Strong magic

You spring forward, and immediately are stopped by some kind of invisible barrier. Niran cackles.

“You didn’t think that I would be so easy, did you? I learned from the mistakes of my past. I know your power, boy. I may not be able to harm you with magic, but I can stop you!”

Ferra lunges forward as well, seemingly unhindered by whatever is stopping you. She is little more than a blur as she races towards the laughing, corrupted mage. An instant before her bladed arms connect, however, he vanishes, reappearing on the other side of the room. Ferra’s blades slice only air.

With a snarl, she spins and starts to move again, but Niran lifts a hand in response. A beam of sickly yellow light flashes across the room, striking Ferra in the chest, and she freezes in place. Niran holds her pinned with the magic, looking at you with an insane smile. You try to make progress towards him, but there’s no gap in the barrier blocking your way.

“I can’t hurt you. But the golem…well, all it takes is the right combination of magic. Like so!”

He lifts his other hand, and a beam of reddish light lances out to strike Ferra as well. You see her orange eyes go wide, though she seems unable to move otherwise. After a moment, her body begins to tremble, and the beams pinning her grow in intensity. Ferra’s arms shift, returning to normal, and she staggers, dropping to her knees, as her mouth opens in a silent scream.

Niran continues to laugh. “You are not the only one who has been chosen. And I have been gifted with power like you could never imagine! Allow me to demonstrate on your little toy here!”

He grimaces, and the light grows blindingly bright. You’re **** to shield your eyes with your arm as he unleashes his magic, and you can feel the **** of it even from where you stand. A keening whine grows, and just as the sound becomes unbearable, there’s a concussive bang, knocking you back a step, and the light vanishes. You lower your arms, and see that Ferra is lying motionless on the floor.

Niran chuckles. “So simple to unravel the spells animating a golem once you know how. But do not mourn, boy. You will join her soon!”

You look away from Ferra, gritting your teeth. All rational thoughts in your mind are blown away like smoke from your growing rage. You hear Lilith attempting to speak, but the words make no sense. Regardless, you feel her channeling power into your limbs. Your vision narrows until all you see is Niran, standing across the room.

With a snarl, you stab Caliburn into the invisible barrier blocking your way. You push with all your enhanced strength, your anger fueling you further. The tip of your sword begins to glow, first red, then white, as you slowly push into the magical ****. Niran ceases to laugh, instead lifting his hands to channel more magic. You’re only dimly aware of the increased resistance, and you simply roar wordlessly as you push forward.

Suddenly, the resistance ends, with a shattering sound. You stumble slightly, but keep focused on Niran, racing towards the startled mage. He recovers quickly, though, and once again vanishes just as you carve the air where he once stood. You spin, seeing him across the room again.

Niran’s twisted face sneers at you. “I suppose I should not be surprised. I knew it wouldn’t be easy. Come, then. You and I, one on one.”