Rocket and Peter Quill activated their flight devices in time and avoided the blast.
The two immediately drew their weapons after landing and battled the pursuing tentacles.
But the gap in strength was too great. Before long, they were surrounded by tentacles, their room to move visibly shrinking.
Yondu hurried over to help, but even with him joining in, it was barely a drop in the bucket.
The Whistle Arrow was snapped by the sudden tentacles, and he was pinned to the ground, swallowed bit by bit by dirt and stone as though trapped in a swamp.
Ake and the other two were in slightly better shape, but as more and more tentacles emerged, the pressure they felt steadily increased.
"They won't be able to hold on much longer," Naga said with a frown.
"That's only normal. The energy a Celestial can command is beyond our imagination, much less theirs," Ake said matter-of-factly. Then he looked meaningfully at Peter Quill, who was struggling amid the tentacles. "But pressure creates motivation. Maybe this can spur him to awaken further."
"Ego has run out of patience." Ramon placed his hand on one of Ego's veins and used the empathic ability he had stolen from Mantis to sense the Celestial's emotions. "We need to get out of his sight, or we may not even be able to protect ourselves, let alone help them."
"You really know how to boost others' morale while crushing your own."
"Enough," Ake interrupted. "Keep your distance and conserve your strength. Before Peter Quill awakens, we cannot attract attention.
"However, the mission takes priority above all else. Before Master withdraws successfully, we absolutely cannot let him die."
"Fine! You're the boss, we'll listen to you.
"What about Yondu and that raccoon?"
Ake looked over from afar. In the dozen