For a few seconds after the fire burst faded, the forest remained silent.
The younger sorcerer knelt there with his staff half raised, breathing heavily as blood ran slowly down his chin. His final spell had been weak. Even he knew that. His body had already reached its limit. Mana no longer flowed through his veins with the same strength it once had. His hands trembled while he tried to gather another spark of magic.
The blood owl stood only a few steps away.
Its enormous body rose above him like a dark tower made of feathers and blood.
The creature's eyes burned with crimson light as it stared down at the two exhausted sorcerers.
The defensive mage tried to stand behind his companion, yet his legs would barely move. His mana core felt empty. The shield that had protected them earlier had vanished completely. The air around him felt heavy and cold as he realized there was nothing left he could do.
The owl stepped forward.
