Valindra collapsed to the ground. She was encased in a pale golden cocoon of light like a moth trapped in amber.

Her stunning features had frozen mid-expression, caught between shock, fury, and disbelief. Only her dimming eyes held a last flicker of awareness. Her gaze was locked onto Dustin, who was swaying on his feet, with his sword as the only thing keeping him upright.

It didn't make sense to her. She commanded the earth element, and inside Immortal Palace, that power should have made her untouchable. He was clearly at death's door, yet he still managed to defeat her.

Endless regret and venomous hatred gnawed at her remaining consciousness. But the sealing power clamped down like iron shackles, suppressing all her strength and fury inside that beautiful shell. Not even a wisp of divine sense could escape.

Nearby, Talmor lay in a pool of blood, his shoulder pierced clean through. Through the haze of fading awareness, he felt Valindra's overwhelming presence suddenly snuffed out