The system's energy flared. A burst of golden light erupted from the crack, so intense it turned the world white. The battlefield vanished in its brilliance. Every shadow was burned away.
Ben staggered back, shielding his face as his vision went blank. Apophis screamed beside him, her voice drowned in the radiance.
A moment later, the light vanished, than the ground shook. A low rumble echoed from deep below, growing louder with each second.
The land cracked. Fissures split outward.
Apophis backed away, her body trembling. Her voice turned sharp. "No. No no no, damn it!"
She cursed, stumbling as the shaking worsened. Then, suddenly, her voice broke. And for the first time Ben could hear her genuine emotion.
Her eyes slowly turned to him. "You wanted to be my master, didn't you?" she said, her voice cold and shaking. "Then fine."
