The larger serpent moved first.
Its thick body shot across the ground with a sharp hiss, scales scraping dirt and broken stone as it lunged straight for Gabriel. Its jaws opened wide, and at the same time its long body curved, trying to coil around him and crush what little strength he had left.
Despite seeing the massive serpent rushing toward him, Gabriel did not panic. Instead, his bare hand shot out and caught the creature by the neck just before the coil could close around him.
The impact made the ground under his feet crack slightly. The summon's body thrashed at once, its tail whipping through the air, but Gabriel's grip did not move. Blood ran down his arm from his own wounds while the serpent twisted harder, trying to break free.
The blindfolded summoner's face twitched for the second time that night.
Meanwhile, Gabriel's fingers dug deeper, veins standing out on his forearm. A second later, he pulled with brutal force, and the serpent's body tore apart in his hands.
