Diffraction

Chapter Thirty-Seven: Spiral Shadows

"The protection of the Apasphura extends to one only. In the end, the General shall stand alone, surrounded by corpses and foes."

Kristophe looked west from the Tower's parapets. The line of Bloodsworn infuriated him, and he launched massive fireballs at the invaders. I will not die here.

That's not for you to decide, pupil.

Anger welled within him. Got anything helpful to teach me, oh great Master? Because now would be a scarring good time for it.

Coreleth sent nothing through the link. But Kristophe picked up a bitter sense of futility from the unflappable Grand Instructor. And it shook him to his core.

Gritting his teeth, he Bound more aera and shoved it into flames to launch more fireballs at the advancing Bloodsworn.

Coreleth strode across the wide platform and stood beside Kristophe. She watched his technique with a critical eye.

Really, Master, at this point I could not care less what you think of my abilities.

He flung two more fireballs, incinerating a few Bloodsworn.

"I wish we'd gotten you a proper Arcanist's robe," Coreleth said.

Curious, he glanced at her crimson attire. The silk looked comfortable enough. And the gold sunbursts across the front below the waist lent some sense of refinement. Further trimwork along the sleeves in the shape of swooping birds of prey perhaps gave the robe an imposing air.

She stretched out her hand and Bound air, forcing it into a fireball. "You've never seen Circuits in action, I suspect."

"No," he answered. "What are they?"

"All the pretty trim on my robe," she said with a smile. "If you know what purpose they serve, it's imposing indeed."

She released the fireball toward the Bloodsworn, and the sunbursts on her robe flashed, one then the other. With each flash, she loosed another fireball from her hands. Then the two hawks brightened, left first then right. Two jagged spheres of ice hurtled toward the Bloodsworn.

"You just cast five spells at once while mixing elements," Kristophe blurted. "That's not allowed—I mean, it's not even possible."

Think through what you saw. Rapid succession is much different than "at once."

Kristophe watched the flames engulf several Bloodsworn. The ice spheres exploded into sharp fragments and cut through those nearby.

They're devices woven into the garment, Coreleth explained. They can be charged with energy, held for a time, and drained to release the spellcast at the desired moment.

More savages filled the places left by the fallen. The ring closed tighter, working its way through the warcamp toward the Tower. The Bloodsworn tore into unarmed servants and slew the horses at the stables. They rent the canvas tent of a healing station and slaughtered the Friars and Devoted who ministered there. Then they carved the wounded, catching some who crawled away in desperation.

They're showing off, Kristophe thought, letting us know what's coming, shattering any hope we have left.

Beside him Coreleth sighed. "If so, it's working." She pointed at the base of the Tower.