From the height above, Ambrose hovering had stretched both hands forward, and with grin he whispered the trigger for his theft magic. "Snatch"
In that moment, the hearts of the mages fighting against the other possessed ones, jerked inside their chests
Less than a second later the spell ripped them free.
Their bodies convulsed and some fell instantly. Sprays of blood burst outward as several hearts tore from chests and shot toward Ambrose, whose grin had evolved into sarcastic laughter
Then the world stopped.
The blood splatters froze midair, same as the drifting hearts that hung between Ambrose and the helpless mages.
Thamoryn, who had been shifting between light and physical form, stayed half-shaped and half-illuminated, still in that broken blur.
Talen remained locked mid-motion with his sword caught above his head.
