Ranrok seemed to be amplifying his spell. Will watched Ranrok's bracers with interest, thinking that Goblin magical craftsmanship was extraordinary.
Professor Fig had not expected this. His spell shattered on contact, and the blow sent him flying. He rolled across the floor several times before coming to a stop in a sorry state.
Just then, the ground trembled. At some point, a layer of silver "water" had begun to rise from the floor, rippling and churning as though it were boiling.
Will saw it clearly: the churning "water" was the hall's floor itself. Something seemed to be rising from beneath it. "Spray" flew as a huge figure emerged.
It was a Guardian.
It looked much like the suits of armor Will had just seen, but it was several times larger, standing several stories tall. Gray-white stone covered its body, which was carved with intricate magical patterns.
The patterns glowed with a cold, deathly blue light. The Guardian planted itself in the center of the hall, an imposing sight.
Then Will noticed a wall begin to distort, revealing another scene: a jungle at night. He suspected it was another portal.
Clack, clack, clack— Stone ground loudly against stone.
The Guardian raised a massive blue-glowing sword and brought it down on Ranrok. Its edge was so thick it hardly looked sharp at all.
Ranrok dodged. He was fast.
His two men were not. One was "crushed" by the Guardian's sword and died on the spot; the other narrowly escaped being stepped on.
Ranrok's eyes burned red. He raised both hands, red light pouring from his palms, and unleashed a powerful spell.
The spell struck the Guardian head-on. A dull, explosive crack sounded from its body, and chunks of stone flew.
Ranrok gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead. His hands moved