The Krystalii’s movements were fast but jerky as it came toward them. The jagged shards of its body glinted, exposing its lethal sharpness.
Toni tensed, preparing to flee.
“No, no, dearest.” Elemi stepped in front of her. “Allow me.” With a dramatic flourish, she extended her hand, and a burst of vibrant white-pink energy surged forward, striking the creature square in the chest. It shattered into a cascade of glimmering fragments, the sound like a hundred wind chimes crashing to the floor.
“Efficient,” JR14 remarked. “However, energy reserves in your current form are finite. I advise caution.”
“Oh please.” Elemi waved him off. “I’ve got enough flair to handle this.”
“Let’s not test that theory,” Toni interjected, grabbing Elemi by the arm and pulling her. “We’ve got to get to Azazel before this whole ship collapses or something worse shows up.”
They raced through the turbulent corridors, weaving between crystalline figures that either barreled past or struck out with wild swings.
The floor shuddered beneath their feet as fractures split the walls, releasing crackling bursts of energy that lit the passage with eerie flashes.
“Query,” JR14 said as they approached another junction. “Why does Lord Baelon not take direct action to reassert control?”
“Maybe he’s losing it, too.” Toni glanced behind her as she bit her bottom lip. “Or, with our luck, he’s planning something worse.”
Elemi’s metallic lips curled into a smirk. “Oh, I’d love to see him try. I’d give him a taste of my magnificence that he won’t soon forget.”
“Holy crap, Elemi, let’s not invite trouble,” Toni snapped. “Look, the room where they’re holding Azazel is just ahead.”
As they neared the chamber, a sudden, deafening roar shook the corridor.
The crystalline walls buckled and cracked, and a massive figure emerged from the shadows. It was one of Baelon’s Elite enforcers, a towering construct of crystal and raw energy. Its barbed arms crackled with power as it lumbered toward them, each step sending shock waves through the floor.
“Oh, lovely.” Elemi’s tone dripped with sarcasm. “Another welcoming committee.”
“JR14, options?” Toni’s heart raced so hard she barely had enough breath to croak the question out.
“Analysis: direct confrontation is ill-advised. Recommend strategic retreat or diversion,” the little android replied.
“We don’t have time to retreat,” Toni stumbled backward. “Elemi?” She squealed as the Elite drew closer, its crystalline bony fingers reaching for her.
“Darling, if you insist on being reckless, at least let me make your rescue efforts spectacular.” Elemi once again stepped between the enforcer and Toni. She raised both hands, and a surge of magenta-pink energy spiraled outward, striking the enforcer.
The blast staggered the massive figure but didn’t bring it down.
“Dammit! That didn’t work,” Toni leaped out of the Elite’s grasp and scrambled around Elemi.
“Plan B?” Elemi glanced over her shoulder at JR14.
“Suggestion: target structural weak points to destabilize its form.” The pale blue of JR14’s bulbous eyes changed to a red-orange as he scanned the enforcer. “Aim for the joints.”
With one hand, Elemi aimed and fired at the creature’s knee. The crystalline joint shattered, and the enforcer toppled forward with a thunderous crash. Before it could recover, she unleashed another wave of energy, reducing the creature to a heap of shimmering shards.
“Okay. That really was spectacular,” Toni admitted with a sheepish grin.
“Naturally.” Elemi brushed imaginary dust off her shiny pink shoulder. “Now, shall we rescue your brooding beau?”
Toni startled.Brooding beau. With a grin, she followed Elemi as they rushed into Azazel’s chamber.
The room was a stark contrast to the chaos outside—eerily quiet.
Stepping through the doorway, her breath caught.
There Azazel was, still suspended in the glowing crystalline cage. His eyes snapped open and widened, locking onto Toni with a mixture of relief and determination.
