The Red Plague

The blast was silent for a half-second, as if reality itself hesitated to comprehend what was happening. Then the wave of blood and force ripped through the intersection.

Ren's bracers activated instantly, a barrier of raw force appearing in front of them, catching the blast of blood and flesh.

Thorn was thrown backward, his body tumbling like a ragdoll until he hit the barrier in front of the group, slumping to the floor.

Ren extended the barrier into a dome as blood rained down from above. He gritted his teeth as the shockwave passed, the remnants of the girl spattering across the cobblestones.

After that, all that was left was silence.

"Thorn!" Ren called, dismounting off his horse. He dropped the dome, allowing the blood to fall in a circle around them as he sprinted to Thorn.

Thorn lay sprawled on his stomach, coughing violently. His face was pale, but he groaned, trying to sit up.

"I'm good." He rasped. "I'm... I'm good."