Mujin’s expression isn’t one of wrath, but ofcontempt, as he marshals the priests at his back to shoot towardme.
Unconcerned that Eraya is between us.
Willing to discard a tool that has served its purpose to him.
I break off what I’m doing, changing gears to another kata to defend Eraya, but I already know I didn’t see it fast enough, didn’t pay enough attention to what Mujin could manage because of my contempt forhim—
Eraya’s smile, a final gift, a finalstab, because she knows—
Iridescent tendrils of magic form a solid blast from the priests.
But before they move, Mujin falls over.
It takes me a second to realize what just happened, but it’sTeren.
Teren, who’s been making Mujin comfortable with his presence, punched behind his knees so he collapsed.
And it’s like a switch goes off in Eraya’s brain, and shemoves, throwing herself toward Teren.
But the Order’s magic still launches, but it goes off-course. Not at Eraya, not at me—
I barely have time to think,Oh shit,Nomi, I can’t be everywhere—
But then Zan is there, because I’m not alone anymore—
And he takes the full force of the hit.
My brain snaps.
All at once, it’s like I’m back in the mode of meditation, alone looking down from above.
Zan, collapsing.
Eraya, tackling Teren before Mujin can turn on him, then seizing and screaming as Mujin snarls and begins draining her life through the magical hold he has on her.
Nomi and a band of Crystal Hollowers surging around Zan’s crumpled form, screaming in Mujin’s face, distracting him longenough for Nomi and Haben to bodily pull TerenandEraya back to our side, the Sanctuary side.
Back to Zan, whom they form a wall of bodies in front of as if to say, He is ours.
And I realize I am screaming, because he ismine.
And he has a place here, he always has.
I am screaming.
I am screaming for Zan, as I feel power flood out of my body.
With an explosion, the intense aura around me bursts outward in a shockwave.
I know in my bones the size of Sanctuary Island; know exactly how big my shield must be to encompass it all.
The Order does not get to kill a dragon today.
They definitely don’t get to killmydragon.
And they don’t get to kill anyone else, either.
But:
