The creature lunged while Jason's back was turned.
Its twisted grey body shot forward, faster than something so emaciated should have been able to move. Its clawed hand extended, aimed at the back of Jason's skull, its yellowed teeth bared in a vicious snarl.
"JASON, WATCH OUT!" Ylva screamed.
The claw struck Jason's barrier.
The impact sent a ripple of light across the invisible shield—thin as glass, hard as diamond. The creature's hand stopped inches from Jason's head. The bones in its fingers cracked. Black ichor sprayed from its knuckles.
Ylva stared.
She had seen this before. The watcher had used a barrier just like this—impenetrable, shimmering, born from mana manipulation. Jason had absorbed that power. He had made it his own.
"This ability," she thought. "It's just like that of the enemy."
Jason turned. His eyes were cold and his jaw was tight.
He looked at Ylva. Saw the confusion on her face. The unspoken question.
He kissed his teeth in irritation.
