As the black lightning converged on Rel from all sides, he remained suspended in the air, seemingly trapped with nowhere to dodge. The Soul Forger's eyes gleamed with triumph, watching as his attack closed in for the kill.
Then something impossible happened.
The lightning, mere inches from Rel's body, suddenly changed direction.
Without any visible movement from Rel, without any gesture or incantation, the deadly bolts curved upward as if repelled by an invisible force field.
The entire attack redirected itself to the ceiling above, striking with such concentrated force that ancient stone shattered, raining debris down onto the forge floor.
The Soul Forger froze, his massive jaw hanging open in disbelief.
"How..." he whispered, genuine confusion in his ancient voice. "You made no movement, cast no spell..."
Rel landed gracefully on the cracked floor, his expression unchanged as he faced the bewildered ancient being.
"…"
