−−− ꧁ OPEN STARTER : FOR EVERYONE
The first branch came crashing through the ballroom with enough force to shatter crystal and send guests scrambling in every direction. Donald moved before anyone could scream. A sharp sweep of his hand sent a barrier of brilliant sapphire light surging between the crowd and the splintering wood. The branch slammed against it with a deafening crack, stopping only inches from the nearest civilians. "Move!" Donald's voice cut through the panic. "To the exits! Don't stop!"
The shield trembled. He felt it immediately. Something pushed back. Not the branch. His magic. For the briefest moment, the spell resisted his command, the blue light rippling with strange streaks of violet as though another force had reached into the weave and tried to pull it apart.
Donald's brow furrowed. "...No." The word was quiet, almost a warning. He planted his feet. The resistance surged again. A younger mage might have lost the spell entirely. Donald had spent nearly a century bending magic to his will. He refused to let it dictate the terms now. Drawing a slow breath, he tightened his grip on the staff in his hand. The sapphire glow flared brilliantly, washing away the violet corruption as the barrier solidified once more. The shaking ceased. The spell obeyed. "As I said," he muttered through gritted teeth, "no."
The tree lashed toward the fleeing crowd. With a flick of his wrist, ribbons of arcane light shot forward, wrapping around the trunk before wrenching it violently off course. It crashed harmlessly into the gardens instead of the ballroom.
Only then did Donald allow himself a single glance at his hand. The magic still felt... wrong. But he was not one to give in to other forces, he was far too stubborn. "Everyone out!" He wasn't sure how long he could hold.








