"Divine Dread."
A small feminine voice echoed within the place.
Before Ragnar could turn, something hit, blasting all over his body.
Like thousands of needles puncturing his entire body.
Ragnar waved his hand, blasting away whatever was touching him.
He quickly pulled himself as he felt a mild burning throughout his whole body.
Ragnar slowly looked up, ignoring the stinging pain.
Mariam stood a few steps away from him, with her trembling hands extended towards him.
Ragnar tilted his head. "What did you—?"
His words halted as a drop of blood leaked out of his lips.
"Cough!"
Ragnar coughed more and more blood out of his mouth.
His gaze turned towards his hand as he saw vines crawling under his skin.
Ragnar's breath grew heavier with each passing second.
The vines crept like veins of fire beneath his skin, writhing and tightening, as if the earth itself had invaded his body.
