Max's body trembled violently, his muscles convulsing beneath the tremendous strain, yet the ancient voice continued speaking through his lips without the slightest difficulty, as though it remained entirely unaffected by the suffering of its vessel.
Suddenly, his eyes shot open, the crimson radiance completely consuming his dark pupils until nothing of their original color remained. The unnatural glow intensified with every passing moment, becoming so overwhelming that those unfortunate enough to meet his gaze froze where they stood, their hands still gripping whatever they had been holding out of sheer instinct, while their consciousness seemed to have been stripped away.
From the side, they almost appeared hypnotized, their vacant eyes staring toward Max, completely unaware of the destruction unfolding around them.
"Don't look into his eyes! Lower your gazes to the ground!" the old shaman barked, her voice carrying across the village despite the howling winds.
