Designed for Dominion

The violet fireball tore through the air, its heat warping the space between Ru and death. Time slowed—or perhaps Ru's mind did, stretching the moment thin as parchment. He could see every ripple of flame, every spark hungry for his skin.

"Misha," he whispered, the name a mourning note on his lips. "Why?"

The spiraling purple flames of Misha hurled him aloft. Trapped in a shimmering energy sphere, Ru found himself on the brink of both sleep and wakefulness. Even as his magic lifted Ru, a primal protectiveness flared within Misha, his tail instinctively wrapping around Kaero like a living shield.

"So, you've finally arrived, huli jing."

A crackling silk fan cut through the smoke, and Heise appeared untouched, his hanfu intact, a razor-thin smile on his lips. Snowflakes danced around him.

"Yes, I'm here. Just a moment," Misha replied, his gaze flicking to Kaero. He gently tugged on his tail, freeing the catman. "Kim, are you alright?"