It was the same way Raum had moved to outpace Bytra and hit Lith before he could react. An Eldritch ability that was supposed to be exclusive to the Wonderer, like Break was to Orulm.

Yet a mere Empowered Abomination could do just the same and move almost as quickly.

“Come on!” The Empowered stomped his claws on the fine carpet, producing sparks whenever its protective enchantments clashed with the Abomination Touch. “Run. Fight. Do something. You can’t have gotten this far by luck!”

The boy and the girl were weak, but the child was an insect. His mana flow and life force were so faint that the Empowered’s bottomless hunger didn’t register Owl as a tasty meal.

‘Yet he’s excellent bait!’ The Abomination grinned, lashing with his spindly limb at the child to force the real prey to reveal their ability.

Aryk had no idea what was happening. To him, everything after he had left the soup kitchen made no sense. He still hoped it was just a nightmare caused by his upset stomach after eating old food.

Yet he still moved. Every fiber of his body drove him to throw himself at Owl and shield him from the blow. Much to his surprise, the young boy didn’t budge. Aryk’s feet slid on the floor as he pushed Owl down with all his strength, but the child didn’t move.