The creature, whatever it was, dug in, tearing at her mind almost as fiercely as before, trying to merge itself beyond removal. The low hissing of the Void came to the surface, but the serpent didn't appear, probably still too weakened from the first attack. Even still, Valdis was greatly aware of what the Void might do if this went on any longer.

"Stop."

She meant to say it quietly, evenly, but it came out as a high pitched shriek.