"GRKKKHHHH—"
The zombie lunged, breaking free from the roots that had bound it to the cracked concrete floor. With a guttural roar, blackened blood spraying as torn vines snapped.
"Brother—!" Kevin cried hoarsely.
Ashrik had snapped back to reality. In a split second, he saw tears stream from the zombie's cloudy eyes. The droplets carved wet tracks down a face, still carrying a faint shadow of humanity.
WHOOSH!
Ashrik moved before the zombie could attack Kevin and Isaac. Ice surged from his palms, faster and colder than usual. It wrapped around the zombie's limbs, sealing its twisted joints in a coffin of translucent frost.
WHAM!
"GRRKKHHH!"
The zombie slammed against the ice, growling. Its forehead cracked the surface as its breath came out in ragged, foggy gasps.
"Brother!"
"Stop!"
Kevin dashed forward, but Isaac quickly grabbed him by the collar. The young man struggled out of his grasp, but his strength was nothing against the fire wielder.
