The ground still shook beneath Kael's feet as he took another step forward, fixing his eyes on the abominable creature that had emerged from the altar. The aberration pulsed in disjointed rhythms, as if it were alive and dead at the same time. Its hands—dozens of them—waved like nervous tentacles, searching for something, anything, to grab onto.
Asuka staggered over to Kael's side, leaning on her katana as if it were the only thing keeping her upright.
"If this thing is the center of the ritual..." she said through clenched teeth, "then destroying it might end everything."
"Or doom everything," Kael murmured, still analyzing the creature, his eyes glowing with the flow of mana. "But we have no choice."
Klee stood behind them, clutching her small backpack with both hands, her eyes fixed on the creature as if it were a nightmare made flesh. Her explosions could help—but using them inside the church would ruin any protection that remained.
