Scars of Time

"Jazz!" Anaxarete screamed as the platform carrying the man sank even lower.

"That's enough bullshit," Chrono growled. He drew his pistol and unloaded a series of shots at the wraith—point-blank, no hesitation.

The bullets froze in midair. Then they began to spin slowly. They turned around to face him.

"Oh, we're screwed," Chrono muttered just as Rider’s voice sliced through the air like glass:

"Tick-tock, tick-tock— I break the clock."

Her hands lit up. Time magic surged—

And shattered.

The spell failed.

The bullets ripped through them. One hit their thigh. Another lodged deep in their shoulder. The third tore into their gut.

They dropped to their knees, coughing blood.

"Looks like magic isn't on the table anymore," Killian muttered under his breath, his anger evident in his clenched hands.

Meanwhile, Jasper cursed loud enough to echo through the library:

"Al diavolo tutto! Me ne vado!"

(To hell with everything! I'm leaving!)