The atmosphere hissed.
The fire glowed within every bone of its skeleton, intensifying deeper and deeper, heat palpable even from a distance. The Bake-kujira opened its jaw and the roiling inferno sparked and heaved. Not quite out, charging and charging and charging. This was no ordinary fire—it was an apocalyptic fire breath, a last-ditch effort to obliterate everything in its path.
The locals had been accurate. The obscene amount of mana building was like a living rampaging island. It would kill everything and everyone.
From the boats, Astrid's voice rang out. "Kill it! Kill it now!" She didn't think, she simply struck and attacked greater. Quite frankly, she didn't speak out of concern for anyone but simply for victory. For battle.
Kazi remained where he was, facing the danger of the Fire Annihilation Breath. His gaze lay locked on the Bake-kujira's glowing maw. The calm that had carried him throughout the battle hadn't wavered—not even now.