The violet-gold storm of Will's aura cast long, jerking shadows against the dying cavern. He stood at the edge of the glassed crater, his mana pool thrumming with a depth that felt like an ocean pressed behind a dam.
But the entity that had gifted him the sun was fading.
The Level 75+ Metal Phoenix folded its wings. The roaring plasma in its feathers dimmed into a dull, cooling gray, brittle as charcoal. It looked at the bubbling pools of acidic sap and the necrotic rot. It had passed its blessing to the man who killed the parasite, but the poison had sunk too deep. The ancient redwood was bleeding out.
"It's looking at us again," Don whispered, his voice cracking. He held his empty crossbow like a club. "Will, tell me it's a 'thank you' look and not a 'you're my next meal' look. I'm really tired of being scrutinized by things that can melt my face."
"It's not hungry, Don," Maddie grunted, though she didn't lower her sign-halberd. "It's just... finishing the job."
