Ethan flipped through the air, twisting hard to regain control. He barely managed to steady himself, arms numb and tingling, the skin of his palms scorched raw and red.
"What the hell was that thing…" he muttered, breath ragged.
Then the light pillar began to tremble.
A low, thunderous rumble echoed from within—like hundreds of war drums pounding in unison.
—Thoom.
—Thoom… Thoom…
The sand cracked open beneath it.
Scorching wind burst from the fissures, searing and dry.
And then they emerged.
One after another, towering figures stepped out of the light.
Their bodies were forged from stone and raw energy, clad in armor etched with glowing, jagged runes. Their eyes burned with a dim, eerie blue—cold and ancient.
"Our energy-harvesting swarm… it's gone!"
"Was it these outsiders?!"
"They're not native to the desert!"
The air vibrated with a low, angry hum—like a hive of hornets murmuring in fury.
Ethan hovered midair, eyes narrowed to slits, voice sharp as a blade.
