The creatures slithered across the ceiling and walls, unleashing bursts of corrupting fire.
Nobles screamed as the creatures dove at them, clawing and biting without discrimination.
"This was your plan?" Rui hissed, ducking as a drakeling swooped over her head.
"Releasing monsters?"
Zou's face had gone deathly pale.
"No—this isn't what I brought. My gift was harmless illusions."
A noblewoman's headdress burst into flames as a drakeling's breath caught her ornaments.
Governor Zhang cowered beneath the table, whimpering as the creatures circled predatorily overhead.
Lady Lin shrieked as a drakeling clawed through her elaborate hairpiece.
Zhang Jie had disappeared entirely, while Rong huddled beneath an overturned table.
"Riftspawn drakelings," Zou muttered, kneeling beside the chest. His fingers traced unfamiliar symbols that now glowed along its rim—symbols that hadn't been there before.
"Someone has tampered with my magic."
