I closed my eyes, focusing on the drain pulsing through me. Noel's Essentia felt different than the others - colder, sharper, with unexpected depths. I pulled on that energy, letting it fill my limbs as I opened my eyes.
The world seemed to slow down. My perception heightened, details jumping into focus that I hadn't noticed before. The slight glint of sunlight off metal in a third-floor window. The pattern of shadows across the battlefield. The minuscule shifts in air current that might indicate an energy weapon charging.
I didn't know what this was. Some side effect of draining Noel? A new ability manifesting? Whatever it was, I wasn't going to waste it.
I sprinted toward the flag, moving in an unpredictable zigzag pattern. A blast of energy scorched the ground where I'd been a second earlier. Vince had taken the bait.
