NARRATOR

Sigrid knew it even before it touched her skin—it was pure poison.

She raised her hand, and hundreds of ravens flooded the dark shadows, piercing through the storm, merging into one another, hardening to form a giant shield that protected her people.

But the shield was flawed—it had a gaping hole, right above her.

"Sigrid, what are you doing?!" Aldric roared, trying to rush to her aid, but his daughter completely blocked him with a barrier.

From a distance, Valeria watched in panic as