Energy immediately began gathering. In an instant, Fire Blast took shape and streaked toward the Soul Arrow Malacrass had launched, trailing a long tail.
A moment later, flame and soul arrow collided and exploded, sending a scorching wind sweeping past. Malacrass was powerful. Having already reached the seventh tier, he had mastered hexes that could directly affect the physical world. He was far from ordinary.
However, Malacrass currently had to divide his attention to oversee the ritual, channeling the captured power of the Animal Gods into Halazzi. This greatly restricted the Hex Lord's strength, which was good news for the elves.
"Let me go alone from here. Troll spellcasters are difficult to deal with. Keep the surrounding troll foot soldiers in check for me, and let me face Zul'Aman's Hex Lord alone," Patrick told Alleria.
"But wouldn't that be a little..." Alleria stopped halfway through. Seeing Patrick's resolute gaze, she swallowed the rest of her words.
"We'll wait here for you so we can return to the Sun Temple together."
"Mm..." Patrick smiled faintly, agreeing to Alleria's request.
Patrick channeled arcane energy and slowly floated toward the troll altar directly ahead. Akil'zon and Nalorakk both stood behind Malacrass. The prolonged fighting had left both troll deities injured and considerably more weary.
Watching Patrick slowly approach the altar, Malacrass could not help laughing. His powerful soul force told him that the approaching elven spellcaster was only at the sixth tier. In Malacrass's eyes, coming to face him alone seemed like courting death.
"It seems you're ready to face your nightmare." Malacrass's words reached Patrick's ears directly through spiritual power, spoken in standard Common. It seemed the troll spellcasting class did possess some knowledge and learning, rather than knowing nothing but savage blood sacrifices.
Patrick could not help smiling. He raised his