Zayne didn't have time to think. The moment he shook the demon off and started moving again, Vel'Zorath raised a jagged hand — and the castle itself obeyed.
A massive obsidian wall erupted beside him, its edges still hot from conjuration. It hurtled straight toward Zayne like a battering ram.
Zayne turned — but it was too close.
Then suddenly — snap—crack—pull.
Roots.
Hanari's doing.
From far below, her Forest Creation reached out like desperate fingers. Gnarled roots whipped around the dark wall mid-air, halting its momentum just inches from Zayne's back. Bark cracked. Veins of green light pulsed through the wood as it held the black stone back — just barely.
Zayne didn't hesitate.
He kicked off the twisted floor, leaping through the opening before the roots were crushed completely. The castle groaned behind him — rooms still shifting, walls moving like the innards of some ancient beast.
But he was in motion now, moving fast. Left hand bleeding, jaw clenched.
