Seeing the absolute, irredeemable ruin in his friend's eyes, Karl knew there was no soul left to appeal to.
The man he had served was gone, replaced by a ruthless creature of pure mania.
Karl's eyes hardened. With a swift, fluid motion, he drove his palm into the frigid air between them.
A sharp, violent hum vibrated through the flagstones as a massive, shimmering transparent wall of magical force slammed into place.
The barrier sealed the entire corridor shut, cutting off the Duke with a translucent barrier that distorted the light like thick, rippling glass.
An instant later, Ilkar slammed violently against the shield, his manic face contorting with terrifying rage .
His screams and curses were muffled into a low, drowned roar, unable to shatter the barrier's force.
Karl didn't waste a heartbeat watching the barrier hold.
He spun around and stooped down, scooping Eiravyne up off the icy floor and gathering her fragile, shivering frame securely into his arms.
