Luna's hand raised to her face as she braced for the inevitable…but it never came.
KLANG!
She opened her eyes slowly, only to see a figure standing there, lodging both swords against the snake's teeth.
"Aren—!"
Aren's arms locked as he fought against the constrictor's crushing pressure. Mud churned beneath Aren's boots as he slid backward slowly.
"MOVE!" he shouted through gritted teeth.
Behind him, Daniel and Marcus didn't hesitate.
Marcus grabbed Luna by the arm and hauled her upright while Emily and Iris rushed forward to help drag her back toward the clearing.
Sterling's threads flashed again, wrapping briefly around the serpent's neck to slow its advance.
But even that only bought them seconds.
The Emerald Constrictor hissed, its massive body pushing more and more as it forced its jaws close.
Aren's arms trembled.
Shit…It's not gonna hold—!
CRACK!
