It had only been a matter of time before one of the Cerebus Guild members found them. Alen had hoped it wouldn't be this soon, but fate rarely granted such mercy. The moment he sensed the approaching mana, he knew what was coming.
Beatrix was still moving the last of the survivors to safety, which meant this battle was his alone to face. He exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of responsibility tighten across his chest.
"Guess it's just me, then," he muttered.
He crossed his arms before him, the runes along his gloves flaring to life. Flames burst from his palms, wrapping his forearms in ribbons of molten heat. When he swung both hands outward, the fire twisted and shaped itself, forming two blazing dragons that roared through the air toward their target.
The flames spiraled beautifully, the dragons' bodies coiling as they cut through the hall, their jaws wide open.
"The fact that you're attacking me straight away," the Cerebus mage shouted, "means you already know you're guilty!"
