Cassien's smile slowly widened beneath the mask. For the first time since entering this underground nightmare, the six-horned leader hesitated. Only slightly. Only for a second. But Cassien saw it, and that was enough. The moment uncertainty appeared, people began questioning themselves. The moment people questioned themselves, mistakes followed.
The six-horned leader slowly turned toward the giant crystal.
Boom.
Purple light washed across the chamber, causing several prisoners to scream while others simply hung motionless within their cages. The academy guard groaned weakly as corruption continued spreading beneath his skin like countless tiny parasites. The leader stared at the crystal for several long seconds, seemingly calculating something before finally speaking.
"The vessel is contaminated?"
Cassien nodded confidently.
"It is."
"How?"
"Academy mana."
