Chaos erupted.
A ring of fire flared instantly to Merlin's left, Ethan, his green eyes burning as his blade swept wide, flames carving through the sand.
A dozen students reeled back, some countering with jets of water, others hurling chunks of stone ripped from the ground.
To his right, Seraphina's ice blossomed across the dunes, jagged walls erupting in perfect, crystalline arcs. Students skidded across slick surfaces, daggers and blades clashing, frost crawling up their boots.
Shadows darted between them, Dorian, his pale hair flashing as his twin daggers cut through confusion. His movements were precise, ruthless, like a predator weaving through prey.
Nathan's laughter carried over the din, sharp and reckless. "Come on, then!" He blurred in lightning, daggers sparking as he clashed with a cluster of students who'd decided strength in numbers was their only hope.
