"What's the meaning of this?" Josiah demanded, aether swirling through his tongue. "You—"
"I assumed you'd all be well-versed in your own language," Augustus' sigh carried the exhaustion of an ancient goddess tired of playing a board game. "You've done your best to find me all these weeks. Now here I am. Except…"
He lifted a hand, dark energy dancing between each finger like mini fireworks. "... Now I don't have to hold back. Not as much as before."
Magnus' eyes darted to his great-grandson on instinct.
Augustus released the energy sizzling between his fingers. It snaked toward the A-Rank, burning the air before it even got to him.
BOOMMMMM!
A phoenix-shaped shield of golden flames appeared before the boy before it could strike him.
The ensuing explosion rattled the room, making the glass façade and a good portion of the building tremble. Leo was sent backing away as the SS-ranks stood side by side, their respective powers activating.
No more questions were asked.
