The air grew frigid as the creature’s limb descended, a mountain of calcified bone and rotted muscle cutting through the courtyard. Malphas launched himself into the air, his boots striking the creature’s forearm with calculated precision. He did not possess the supernatural speed of the beast anymore, but he had the lethal intent of a man who refused to let his home be consumed. He sprinted along the creature’s arm, his fingers digging into the uneven, porous stone-like skin.
"Malphas, watch out!" Lyra yelled from below, her torch arcing through the air. She threw the burning brand at the creature’s shoulder, distracting it just long enough for Malphas to scramble higher.
The entity roared, a sound that bypassed the ears and vibrated directly against the skull. It swung its other arm, a
