---
The chitin cracked where it pierced. A spiderweb of stress lines burst around the wound.
The other limb curled up toward Kai's throat.
He blocked it but the blow dented his arm. His bicep exoplate actually bent, warping inward with a metallic groan.
Akayoroi screamed. "Nooooo!"
Vel stared in horror. "No… that's not possible…"
"Do something!" Naaro shouted.
Azhara's ears flattened against her skull. Her claws itched. "I can't believe my eyes…" she hissed.
And then came the acid.
The Frog-Prince opened his main mouth. It was drooling with thick mucus like a bursting sewer line and unleashed a cone of caustic green miasma directly over Kai's pinned form.
SSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHH—
It sounded like boiling oil poured over bone. It hissed. It burned. It ate through the air.
Kai's chestplate began to melt.
