The Second Affinity

At the top of the mountain, he was returned to the outskirts of Castle Desmas, looking upon the hollow castle with a different perspective, now knowing what laid within it. 

I doubt that last move killed it, but it should at least by enough time for us to group up, he thought. 

–Just as he relaxed his guard, what sounded like a bomb sounding off echoed through the entirety of the valley, shifting the air pressure that met his ears as he froze for a moment. 

Whatever the origin of the propulsion of volatile, booming sound was caused a shock wave to scrape against even the summit of the verdant-clad mountain.

As he looked up, turning his gaze back towards the side of the mountain he climbed from, he saw a figure leaping up into the clouds, and past their initial barrier. 

"You're kidding…" He muttered in disbelief.