Stand

The moment the armored cultist's boots hit the cracked stone, the battle exploded into motion.

His glaive swung in a vicious arc toward Seraphina's flank—no words, no delay, only killing intent. But she was already moving, silver sigils flaring around her. 

Her serpent dove from the sky with a cry like shattering crystal, intercepting the blade in a luminous coil. Sparks and aether clashed as metal met radiant flesh.

Bennett struck next, golden aether roaring from him like a tidal wave. "Strike, Aureval!" he commanded.

With a howl that split the heavens, Aureval streaked forward—a blur of stormlight and claw. The massive wind-lupine slammed into a cultist charging for the center, claws extended. Wind-forged talons ripped through armor, sending the attacker airborne in a spray of broken stone.

Aureval turned, his limbs kicking up cyclones as he dashed toward another target, slicing through rubble and attacking the other cultists.