Trap and Encounter

"Tera?"

Before Rune had even gotten the words out, she was already moving. She blasted the party back with a round of earth magic and hastily threw up a barrier between them. She had attempted to put one behind her as well, but something immediately cut through it, and there was no time to try again.

In the next moment, a huge explosion rocked the area.

Rune and his party watched as Tera's body burned on the other side. Waves of fire rushed past them on both sides, the surroundings were sent into a panic, and villagers and visitors alike screamed and fled for their lives.

When the dust settled, nothing was left of the charming little house in front of them, and Tera collapsed to the ground.

Rune sat up in a daze and looked around. It had all happened so fast, but the things he was currently seeing sent feelings of rage bubbling up from the pit of his stomach.