Page 138 of Riftborne
Seconds flew by, turning into minutes as I watched the orb circle me. My ears were ringing from how hard I fought to track the Wraith. I was going to implode.
Suddenly, an explosion erupted behind us, and the Wraith slowed, just for a split second.
It was all I needed.
I threw the dagger.
And I hit something solid.
A gurgled hiss broke the silence around me, and I fell to the ground.
I climbed up, my feet racing forward through the pain. The valley at the base of the hill came into view.
Hundreds of Base Guards surrounded the giant spire of arcanite, creating a shield of bodies. Walls of fire erupted around the guards and a shimmering dome, what seemed to be a shield, encapsulated the point of the arcanite from above. I watched interror as Wraiths flew toward the giant stone, only to dive back into the shadows. Something tugged at my heart. I had to get down there. I had to help.
Find Laryk.
I extended my web once again and began sprinting down the hill. The orbs lit up around me from the shadows. I veered left, digging my dagger into the mind of a Wraith as it flew back from the flames. I may not have had the full capability of my focus, but at least I could do something.
I dodged the minds that flew in my direction, escaping their attempted vortexes and attacking when I could.
As a Wraith lunged, I dove to the ground, rolling backwards into a crouch. It flew too close to the dome above, becoming disoriented for a split second.
Running as fast as I could, I jumped into the air and slammed my dagger down hard into the shadowy mass, hearing another hiss escape the Wraith as it flew back into the outskirts of the lawn.
As I landed, I caught a glimpse of copper hair to my left.
Laryk.
He was fighting for his life, rolling, dodging, and striking with expertise and precision, but the Wraiths were closing in.
I raced toward him, joining him in battle. We fought side by side as the air around us thinned.
I wasn’t going down.
Not tonight.
My dagger connected with another shadow, sending it shooting off into the darkness.
Everything paused.
The inky forms blasted into the sky in unison, forming a net of blackness above the dome. The officer began sending off fireballs toward the mass, blowing holes right through it. And suddenly, the Wraiths flew into the distance, off behind the fortress and into the night.
Everyone looked around in shock, wondering if it was over. If we had really won. I fell to the ground, catching my breath.
I felt Laryk beside me.
“When did you get there?” he gasped.
“Right before they started the vortex. You couldn’t see me?” I wheezed, coughing from the smoke that surrounded the lawn.
“I couldn’t see anything.” He narrowed his eyes and looked at me. “You could see me?” he asked, confusion lacing his voice.
“Not well, but yes, a little,” I responded.
“You mean, you could see my mind?” he questioned, reaching out for me.
“Well, I wasn’t looking for it. I could see you. Just as you are right now. I mean, it was dark with all of the shadows, but I saw you fighting. It's why I ran over here,” I said as he pulled me up. His brow furrowed before softening.
