The beads continued forming one after another. A golden bead appeared next. Each new bead caused another violent pulse to erupt from Max's hearts, increasing the intensity of the flames surrounding his body.
The ground beneath him began to crack as waves of scorching pressure spread across the ruined landscape.
Aragon grew more excited as he watched the transformation unfold. A wide grin stretched across his face as he repeatedly cracked his knuckles, rolled his shoulders and twisted his neck from side to side, loosening every part of his enormous body as though preparing for the battle he had waited his entire life to experience.
Crimson magic danced around him in increasingly violent waves, forcing the two remaining Imperial Court commanders farther away. Neither dared to resist. Their eyes remained fixed upon the headless corpse of their fallen companion, but whatever grief they felt was quickly overwhelmed by the terror gripping their hearts.
