The massive pillar of golden light carved through the air in a blinding arc that looked like it might split the ground in two.
Alexia barely had time to cross her arms over her head before it came crashing down on her.
—BOOM!
First, a deafening explosion tore through the plaza.
Then came a blistering heatwave.
Buildings trembled. Debris burst into the air. Dust and stone sprayed in every direction, followed by a flash so violently bright that it turned the world white.
Just for a second.
When the light finally faded — and the smoke thinned enough to see…
Alexia was there, crouched on one knee at the center of the blast.
Her armor was cracked and slowly dissolving into swirling light particles. Her helmet had been blown loose, revealing tangled strands of damp orange hair clinging to her cheek.
She was panting, and her hands were trembling from the force she'd just withstood.
Her orb had shattered.
She was out of the test.
But I didn't get to enjoy the moment.
