The scream pierced the air like a thousand needles, sending Meredith and Jasper reeling backward. Their senses scattered, minds blank for precious seconds as the sound clawed through their skulls.
Auren, no stranger to horror, had already acted. When their vision cleared, a crimson blade pulsed in his grip, buried deep in the creature's flesh. The unholy wail died in its throat, cut short by Withering Fate's bite.
[You have slain a Major Blighted, Lost Voice]
[You have devoured a curse]
[The Curse in your soul grows stronger]
[You have gained a Shard]
Auren's eyes narrowed as the creature crumbled at his feet. He glanced up to meet the stunned faces of his companions, Jasper's jaw slack with disbelief.
His fingers uncurled from the hilt of Withering Fate. The blade dissolved into crimson mist before it could touch the ground.
He strode toward them, voice steady as still water.
