"Fine," Vexar said at last. "I agree."
Rowan's willingness to personally assist shifted the odds enough that refusing no longer made sense.
Vexar studied him carefully.
"One question," he added. "What do you gain from this?"
Rowan smiled faintly.
"I won't pretend I'm selfless."
He folded his hands loosely.
"I've wandered outside structured factions for a long time. My growth has stagnated."
"I entered this domain while experimenting with spatial techniques. Meeting all of you is… an opportunity."
"If this succeeds, I'd like an introduction to the High Architect."
Solarian blinked.
"That's it?"
He waved dismissively.
"When the High Architect emerges from seclusion, I'll recommend you personally."
For Solarian, it was a trivial favor.
For Vexar, it stung.
He had spent countless years trying to earn a single audience.
Solarian could arrange one with a sentence.
The difference in status was infuriating.
Vexar said nothing.
Then added, "If this succeeds and the Deep Tide Dominion survives, you will receive a substantial reward."
With terms settled, Rowan handed the brush back to Solarian.
Solarian immediately prepared to open an exit.
Rowan raised a hand.
"Don't."
Solarian paused.
"We stay inside the World-Seal Canvas."
"Have anyone outside evacuate the area."
"The purge happens here."
Solarian frowned.
"Inside the Canvas?"
Rowan nodded.
"This domain is a supreme containment artifact. Its base structure alone will absorb a large portion of the incoming force."
"Stack that with additional defenses, and Pyros's survival odds increase dramatically."
Understanding dawned.
Solarian quickly opened a narrow aperture and leaned outside, relaying instructions to Pyros's parents and the local defenders.
As soon as he finished, the sky beyond darkened.
Massive storm clouds rolled in.
The purge had arrived.
Solarian sealed the aperture.
Inside the Canvas, the environment shifted.
Runes ignited across the void.
Energy lines formed a vast geometric lattice around the group.
Rowan had already begun constructing his own barrier.
A multi-layered elemental ward based on interlocking force principles.
Dense.
Stable.
Exceptionally resilient.
Solarian's eyes widened.
"This formation…"
"It's stronger than any defensive array I know."
Rowan gave a modest shrug.
"I have some experience."
He continued working.
Next, Rowan extended his hand.
Molten silver light condensed in midair.
The substance rapidly solidified into a dark metallic framework.
Uru.
One of the most resilient metals Rowan knew.
He shaped it into a massive cage surrounding Pyros.
Then reinforced it through successive transmutation and enchantment cycles until the structure hummed with internal pressure.
Vexar stared.
"You're building a containment shell?"
"More like a lightning sink," Rowan said.
"It disperses and redirects electrical force."
Solarian exhaled slowly.
"Your crafting techniques are… impressive."
Rowan smiled faintly.
"I dabble."
When everything was complete, Rowan gestured.
"Everyone inside."
Solarian stepped in.
Glacien followed.
Vexar hesitated only a moment before entering as well.
Pyros stood at the center.
The sky within the Canvas began to glow.
Purple-white lightning coiled like living serpents above them.
The purge was seconds away.