To do so they would have to double back and avoid the Paladin and Witnesses Hector was currently fighting. Or jump off the edge of the platform, over two hundred feet into the caldera below.

Or Beru could just disappear, use the god’s power to take her far away from here. And take everyone with her.

And possibly free the god, with no way to chain it again.

As Beru grappled with an impossible decision, some of the Paladin broke through Hassan’s defenses, despite his best efforts, and Ephyra launched herself in front of Beru.

“Ephyra, no!” Beru cried.

Anton darted past her. A disarmed Witness rushed forward to seize him, but Anton used his forearms to block the Witness and sent a fist flying into the Witness’s throat.

“Ha!” Anton cried. “Hector, did you see that?”

In front of Anton, Ephyra ducked under a Paladin’s sword and kicked his legs from under him. She launched herself into the fray, battling at Hassan’s side.

Beru’s gaze swung around, trying to make sense of the chaos, and her eyes caught on a figure standing above it all, perched on the top of one of the crumbling stone pillars that surrounded the tomb. Lazaros. She could see his Godfire sword blazing against the gray sky, but he did not leap down to join the fight. His gaze was locked on Beru.

What was he waiting for?

“NO!” Ephyra’s voice roared, and Beru jerked her gaze away from Lazaros to see Ephyra dive toward Hassan, who was crumpled on his knees, blood spilling between his hands where he clutched his stomach. On instinct, Beru lunged toward them, but Illya yanked her back.

Beru’s fearful gaze found Hector, barely holding his own against the Paladin, his movements labored like he had been injured. Khepri fought her way toward Hassan and Ephyra, bloodied and bruised herself. Jude had returned to Anton’s side, fighting off Paladin with desperate strokes of his blade.

They were losing.

Pallas would win this battle, and the only question was how many of Beru’s friends would be hurt—or killed—in the cross fire.

She had to do something.

USE MY POWER, the god offered. USE MY POWER AND YOU CAN PROTECT THEM. YOU CAN SAVE THEM.

Beru closed her eyes. She was out of options.

“Illya,” she said softly.

“Don’t,” he said, his grip tightening on her arm. “Beru, don’t.”

A roar of pain sounded from somewhere. Beru could not keep track anymore. Her eyes found Pallas, standing calmly across the platform. A slight smile curled his lips as he surveyed the battle before him.