The instant he gave the order, he had already turned and charged toward the opening they had come through.
Kale followed close behind, his figure blurring into a shadow.
Barrett dragged Ola along. The short-legged dwarf tried to glance back, but the veteran yanked him away.
"Move!"
Behind them, the "hill" formed from the giant python's body and primordial blood crystals was coming alive.
Countless primordial blood crystals rolled off its body with a dense clatter. The ground began to shake, and dust and loose stones rained from overhead.
Sarah silently moved into position behind Veylin's flank. Her half-human, half-insect body proved exceptionally suited to the rugged terrain, her six legs moving in alternation to keep her steady.
Her eyes reflected the crimson glow gradually brightening behind them as she filtered the information and projected it into Veylin's consciousness.
A low hum sounded from behind, vibrating through their chests until they felt tight.
[Damn it! Who the hell was that?!]
Barrett growled through the matrix, his eyes filled with shock and fury.
[Forget it! Move!]
The group charged into the narrow rock fissure they had passed through earlier. It was their only route of escape.
But the way ahead was far from clear. A pile of enormous fallen rocks blocked the passage, leaving only a gap wide enough for one person.
The tremors from the python's awakening had clearly triggered another cave-in.
[I'll chop through it!]
Ola raised his battleaxe.
[No! It'll collapse!] Veylin stopped him immediately. The tactical map in his mind instantly supplied the best solution. [Twenty meters to the left, there's a wider fissure! Hurry!]
Everyone immediately changed direction and rushed into that darker, more winding passage.
The space here was cramped, barely wide enough for two or three people abreast, with a low rock ceiling overhead.