The air around the Vestige froze. Ice spiraled up its legs, locking its joints.
Then Lark landed, right in front of it, and slammed his staff into the creature's knee.
A crunch.
The leg bent backward.
The Vestige fell.
It thrashed, stabbing wild arcs through the air.
Lark ducked low, swiped a curved dagger from inside his sleeve, and carved a glowing sigil across the metal chestplate.
The sigil pulsed.
Tick.
Tick.
Boom.
A controlled blast erupted outward, flinging the Vestige through the ruins.
It rolled and scraped to a stop, its armor smoking, half its helm gone.
But it didn't stay down.
It dragged itself upright, roaring louder, now crackling with red energy. Its body rebuilt itself from debris, pulling in nearby metal to reinforce its frame.
Lark sighed. "Always the stubborn ones."
The Vestige charged again, faster.
Lark planted his foot.
Time shimmered beneath him in rings.
The Vestige stabbed forward.
