"Magic does not work on that creature," the warrior said. "You can beat us, but it is not enough to kill the white god."
"It is not a god," Ludwig said.
The chains loosened and fell away, fading back into purple motes.
The man stood slowly.
"And if it's power you want…"
Wrath stirred beneath Ludwig's skin.
Not fully released yet.
Only awakening.
A pressure like war remembering its own name. The air tightened. Tull felt it and stepped back despite himself. The nearby humans stiffened. The children flinched. Even the dead-living trees seemed to lean away.
Kaiser appeared beside Ludwig instantly.
His red finger pressed against Ludwig's arm.
"Don't do it."
Ludwig looked at him.
Kaiser's expression had lost all amusement.
"It'll resonate," he said quietly. "They know each other. If you use Wrath here, Sloth will sense it. It was already risky when you used a thread of it to frighten the children. Doing it for real will make Sloth act."
Ludwig held still.
Wrath wanted out.
