Chapter 63

In the night, Maevyth’s glove pulses as Raivox grows agitated. A spectral girl warns that starving vyrmish—blind flesh-eaters—are coming. The ground splits, a vast maw opens, and ape-like creatures pour out, blending with earth and snow. Raivox’s silver breath freezes some, but too many scale the church. Zevander’s black fire kills a few as the group retreats from the crumbling gallery to the first floor.

Amid dust and wreckage, they realize the vyrmish lack eyes and noses, sensing through vibrations. Zevander and his scorpion draw the pack away with blade and flame, while Maevyth uses her bone whip and Aeryz to protect Corwin. The onslaught continues and Zevander’s flames weaken. Through a breach, a beast drags Father outside; Maevyth pursues into the snow.

Outside, the creature bites deep into Father’s leg before Maevyth knocks it back. Raivox returns, blasting silver as vyrmish swarm him. Time seems to slow as the silver-eyed girl reveals herself as Morsana and instructs Maevyth to strike the ground with the whip.

Maevyth slams the whip down, sending a rippling shock that explodes nearby vyrmish into gore. But the force opens a spreading fissure racing toward the church. Corwin reports Aleysia behaving strangely, with black eyes and muttered counts. A tortured roar from within the church follows as the fissure undermines the foundation, collapsing stone and glass.

Maevyth races for Zevander, but the ground heaves; debris flies. She’s struck, disoriented, and the world goes dark, leaving Zevander’s fate unknown, Father mauled, Aleysia ominously altered, and the church shattered by the very power that saved them.