The spear reached him first.
Instinct took over.
Seraph twisted his body just enough for the black spear to miss his heart.
Instead, it tore through his left shoulder.
Blood sprayed across the shattered archive floor.
The impact hurled him backward, smashing him through two stone pillars before he finally rolled to a stop.
Pain exploded through his body.
His vision blurred.
Halo's voice echoed urgently.
[Critical injury detected.]
[Corrosive spiritual energy spreading.]
[Purging... unsuccessful.]
Seraph forced himself to his feet.
His left arm hung uselessly by his side.
The wound refused to close.
Black veins crept across his shoulder, devouring his spiritual energy.
"Seraph!"
Elder Song cut down two assassins before rushing toward him.
"Stay back!" Seraph shouted.
The old man froze.
A second spear slowly emerged from the swirling portal.
It wasn't aimed at Seraph.
It was aimed at Elder Song.
Without thinking, Seraph lunged.
