Elira hurried behind Ethan.
Seraphine looked at him curiously, wondering how he had sensed the danger in advance.
Ethan didn't explain.
The white barrier around them suddenly vanished.
One second later, it reappeared.
In that single unprotected second, the dark blue soil crept several inches closer to the beach. Once the barrier returned, it stopped again.
Ethan studied the blue mud near his feet, his expression turning grave.
Elira hid behind him, frightened, as the Divine Sovereign Moth's wings slowly spread. An eye opened on the surface of one wing, watching the shifting soil alongside her.
"Master…"
Elira lowered her voice and pulled the hand she'd reached out back to her chest.
"What is that?"
Ethan glanced at her but didn't answer right away.
He tossed the white energy sphere in his palm beyond the barrier. It sailed across the beach and into the dark blue forest, lighting up row after row of stained trees along the way.
Ethan shook his head.
