The earth sealed above him.
Through the narrowing gap of soil and roots, he saw her. Black Fang stood on the surface with thousands closing from every direction, her katana raised, venom dripping from the edge, the spell she cast burning violet in her veins.
Her purple eyes found his through the closing dark.
Her lips moved.
"Show no mercy."
The earth closed and he was falling, Rosie's roots and Blossom's arms dragging him down, and his fingerless hands clawed at the dirt because she was still up there, she was still fighting, and he couldn't-
"No!"
Quinlan's body lurched upright and the word tore out of him before his eyes were open.
Pain hit second. Everything from his arms to his mana channels screamed at once as the sudden motion pulled at wounds that hadn't finished closing. His vision swam. The room came in blurred shapes, warm light, a ceiling too high to be underground.
Soft fingers traced lines across his bare chest, warm with healing magic.
