Max's breath caught.
'Is that… the Tower of Truth?'
A strange pull stirred within him. Curiosity. Wariness. A feeling that whatever lay within that tower—it wasn't ordinary.
But before he could reflect further, a ripple of energy pulsed behind him.
His Three-Dimensional Body reacted instantly.
Danger.
The air twisted—dark auras swirled—and within seconds, the demons arrived. They emerged from the teleportation rune in a blur of shadows and flame, their eyes locking onto Max.
"Damn it!" Max hissed, spinning on his heel. Without thinking, he summoned the flames from his back, trying to launch himself into the air.
But instead of soaring—
He leapt.
Barely a few feet.
He landed hard with a skid of red dust, eyes wide. "What?!" he gasped. "I… I can't fly here?!"
Panic flickered in his eyes. But then—
He looked again.
And what he saw on the demons' faces wasn't bloodlust.
It was hesitation.
No… not hesitation.
Fear.
