As the last rune fell into place, the circles shivered, and a dark black line snaked through the air, from the ground to the height of the garden walls. But as the fissure began to widen, it collapsed in on itself with a sound like shattering glass. The mana revolted, breaking free of my control and rebounding back into my soul.
I had just enough time to suck in a breath before the backlash struck. It tore into my soul, driving the breath from my lungs and scattering my mana. In a fit of desperation, I flared Adaptive Resistance, but the warmth rose a little too late, and I doubled over, writhing in pain. It overwhelmed my senses, blinding hot, like fiery inquisitor knives ripping into my soul.
