*Saoirse*
In the secluded depths of the palace gardens, I stood still as stone, my eyes closed to help my concentration.
The dragon staff lay dormant in my grip, but it would soon awaken and thrash with incredible fury.
I took a deep breath in through my nose, nostrils flaring in anticipation. I willed my muscles to contain the immense energy as I summoned forth the ancient power of the dragon staff.
My exhale came out as a whoosh as I was blown back by a seismic pulse of power.
The air around me crackled with energy while the staff's crystal pulsed with an eerie, otherworldly light.
Just like before, my body was acting as a conduit, channeling the raw, powerful magic through every blood vessel and hair on my body.
No matter how many times I activated the dragon staff and channeled its magic, each time hit me like a wave of lightning.
