Alex noticed it a moment later.
It was foul enough to reach them through the smoke of the battle. He had smelled blood and burned flesh throughout the city. This was different, and it was becoming stronger.
Thepes's head turned toward the smell as well.
Mingyue struck before he could turn fully toward the source. Her blades drove him away from Alex's side, giving Alex a brief view of the service yard.
A small barrier stood between damaged warehouses.
Green smoke rolled inside it. More leaked above the surrounding walls and spread along the ground outside. A dark red shape moved at the center whenever the smoke thinned.
Alex could feel the power gathering there.
It was not part of the ruined pit they had left behind.
"Vesa, did that form during the fight?"
"No. Someone prepared it."
