Vanessa and her group maneuvered steadily through the swamp, heading straight toward the location where the explosion had erupted earlier.
They passed several fleeing heirs along the way, panic written clearly on their faces, but Vanessa didn't spare them a second glance.
Neither did the Acolytes behind her. Their objective was singular, Focused and Purpose-driven.
Thanks to the chaos the heirs had already caused, they didn't initially run into any sirens.
Most of the weaker ones had either been slain or scattered. But the closer they drew to the center, the heavier the air became, and that was when they saw it.
Their first siren.
The creature rose from the murky water ahead, its slick blue skin glistening beneath the swamp's dim light.
The Acolytes tensed instinctively behind Vanessa.
She didn't slow down.
She didn't hesitate.
Vanessa tightened her grip on the halberd, drawing it back with both hands. In the next instant, essence surged.
