The Yllithor beast's eye flared without warning, a beam of raw energy striking Lanse square in the chest. The shockwave hurled all five Guardians down the jagged mountainside below Primus HQ.
Szedra and Zack reacted instantly, conjuring protective orbs of Metasyne energy around themselves, Zino, and the falling Lanse. Tess's salvation came from her own dark energy, wrapping her in an obsidian sphere.
Static still clung to Lanse's body as he floated in Szedra's levitated orb, unconscious and pale.
Sensei's voice cut sharp through their telecoms. "Back to the jet. Now."
"That thing's awake," Zack stammered.
"Not exactly," Sensei replied, summoning a hologram—the Yllithor's eye now petrified into stone.
Their gazes returned to Lanse.
Szedra reached toward him—and screamed. Images tore through her mind: fog-choked streets, bent lamp posts, something vast with four glowing red eyes looming in the haze.
"Zee!" Zino appeared in a flash, catching her before she hit the ground.
