Slipping away

Leena noticed Xander was in pain and immediately turned to him. "Xander? What's wrong? Talk to me!"

"I'm fine. It's nothing," Xander replied, lifting his head and staring back at her with bloodshot eyes.

"You don't look alright." Leena tried to take a better look at his face, but he turned away from her.

"Just do your job. Talk to that bastard and see if you can convince him to surrender," Xander said, walking past her and attacking the protective dome surrounding the cultist.

A blade of violet light streaked through the air as Xander swung his scythe with both hands. The charged attack shattered the barrier in an instant, leaving the cultist at his mercy. However, he held back, allowing Leena to try and resolve things peacefully.