Lyra noticed her, as expected. Arthur had already planned for that.
Althea's voice came again.
"Go!"
As a second glow wrapped around Nox, speed surged through her. Her body reacted instantly, her steps turning lighter and quicker as her eyes widened.
"…Oh!"
She didn't slow down. If anything, she sped up.
"Coming through!"
As Lyra's attention shifted, even if only slightly, it was enough.
Arthur's eyes flashed.
Now.
As Nox closed in, she didn't aim for the core, and she didn't even look at it. Instead, she went straight for Lyra. Simple. Direct.
"Move!"
She pushed forward, her body colliding into Lyra's space. It wasn't strong or overwhelming, but it was enough to force a reaction.
Lyra stepped back. Just one step.
And Arthur was already moving.
As his hand lifted, fire gathered.. not scattered this time, instead he focused and condensed it. Manifest Intent!.
He didn't aim at her. He aimed at where she would step.
"Taste this."
He released it.
BOOM.
