Before Aesmirius and Sylvathar's clash had erupted, Mystica and Magnus had already succeeded in locating Caelum, Sylas, Tharionson, Regulus, and Varyn.
Regulus and Varyn, though caught in the fringes of Sylvathar's mystic pulse, had managed to shield themselves quickly enough to avoid fatal damage—though their armor bore cracks, and their breath came uneven. Tharionson had collapsed entirely, not just from the weight of Sylvathar's aura but from exhaustion—he had already fought two hybrid generals in a brutal engagement prior. His myst reserves were depleted, and his body had finally given out.
But it was Caelum and Sylas who had taken the worst of it.
Sylas had suffered a brutal, ironic injury—his own ice-forged spear had been dislodged in the chaos and driven straight through his abdomen, the jagged blade erupting from his lower back in a grotesque exit wound. Blood soaked his robes, and his breath was barely audible, his heartbeat flickering near silence.
