From the earlier battle inside the ruin, the Elder was already spent; his energy drained to the last thread.
The guardian puppets who had stood at the forefront not long before now lay motionless nearby, armors cracked open like a broken shell.
There was no one left who could truly stop them.
Lina's brows knit tightly as she watched yet another defensive formation crumble beneath Vearos's relentless advance.
Only she could restrain them now.
If she cast the advancing forces into an Illusion Domain, she might stall their march and give the others time to escape.
She had contained him once. Now that he knew her illusion, a second time would not hold him for long.
Still, there was no other choice.
"I-I'll buy time," Lina said. "Prepare the ship to escape."
"That will not be necessary." A soft voice drifted from her left.
Lina quickly turned toward the sound.
