," I replied, shrugging off the fear. My voice was steadier than I felt. I watched the second pillar of fire land fiercely over the top of my head.
It was a tactical error on their part. If the Angels had waited for the first attack to fully vanish and the statue's aura to dissipate, they might have actually caused catastrophic damage.
