The barrier is laid down over the three of them as Melys is starting to step back, because it's better to get all three of them under it than for Ellana to cover them, then fall back even more. Her armor is the weakest, and in battle she has to strategize where to stand while she waits for her mana to come back.

She pulls her kerchief over her nose and tries to look past the genlocks for ranged fighters, but all the action is happening up here, and there's only so much Herc can do. She slams her staff into the ground and fires a spell at the second one further back, leaving the first for Melys. Herc is now occupied with a third, and she keeps throwing spells at the one she's picked until it groans and goes down. It doesn't take long.

With the path clear, Ellana can finally get in and see who else is there. Two archers stand across the room, but not close enough for a single spell. She focuses on one, sending a lightning bolt straight through its body and leaving it arched on its toes, trembling at the energy coursing through it.