"Hello," she giggled, her voice distorted. "Found you."
Like calling a friend at the academy on any other day.
Merle drew a card from his deck and threw it. It shattered the second-floor window and exploded, releasing scorching heat.
"They found us."
The whisper was barely audible over the screeching outside.
CRASH!
The first-floor windows shattered inward. A tide of black ichor flooded the room, solidifying into the jagged limbs of Shadow Stalkers.
"Miss Alicia! Follow me!"
Merle didn't hesitate. He grabbed the maid's arm and sprinted toward the gaping hole in the wall created by the earlier explosion.
Below them, the alleyway was a sea of darkness.
"Jump!"
They leaped into the void.
Merle's hand blurred as he reached into his coat. He drew two cards—Blue and Red.
"Alchemy: Aerogel Cushion! Alchemy: Firewall!"
He tossed the cards down.
POOF.
