Before the teenagers could formulate another escape plan, the heavy doors of the throne room groaned under a crushing weight. The reinforced metal buckled inward with a loud shriek of failing hinges.
Krug delivered a front kick to the barricade. The steel doors ripped off their frames and crashed onto the polished floor. A cloud of dense gray dust billowed into the hall.
The Apostle stepped through the ruined entryway. He carried his iron greataxe resting on his shoulder. Violet fire flickered in his eyes. Gorak walked in right behind him while cracking the knuckles of his crystallized right arm. Iron-Scale followed the warlords to secure the perimeter with his drawn star-iron daggers.
Aegir, Ignis-Vael, and Skysu entered the throne room to flank the Vanguard commanders. The Native Gods glared at the high school students who had previously mocked their ancient domains.
