Foalan rushed after Riel. Ahead of them the dark entity reared into view, spreading viscous tentacles across a vast wasteland. Thousands of tendrils dripped from each tentacle, binding them to the surface beneath it. Light cracked through in places, shining against the dark that tried to consume it. Foalan couldn't tell what the original colour of  Riel's soul was, not with the inky black thing coating everything into a dull grey.<br/><br/>Around the edges he could see the shards of his fire  plunging into the malevolent magic. They were still wrapped in weaves, protecting Riel from their scorch as much as keeping them intact long enough to do some damage. Fewer than he expect. The magic was strong, gaining strength the longer they dallied.<br/><br/>Foalan took quick stock of things and launched a fireball from the tip of the fiery sword, directly into the middle of the beast. It shuddered, fire spread along it's surface and tendrils broke away from Riel's soul, distracted by the attack. Foalan sent another, and another in quick succession.<br/><br/>Up close, Foalan knew what this kind of magic was. Soul Eater, magic consumer. It attached itself to a victim and ate them from the inside, until it broke through into the physcial realm, took on mass, consuming the body  of the poor unsuspecting mage that found itself  host. A Schi was a massive target. If it got loose, it would consume both of them, and go for Anael.  They needed to kill it fast, but Foalan had to force it to release more of Riel's soul so they didn't further damage him in the process. So he vollied fireball after fireball hoping this thing would retaliate , finding Foalan a bigger target, and open its flank to attack.