The alleyway in Sector 4 was silent, but it was no longer dark.
The shadows that had formed the Void Cage had been shattered, not by a spell, but by a sheer, concussive detonation of golden light. The air smelled of ozone and scorched stone.
Dain Ragnor stood in the center of the crater his shield had made. The golden glow that had erupted from his chest was fading, flickering out like a dying ember, retreating back into his skin. He was panting, his breath coming in ragged, confused gasps. His massive tower shield, which had been glowing white-hot a moment ago, cooled rapidly, the metal groaning as it contracted.
He looked at his hands. They were trembling. He looked at Kaelan, who was staring at him with wide, terrified eyes. He looked at Lia, whose hands were no longer purple and necrotic, but pink and healthy.
"Dain..." Kaelan whispered, his voice cracking. "What... what in the hells was that?"
