The earth trembled again, stronger now. Cracks split the ground, tossing dirt and broken stone into the air.
The group scrambled back as the center ruptured, and something massive erupted from beneath, long, armored, and terrifying.
It was a Spine Crawler, but nothing like the ones they'd just fought. This one was easily the size of a transport bus.
The same bone-colored legs clawed against the ground, twitching with high-speed jerks, but now in dozens more sets. The stone-like plates on its back were thicker, darker, and jagged at the edges like they had grown into natural blades.
Its jaw was longer, wider, and slimy green mist hissed from deep within its mouth. This was the queen.
It let out a scream, high-pitched and unnatural, and dove back into the ground.
Then it breached again, rearing its full length above the trees.
"Now!" Nia yelled.
They sprang into action. Aras raised his hand, and a heavy force slammed down on the queen, slowing its movements.
