His attack was flawless, and his blade drove deep into the mage's body. The mage jerked, surprised, and staggered, his spell broken, as Caiaphas disrupted his concentration. Murphy charged forward, ready to help keep the mage pinned down... but their opponent only grinned.<br/><br/>"Now I've got you! Mistress! Open the Gateway!"<br/><br/>Several things happened at once.<br/><br/>The mage seemed to... implode, as if all the magic empowering it were expended at once, violently. At the same time, the intricate magic circle etched aroudn them flared to life, encircling not just him and Murphy, but the four captives, as well.<br/><br/>From the wall behind him, the statue glowed, and immense power thrumming through it... then, it began to crack, and crumble. No, not just the statue, the wall behind it, too.<br/><br/>The dragon bellowed "No! Get out of the circ--"<br/><br/>Blinding, wracking pain thrummed through Caiaphas, and he saw Murphy jerk and seize, as well, and the captives thrash in their bindings.<br/><br/>This wasn't good.