The heat of Thalindra's flames radiated against my skin as chaos erupted in the narrow corridor. The golden light of my barrier flickered weakly against the onslaught, sweat dripping down my face as I struggled to maintain it.
"Stop gaping and help!" Thalindra snapped, her voice sharp as she deflected another attacker's blade with a sweep of her black fire.
The soldier stumbled back, yelping as his armor melted under the intense heat.
"I am helping!" I shot back, gritting my teeth and reinforcing the barrier as another guard charged. I sidestepped awkwardly, nearly tripping over my own feet.
The hooded figure stayed back, watching with an unsettling calm. Their hands were clasped behind their back, as if they weren't overseeing a small army trying to kill us. Thalindra seemed to notice, too. Her flames shifted direction, striking toward the figure, but they sidestepped with almost supernatural ease.