Fingers tightening around the hilt of his adaptive scalpel, Auri hurled it hard, aiming at the enormous worm's head. It sailed past the creature's jaw and struck the stone statue instead, the impact echoing like a bell toll in the hollow chamber.
The worm reared slightly, disturbed.
Auri didn't stop there. He lay Hawad next to a wall, then started stomping hard, deliberately pounding the ground beneath his boots. The sound echoed across the temple ruins, rich with vibration that pulled the creature's attention towards him.
"You hungry? You want to eat something?" Auri taunted, stepping away from Hawad. He stomped his foot again. "Then come and get me. I'm the one you want, right?!"
The creature twitched. Then it shifted, leaving the still motionless Darius on the ground.
It had noticed him now.
Auri bolted—fast, loud, and reckless. "I'm the one who killed your babies! Come and get me if you can!"
The worm shrieked and lunged after him.
