The momentary respite shattered as the ground itself seemed to rebel. From fissures in the crumbling ridge, spiked metallic tendrils erupted, whipping through the air to block their escape route.
The one-armed behemoth's red eye blazed with a world-ending fury, and a new, deeper thrumming energy began to gather within its chest cavity, A final desperate attack aimed at collapsing the entire mountainside and burying them all.
Retreat was no longer an option. They had to break the siege, now.
"Emma, Celestia! With me! Everyone else, full support! Aya, you have one shot! Wait for my signal!" Julian's voice was absolute, brooking no argument. The time for holding back was over.
Emma, for once, didn't argue. Her face was set in a grim line of determination. "Just try to keep up," she shot back, flames already wreathing her fists.
Celestia simply nodded, her silver threads coalescing around her like a spectral aura. "We will create the opening."
