The black sphere settled around Parahdon, cutting the capital away from the night sky as the last traces of mana disappeared into Max's body. The Imperial soldiers surrounding him tried to activate their weapons again, but the golden runes remained dark, leaving them with nothing more than ordinary steel in their hands.
Max continued walking toward them.
The first soldier rushed forward while shouting for the others to attack. His sword never reached Max. Black mist rose from the ground and wrapped around his arm, spreading beneath the armor before pulling every trace of mana from his body. The man stumbled, his skin rapidly losing color as the void continued taking more, dragging away the heat in his blood and the strength holding him upright.
He collapsed before Max's feet, but the darkness did not release him. His flesh dried against his bones, his eyes sank into their sockets, and the last remains of his body broke apart into black dust before being swallowed by the mist.
