Rithen raised his staff as we approached, and a golden barrier appeared before him.
"Enough," he said, holding out his hand to stall us.
I eyed the ward suspiciously. It didn't feel particularly dangerous, though it was eighth-level.
"I assume this means you're surrendering," Luke said, keeping his sword raised.
Rithen hesitated. "No. I can't do that. But this battle is over. You've slain the Hero. Surely your vengeance is fulfilled."
Luke's tail stilled. "What could you know of my vengeance?"
Rithen chuckled humorlessly. "Your mind was laid bare to me. Your greatest fears, your greatest desires..." His eyes strayed toward me. "Everything you care about."
"So that was your doing?" Luke asked, his voice dangerously low.
"Luke..." I said, grasping his sleeve.
He shook me off and stalked forward. His curses penetrated the barrier, and it vanished, consumed by his aura.
