Everything suddenly stopped.
The dark sky split apart, cleaving in two and revealing a breathtaking sight for those fortunate enough not to be trapped within the poisonous mist.
The shadowy energy that had engulfed the castle began to recoil, slithering downward like black serpents being dragged into the earth by unseen hands.
The milky film clouding the vampires' eyes vanished, and confusion rippled across their faces as they blinked and surveyed their surroundings.
Immediately, tension flared between the vampires of Asvaldur and those of Eira. Eyes narrowed. Fangs bared. They were ready to lunge, to resume the battle where it had paused until Thorin's howl sliced through the air, silencing the field.
"Attention, my comrades—and enemies," he bellowed, his voice raw with authority as he slowly reverted to human form.
