The centipede's cracked armor glowed brighter, its body convulsing as if something inside was clawing to break free. The sickly green veins pulsed faster, each tremor threatening to unleash a transformation none of them wanted to face.
Don dug his heels into the ground, massive arms wrapping tighter around the beast's writhing torso. "Damn it, whatever it's becoming, we can't let it happen!" His voice was a growl, half desperation, half determination.
Celestia's threads whipped out again, weaving a deadly lattice that bound the centipede's limbs to the shattered earth. She darted around like a phantom, anchoring the silver lines deep into the soil, pinning every joint she could catch. Her voice was sharp, commanding, but trembling at the edges.
"Luke! Aim for the core! That glow, it must be where its power gathers!"
