Because standing tall over and around them was the joint essence shield of translucent silver in the shape of two clasped hands. The wooden floor around the shield was broken, the wood turned to splinters.
The old woman was still looking at them with surprise that made her whole eyes big. "A shield? One of your magic tricks?"
She growled and then started coming forward. The team moved away from their place, the shield still on them. The place they were standing earlier was destroyed; it wouldn't do to be caught fighting there.
"Your shield seems strong," she said as she came even closer.
"That's because it is powered by four cores," Stallus said.
The woman's eyes widened. "Like combination techniques. I didn't know you Inferno Legion magicians could do that." She sneered.
They kept a tight grip on their shield because as soon as she was within striking distance, her sword glowed white-hot, and she started to strike at their shield.
