The wind screamed across the jagged peaks of the Hollow Crown as Ren, Lilith, and Thorn crept forward, their feet crunching over scorched rock.
The Bloom of Ashes flickered ahead like a cozy flame in the middle of a cold camp. Warm. Comforting. They could feel it even from where they stood.
The Thunderwyrm stirred beside it, a mountain of dark scales and slumbering violence.
Static clung to the air, snapping at their skin. Every footstep somehow echoed louder than it should have, and each breath rattled in their lungs.
It was as if everything was moving in slow motion. As if a deity up in the sky was watching it all in anticipation.
Ren held up his hand. "Ready?"
Thorn gave a grim nod, already flexing his bone arm, the white surface rattling softly as it elongated and sharpened.
Lilith's fingers twitched as she built up a storm of soul energy within herself. She stared straight ahead, her gaze locked on the wyrm, unblinking.
"Go."
