As his hands removed the dirt from her face, James's eyes widened in shock. He recognised some of the features he was seeing; his sharp instincts took over, and his right hand unsheathed his sword hilt in one fluid motion.
ZAP!
Lightning struck before James could move another muscle. The bolt crashed down with devastating power. Breaking through a powerful treasure pendant that absorbed most of the shock, but not all. Electricity coursed through James's body instantly, paralysing him mid-draw.
Alyssa didn't waste the opening. Her dagger appeared from beneath her cloak, driving upward toward James's heart with all her strength.
Whoosh!
A translucent barrier materialised around James at the last instant. One of the outcasts had reacted with impressive speed, using a tank skill to protect their leader from lethal damage.
Unfortunately, the killing blow didn't land.
