Their footsteps echoed like war drums through the winding stone corridors of the monolith.
Noah pushed forward, his breathing steady despite the weight in his arms. Arlo was still unconscious, but stable. Noah's mind was focused only on the tunnel ahead of him.
Until he glanced back.
Leo and Galahad were falling behind.
They stumbled more with each step, breath coming in painful heaves, the exhaustion they were feeling weighing down their bodies.
Behind them, the skittering was growing louder. Then came the gleam of glossy black carapaces. Legs. Many, many legs.
The adult Bullet Spiders were closing in.
'If I keep going, they'll die.'
Noah cursed under his breath, spinning on his heels.
He bolted past them, wind rushing against his face as he raced the swarm. Leo looked up in surprise as Noah flew by, then understood.
Noah pivoted as he reached the space between his teammates and the encroaching death.
"Devour!" He roared, slamming his palm to the floor.
