A new set of figures appeared as the glow thinned. Five crimson silhouettes stepped forward, tall and graceful, with long hair flowing behind them. Pointed ears, bowstrings gleaming in their hands, Elves.
But not ordinary ones. Their eyes glowed an unnatural red, and faint veins of crimson Essence crawled beneath their skin.
All five raised their bows at once. Crimson and green light flared as arrows of condensed Essence formed on their strings. They released together.
The air screamed.
Five arrows shot forward at impossible speed, crossing the distance in less than a heartbeat. I swung my staff horizontally, channeling Essence to reinforce it just in time.
The arrows slammed into it with enough force to shake my arms violently. My feet scraped against the path as I was pushed back several steps before the arrows finally disintegrated into sparks.
"Powerful," I muttered under my breath.
