Jayden pushed himself up from the broken stones, one hand pressed against his ribs. He looked toward Helen first, then toward the path behind them.
The path was gone. Dozens of undead couriers had filled the tunnel entrance, their thin bodies packed together like a moving wall. Behind them, rusted undead guards stepped forward with old spears and cracked shields.
"We are sealed in," the short Vahir said quietly.
Helen gritted her teeth. Her mana was running low. Her breathing was rough, and the fire around her fingers flickered weaker than before. Even so, she forced herself to stand between the injured giant Velhari and the approaching couriers.
The Devouring Bone Giant turned toward them again.
This time, it did not reach for soul stones immediately. Instead, it raised both arms.
The chains wrapped around its ribs lifted into the air and stretched outward. Red light gathered along the links, and the soul stones in the mound began trembling violently.
Varok's pupils shrank.
