The air crackled, thick with the scent of ozone and burnt flesh. The initial barrage of plasma had vaporized the leading serpentine creature, a grotesque amalgamation of scales and fangs, but the rest surged forward, their roars a cacophony of primal fury. The very earth trembled beneath their advance.
"Stop them!" Protean's command was a desperate plea, but before he or Dolor could react, a figure descended, landing with the force of a meteor.
***You aren't going anywhere.*** Hades's voice, usually a low, resonant murmur, now reverberated with an unnerving power.
Protean and Dolor exchanged wary glances. "What makes you think you alone can stop us?" Protean challenged.
