The Rebel Master unsheathed the sword by his side, and so did all the other men around him. Around the field, everyone pulled out their swords. The flute sound continued even as it increased. The Rebel Master kept taking in deep breaths. His chest heaved, and Darian noticed. Whether it was darkness or fear, Darian could not tell.
As the sound of the flute intensified, a red smoke seemed to grow in the air, creating a circle among all of them on the field. The smoke grew out like stems of a tree and grabbed one soldier. It raised him off the ground and squeezed him, draining him of all vitality and throwing him on the floor. The others were flustered. Everyone tried to move backward hurriedly. They might be next. The smoke kept moving.
"What is that stuff?" a soldier asked in panic.
Ano
