The projection blurred again, a flicker of spatial distortion streaking across the illusion field—then it snapped back into focus with a sudden crack of thunder.
Not the battlefield thunder of clashing spells or collapsing biomes.
No—this was louder. Closer.
More chaotic.
A lightning bolt split the screen, dancing in an erratic arc across the cracked forest floor, singeing two monsters and accidentally shattering the remains of a broken rune pillar in the process.
"Ah-ha—NOPE, not today! You furry spell-eating acid-fanged nightmares, I see you!" the voice rang out, high-pitched and panicked, as the familiar figure of the lightning mage burst onto the screen in a whirl of sparks and flailing limbs.
"Oh, stars," Aurelian muttered. "It's him again."
"Sparkjaw," Selphine sighed, rubbing her temple with the grace of someone already bracing for a headache. "Or whatever he's calling himself."
