The Unraveling - It Spreads

The worm only hesitates for a moment. Still, waiting, sensing its next target.

Let me be your distraction, Iris calls out to it, and the worm's dangling head angles itself toward her.

In a flash it dives, slitted maw lined with teeth suddenly gnashing together as Iris is completely consumed.

She's gone. All that's left is a spray of fur and blood, cascading down on the wolves below.

At least her death isn't in vain- it gives the others an opportunity to strike. Wade and Barghest launched themselves at it, Ciaran sending a blade digging into its hardened exterior. It's finally enough to make a dent in the frozen beast, and it lets out a cry of anguish, only worsened by Eldi's attempt to shove a shard of ice between its teeth.

Gem catches its attention, temporarily distracting it from its rampage. But if it understands her words, it makes no sign of it. It pauses, hesitates as if listening.

And then it sends its head barreling towards her, icy shards slashing across Gem's muzzle. Layers of flesh peel away, blood gushing from the wound that will no doubt scar.

The beast is enraged.

It thrashes wildly, its massive bulk sent crashing down on the ice cavern's floor. The sound is deafening, a symphony of shattering ice and creaking of the frozen earth below. Each impact sends shockwaves rippling outward, sending shards of ice raining down from the ceiling.

One falls with terrifying precision, striking Gypsy's left eye. Already unseeing, though the pain is sharp and excruciating, sending blood streaming down her face.

At the edges of the chaos, Makara braces herself, but she isn't strong enough to withstand the tremors. Her paw slips just as another shard of ice crashes down nearby, the impact sending her sprawling- her front left paw lands at a terrible angle, and the bone breaks with a sickening snap.

The worm roars again, a primal sound that sends more ice and rock crashing down from the ice cave's ceiling. Its petals flare wide, head swinging in a wide arc as it searches for its next victim. Their attacks have begun to penetrate it- the worm is visibly wounded, its frozen exterior beginning to crack and ooze clear, viscous liquid- but its rage is obvious.

The worst has just begun.