Xavier stepped forward, tracking the remaining targets as they scrambled for cover behind the scattered boulders.
"Flank them!" a demon captain barked, pointing a clawed finger at Xavier. "Tear the humans apart!"
Six shock troopers broke formation and rushed Xavier from the side. They raised their shock mauls and charged.
Xavier dropped the rifle and summoned the Serpent's Fang into his palm. The weapon extended into a segmented chain covered in glowing runes.
He whipped the blade in a wide arc, slicing cleanly through the front three attackers. The metal segments retracted in a split second, reassembling into a solid sword just in time to block a downward strike from the fourth demon.
The impact drove Xavier's boots into the dirt. He twisted his wrist, forcing the demon's maul aside, and drove his knee into the creature's armored stomach. The demon folded forward, coughing black bile.
