The Unraveling - It Spreads

The monstrous beast hangs there, as if suspended in time. The ice creaks, the cave growing quiet for a long moment, save for shuddering breaths and whispered panic from the adventurers. Occasionally a shard of ice tumbles down from above, the chimes echoing melodically through the cavern.

The worm waits. Watching. Its mouth parts just slightly, revealing more of those razor-sharp teeth. Thick, sticky drool oozes from its maw, the liquid steaming when it reaches the frigid floor of the ice cave.

The worm hungers.

Without warning, the beast rushes forward, emerging from the roof of the ice cave, its massive body stretching toward the group- at whoever is closest, whoever it senses first. Battery narrowly avoids its suddenly parting maw, which snaps open and closed with a haunting hiss. The jagged, rough exterior of the worm catches him just under his chin, sending him staggering backwards as blood begins to seep from the open wound.

Gem attempts to move backwards, but she's too slow. Or maybe her movements, aiming to escape, only further entice the worm. Its head swivels toward her, gnashing hundreds of tiny dagger teeth toward her. Gem's right ear is caught in the worm's mouth, shredding it before she can even register the pain.

In the chaos, the beast's movements send Gypsy flying back against an ice wall. A searing pain shoots through her back right paw, and instinctively the small woman knows something is broken, made evident when she tries to pull herself upright.

Kenway moves to strike the beast, and its reaction is rage-fueled and without mercy. It seems driven by pure malice. It pummels the yearling down into the ice below, sending shockwaves through the tunnel floor, tremors echoing out and sending adventurers tumbling. Crashing down hard onto his lower spine, Kenway feels burning pain rippling through him.

The worm rears back, readying itself for its next strike. A sharp hiss can be heard as it once again moves to strike, this time not holding back.