SAGE

Fighting against black magic was… draining.

The realization hit me dimly as I lay sprawled against the scorched earth, my vision swimming, the world tilting in and out of focus.

The taste of iron filled my mouth and my limbs felt heavy—too heavy—like something unseen was steadily siphoning strength straight from my bones. Shapes blurred above me and voices echoed like they were underwater.

"Yes," El’s voice came tightly. "It is draining you. That strike was meant to leech your power."

I forced air into my lungs as she continued, "You must attack her at full force. If you allow her to keep pressing like this, she will bleed...