The air itself seemed to crackle, charged with the raw, violent energy coiling around Ms. Michelle's fists. The sight was so alien, so utterly divorced from the composed, corporate facade she always wore, that it stole the breath from everyone watching. Ms. Michelle was technically was a warrior unleashed, rather than their history teacher.
The Riftborn horde, momentarily stunned by the concussive blast that had sent their comrades flying, seemed to recalibrate. The grinning girl at the rear let out a shrill, piercing shriek that was less a sound and more a psychic command. The horde surged forward again, but this time with a renewed, singular purpose: overwhelm this new, glowing threat through sheer numbers.
Michelle met them head-on.
