Presence B6C8

Salem.

Everyone gasped as her presence hit them, causing them to trip and stagger for a moment, Ruby even falling to hands and knees before she tried to move, barely able to force herself up onto one knee. Blake was the best of them, high enough level to have some defence, though even then she moved with incredible difficulty, twin daggers pointed to the floor like they weighed a tonne or more each.

I was fine. I'd weathered the storm in the corridor before, and though the sight of Salem sent a thrill of fear through me, it did not weigh me down. I stared up at her defiantly, and scowled when she met my eyes, an amused tint in them.

[...]

"Stand aside, Salem."

The monster chuckled in honest amusement. "And the first in which one has ever dared speak to me in such a fashion. You do so amuse me, Deceiver. Tell me, how is it you stand before me when all else kneel?"

I was about to ask what she meant when the clatter of Blake's weapons striking the ground echoed through the hall. She was on her knees, hands flat on the ground beside her. The Assassin's eyes burned with anger as she glared at Salem. Behind her, Ruby had lost the battle too and was on hands and knees, fighting not to lay flat on the ground.

[...]

A wave of pressure pulled away from us. Everyone else was suddenly able to stand, reaching for their weapons and taking up defensive stances. I spared a glance for Salem, who stood in the air with arms crossed, watching our display. It was clear she didn't intend to interfere. Like Tyrian, she would let her summoner face us.