A loud crack resounded behind Gregorio, and he turned to see the statue shattering into fragments. The rock crumbled to the floor, and the child with the shape-shifting ability awoke as though his sleep was only an act.
With a deft movement, Philip made the staff vanish, along with his traveler's ring brimming with purple luster.
When the ring dimmed, the other children in the formation began to wake up. They rushed toward the exit as though they were mentally cued.
Seeing this, Gregorio decided not to be passive anymore. He stood up and moved away from his position, his initial indifference giving way to anger.
With the ritual failing, Gregorio's body swayed for a moment, clearly suffering from a backlash. Half of his face darkened, and his right arm withered.
However, while his condition wasn't at its peak, he could still threaten nearby Philip!