Maribelle Blackthorn stands frozen inches above the mud, locked in a suspended moment in time, held there by a dozen monks and mages, led by two chanting kitsune, hurling nonstop incantations to keep her, Eris, and Pip out of the fight.
And while the elven spellsword waits patiently for reality to resume around her, Vuvi's reality has already collapsed into a world of pure, grinding pain.
Syraleth's fist slowly closes as her magical tendrils crush Vuvi's body amid her shrieking howls of pain and the baroness's cackles of delight.
Crack~
Something in Vuvi's shoulder gives with a wet, sickening pop, and her scream tears raw across the battlefield.
"STOP!" Veena screams, her voice strained and cracking as she clutches her ribs. "That's enough, Syraleth! Please!"
