Klein landed softly on the ground, one knee down, his katana still smoking with the black blood of the creatures. His breath was short, and abundant sweat beaded on his forehead, flowing along his temples down to his jaw.
"One less," he breathed as he got up with a spring.
But two Guardians remained facing him, and these ones seemed to have learned from the death of their companion. They did not charge separately. Instead, they drew closer to each other, their chitin shoulders almost touching, and they advanced like a single block.
The second guardian opened its maw, and a reddish light began to gather inside it.
Klein swore silently.
"Careful, Klein," said Walpurga in a suddenly more serious voice. She had gotten up from her rock, her parasol half opened. "If they hit you with that kind of projection, you will be reduced to ashes."
