"You guys go first. Follow the stone path and don't stop," Dustin commanded in a low voice.

Realizing that defense was no longer an option, he withdrew the disk of light and charged forward instead of retreating. His body shot ahead like a flash of cyan light toward the storm of light beams.

His longsword sang as it left the sheath, a sharp, resonant note that cut through the roar. With a flick of his wrist, a torrent of sword light burst forth, forming a rippling cyan barrier in front of him.