The Magus opened his palm. With a single thought, a violent shockwave erupted from him like a bomb of raw energy.
Ben sensed it a heartbeat too late. He turned sharply, planting his feet and raising his pickaxe.
BAM!
The blast struck him dead on. The force sent him flying, wind howling in his ears. But Ben twisted mid-air, angling his body toward the base.
He crashed down beside Elvira, stone cracking beneath him. His body steamed, smoke rising from his armor.
The chiting armor was split down one side,And yet, his hand never left the weapon.
He rose slowly, eyes locked forward. "Elvira, barrier. Now."
"I'm already on it!" she snapped, her voice unusually tight.
Magic circle appeared on her hand. The circle lit up like a sunburst, spreading across the structure in a lattice of glowing threads. A translucent dome of mana snapped into place over them multi-layered, reinforced, anchored by white gemstones.
