The sea wind howled, whipping broken waves against an invisible energy barrier. The air reeked of sulfur, death, and the rot of the Abyss.
Night Cherry Tangle had vanished into the deepest shadows at the edge of the turbulent sea. He was like moss clinging to a gap in a giant beast's scales: insignificant, yet dangerously close.
His senses stretched taut as spider silk, catching every current of energy and every subtle shift in the gods' wills.
In the distance, the terrifying pressure unleashed by the Lord of Lava and the Lord of Torture hung like two swords of Damocles, drawing most of the attention of the beings at the center of the sea.
The Night Lady's power formed an indescribable veil, leaving perception in the area hazy and sluggish.
"Now!" Dies Martin's voice pierced Night Cherry Tangle's mind like a cold, poisoned needle. "The Wither Chanter is distracted! She fears the lava's flames of destruction! Go!"
He needed no further orders.
The aura Night Cherry Tangle had suppressed to its limit erupted!
He was no longer a hidden shadow. He became a streak of darkness honed to its utmost edge!
The Shadow Sword gave an eager cry that had been held back for far too long. At its tip gathered all his Divine Fire, his will, and a trace of the Source of Deceit that Dies Martin had quietly infused into it.
Like a black meteor piercing the night, he shot forward at a speed beyond mortal comprehension. Without raising the slightest disturbance, he drove straight toward the figure hesitating at the edge of the Chaos Energy storm—Wither Chanter Electra!
Fast!
Unbelievably fast!
From concealment to attack, it all happened in a flash!
The withered petals and gray ribbons circling Electra instinctively sensed the mortal threat. They contracted at