The soldiers and knights who had escaped from Noctis felt their bodies freeze as the scene before them triggered memories they wished they could forget. Their minds went back to that night when a fireball like a burning meteor slammed into the gates of Noctis and shattered them apart. Some of them trembled, their breaths coming in short and broken gasps.
The sound of that destruction still lived inside their bones.
Now, as another fireball came falling from the sky, they braced for impact. Many closed their eyes, some clenched their teeth, waiting for death.
BOOOOOOOM!
A massive shockwave hit the walls and flames rolled outward. But instead of breaking apart, the wall glowed bright. A barrier of swirling magic lit up and held its ground.
Kai's eyes narrowed. His voice came out low and surprised.
"An array of magic circles."
