It seemed spun of minute translucent ebon corpuscles.

It hung like a black shroud suspended by unseen hands.

It shook and wavered now toward the Disk, now toward the Cross.
I sensed a keying up of force within the two; knew that each was striving to cast like a net that hanging mist upon the other.
Abruptly the Emperor flashed forth, blindingly.

As though caught upon a blast, the black shroud flew toward the Keeper--enveloped it.

And as the mist covered and clung I saw the sulphurous and crimson flares dim.