A huge explosion of stone dust scattered into the air as Zero's Annihilation Beam shot through Dorian and melted into the ground. The dust mixed with frozen particles of ice, obscuring Dorian's form from even the strongest eyes for a few scant moments.
Dorian felt an overwhelming sense of loss. His abnormally powerful willpower allowed him to remain conscious as the totality of the injuries he had suffered settled upon him.
He had tried to shift forms six times before the beam hit him. Unfortunately, the trap Zero had set had taken its toll and prevented him from escaping.
For a short, frozen moment, Dorian felt his body tremble on the edge of death.
'Ausra, heal me. Use my Growth Points, now!' Rapidly, he issued a mental command without hesitation.
'Acknowledged.' Ausra didn't question him as she automatically set about using the vast store of energy Dorian still had left in his soul.
Enjoy the new cover :)