Just as Lorgar turned, sweeping his gaze toward the shadows on the other side of the Hall—
Beneath his feet.
The seemingly solid floor, covered in scorch marks and molten, glassy residue, came "alive" without warning.
The thin surface layer, a mixture of metal dust, ash, and sand Saladin had scattered earlier, instantly surged upward like a living fluid!
Countless fine, dry grains of golden sand lashed around Lorgar's ankles like vicious vines and iron clamps, then rapidly spread upward to cover his greaves!
This sand was no ordinary dust. It contained Saladin's residual psychic energy, and every grain seemed to be a miniature hook. Not only did it exert tremendous physical restraint, it also tried to burrow into the joints of his Power Armour and erode the cushioning inside. It even produced an uncanny suction, as though it meant to drag Lorgar into a bottomless quicksand abyss beneath his feet!
Lorgar's body abruptly sank, but the golden flames in his eyes merely flickered. He showed no trace of panic.
Almost the instant the restraints caught him, his combat instincts and knowledge of Saladin's abilities told him exactly what his enemy intended.
Restrict his movement, create an opening, then deliver a killing blow.
Lorgar reacted with astonishing speed. Before the sand could completely lock his legs in place, the muscles in his right arm bulged. Ignoring the searing pain from the golden fissures beneath his skin, he raised the Greatsword high above his head.
Then he pointed its tip downward, ready to drive psychic fire and physical destructive force into the ground with an all-out thrust, scattering or even purifying these clinging Tentacles of sand!
The blade began to descend, golden flames gathering at its tip into a dazzling point of light.
But Saladin's killing moves never had just one