Spatial matrices destabilized mid-formation. The crafts shuddered violently as Essence flooded their cores. One after another, the vessels ruptured from within. Explosions tore through launch platforms, fragments of metal and crystal scattering across the skyline as the activation sequences collapsed under the surge.
Several crafts had already begun to lift, but the ripple caught them mid-ascent. Their engines flared erratically before detonating in blinding flashes, falling back toward the ground in burning debris.
The fluctuations of long-range teleportation attempts faltered and died.
"No one would be leaving." I said and my voice echoed across the entire city.
The anger in my chest did not fade. If anything, it sharpened.
I raised my hand slowly and spread my fingers.
Space responded.
A second ripple moved outward, this one far more controlled. It expanded and started covering the entire city.
When the ripple completed its circuit, the entire city was enclosed.
