Shattered Hope

"Get away from me!"

Nirosh's scream echoed through the arena, his wide-open eyes clearly showing how terrified he was, that single emotion overriding all the pain he was now feeling.

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

Energy surged through Nirosh, his eyes glowing brightly as the silhouette of a massive blue flower appeared behind him. The tips of the petals trembled, swaying from side to side, bright dots showing at the edges as if before a powerful explosion.

Adam's eyes narrowed.

"Not so fast."

Crackle.

At the same moment, Nirosh's head sank deeper into the wall, shattering his concentration and preventing him from finishing what he'd started.

The silhouette of the flower shuddered, dissipating in quick clots of energy, unable to find its use.

"What happened? Did you think I would wait quietly while you rained down all your powers on me?"