Xarvenya planted a hand against the ground, her fingers digging into the shattered earth as she forced herself onto one knee. Crimson energy continued to leak from her arm, the backlash having torn apart several of the channels she had used to concentrate her attack. However, the damage itself meant very little compared to the humiliation of what had just happened.
Someone had interfered with her power, and she hadn't even managed to sense how.
"Sorry, sorry! My apologies for that. I might have been a little too rough." The voice carried an almost cheerful air, without the slightest hint of genuine regret. "You see, I've taken quite an interest in these two young sword geniuses, and it would be a terrible waste to allow you to kill them here. I hope you'll forgive me for interfering."
Xarvenya's crimson eyes narrowed. Whoever this was, his casual tone did nothing to hide the fact that he had just reached across an unknown distance and overwhelmed her control of her own attack.
