The gold radiance of the Light Spirit's barrier glimmered faintly above the treeline, a vast dome of one of the oldest and most powerful magics stretching into the distance.
Even from here, Roland could feel the strain in its pulse, the subtle warping in its form where enemy blows had landed again and again.
The air carried the acrid stench of demon corruption, and the distinct sound of battle rang out as the boy got closer to the edge of the barrier.
There, Renar's forces stood in ragged lines before the barrier, shields locked, spears raised, while fighting with a discipline that barely masked their exhaustion.
Each and every one of them was counting the minutes they had until the new wave of demons managed to pierce through the barrier.
They had already dealt with dozens of them, but the horde gathering beyond it was relentless.
A ripple of light announced Roland's arrival as Lucien's teleportation magic faded behind him.
