The salty sea breeze whipped across the wide beach, carrying the distant roar of waves and the sharp, metallic scent of incoming danger. A massive horde of twisted shadow monsters—hulking, jagged things with glowing red eyes—spilled out from the black tear in the sky, crashing onto the sand like a living nightmare.
I stood there at the front, breathing hard, one hand pressed to my side. Sweat rolled down my temple and dripped off my jaw. My whole body felt like someone had sucked the life out of it. For the first time in forever, I was completely tapped out.
Still, I forced a smirk and raised my voice so it carried over the growing panic of the crowd gathered behind me.
"So all of my shadow mystics are here now!?"
Seven girls snapped to attention in perfect sync. Their voices boomed back as one, loud enough to shake the air.
"YES MASTER!!"
The sound hit like a shockwave. Even the monsters paused for a split second.
