Jagged Holes

Ren's eyes widened as the world exploded into blinding light. 

The shockwave hit him like a crashing tide, throwing him backward. He slammed into the ground and rolled, dust and heat in the air choking his lungs. 

When the ringing in his ears faded and his vision cleared, he forced himself up to one knee, blinking away the burning spots in his sight.

His father lay sprawled on the ground ahead, unmoving, his shirt torn and smoke curling from his body. Panic gripped his heart at the sight.

The explosion had hurled his father away from the pillar. Blood trickled from his mouth. Lord Abram Ross, the pillar of their family and the strongest man he knew, was down.

"Father!" Ren yelled, pushing to his feet and sprinting toward him. 

From the corners of his vision, he saw the barbarian warriors surging forward with renewed intensity, emboldened by the fall of Lord Ross.

"The Sky God is down!"