Bab 165: The Edge of Sanity

More than mere mindless reanimated corpses, the draugrs' white eyes flashed with cunning and experience.

A step back, a raised hand, an axe drawn behind their tense back. That's how they would kill the intruder if the fiery defensive stars prevented them from approaching. 

A forest of steel glinted under his flames while a line of Viking shields, their once bright colors faded, rose to protect the throwers in a ghastly show of disciplined cooperation.

Their tight formation and sinister snarls should have chilled his blood or, at least, made his heart pound against his chest. Yet, a vicious smirk split his face as the stars crackled brighter and his voice thundered.

"Fools! Did you think I'd cower behind a flimsy defense weak to projectiles?" His fingers cracked into a trembling fist around the fragment as a subtle redness spread into his emerald eyes. "No! Versatility is what I pursue!"