Chase II

Asher's blood-forged wings sliced through the air as he soared forward, Serena right behind him.

The Black Hollow Citadel—a towering fortress of obsidian stone—stood ominously in the distance. Its walls stretched for miles, fortified by massive arcane barriers that shimmered with an eerie glow. This was a domain belonging to another god, one outside Malfus's influence.

If they could just make it inside…

"How long until we reach it?" Serena shouted over the wind.

"Three minutes," Asher replied. "If we don't get shot down first."

Serena cursed under her breath. "They're not gonna make this easy, are they?"

As if in response, a hailstorm of dark projectiles suddenly erupted from below.

Dozens of black spears, pulsating with fiendish energy, shot toward them at blinding speed.

Asher's eyes gleamed red.

"Hold on!"

With a sharp flick of his hand, his wings expanded, morphing into a massive barrier of hardened blood.