While on the city streets, Shade had not truly understood what the second wave of the Bug Tide meant. But when the Moonlight Dragon carried the Witches through the shield above the city, Shade immediately felt as though he had plunged into a swarm of buzzing flies.
Paradox Worms filled every place his eyes could see. Because these insects had been born from different stories and had slumbered for different lengths of time, the differences between individuals were enormous. But that did not stop them from noticing the gigantic dragon emerging from the city. Nearly every bug within a hundred meters of Shade rushed toward them.
"Moonlight Breath!"
Pure silver moonlight sprayed in every direction, sweeping the White Fog from the night sky clean. But only a few bugs directly struck by the Moon Fire staggered out of the battle zone. More insects completely ignored the power of the moonlight, beating their wings together and exhaling white mist at the dragon from all directions.
The white mist that warped time and decayed matter came into contact with the glowing scales of the Moonlight Dragon, yet it likewise had no effect on the dragon's body. This level of Power of Time was still far from enough to affect Shade.
Thus, while both sides had accomplished nothing, Shade only needed to carefully protect Megan and the newly appeared Audrey behind him. After the dragon's and bugs' first exchange of attacks, the twin Witches holding hands reminded him:
"Don't move too far away from the Ritual Matrix set up by The Church. Within the ritual's range of influence, these bugs' Power of Time will be greatly weakened. If you want to destroy them, use the method we discussed before to draw upon the ritual's power and strengthen yourself. The power of this ritual