The giant octopus reacted even faster than we did. The moment it sensed the approaching guardian, every trace of aggression vanished. Its remaining tentacles retracted and the colossal beast turned around without hesitation.
Then it fled.
Pure panic drove every movement. The same fear I had witnessed in the whales. The same fear I had seen in countless creatures throughout the Soul Sea.
Silver pointed after it.
"Is it running from Verilux?"
Aurora's expression darkened.
"Escaping will be the right word."
The distinction wasn't encouraging.
The guardian's presence continued growing at an alarming rate. Somehow it had already located us again, and judging by the speed at which the pressure was approaching, we had very little time before another encounter.
My gaze shifted toward the enormous wound still running through the octopus's body.
Then an idea occurred to me.
A terrible idea.
Which usually meant it had a reasonable chance of working.
