Then—
Snap!
The shadowy man snapped his fingers.
In an instant, the five formless creatures exploded into motion. Their dark bodies streaked forward like liquid shadows, the floor beneath them wilting as they moved. Their forms weren't fully solid—twisting and coiling like smoke given life.
At the same time, the heretics behind them shouted in unison. One slammed his hands together, and his arms were suddenly covered in thick, shadowed scales. Another let out a sharp laugh, as dark mist oozed from his pores and wrapped around his body like armor. A third clenched his jaw, and his eyes glowed black before he vanished into the air like mist, only to reappear a few feet forward with a heavy, dull thud.
They'd activated their blessings. All of them rooted in darkness. Dangerous—but not overwhelmingly powerful.
And yet, together, they were deadly.
Emerald narrowed her eyes. Then, without hesitation, she dashed forward.
