Chapter 672 The Ravine (6)
Erik's blade, an extension of his will, wove a deadly arc through the thickening air, cleaving limb from limb, exoskeleton from flesh. Each swing was a show of strength and precision, a brutal ballet.
With each Xeridon Anteris that crumpled to the ground, a gap emerged in their once impenetrable swarm. Their ranks dwindled, yet the intensity in their remaining eyes spoke of a battle far from over.
Right as Erik was on the verge of leaping to a separate area of the wall, Mira's voice reverberated from her vehicle.
"Erik, we're almost out of the Ravine! Get back here!"
His gaze shifted toward the convoy, his eyes narrowing with scrutiny. The vehicles were just a hundred meters away from the exit, their engines roaring and echoing through the rocky terrain.
He knew he could make it back, but doing so would leave the convoy vulnerable and unprotected.
The risk of being overwhelmed by the swarming Xeridon Anteris was too great for them to ignore.
Erik's resolve hardened as he pushed himself to swing his Flyssa faster, each strike a blur as he cleaved through the swarm.
Each movement was precise and calculated, every stroke a display of skill and control.
His rampage was like a hurricane, obliterating everything in its path, and leaving behind a gruesome trail of dismembered Thaids.
The sound of engines filled the air as the first vehicles emerged from the dark maw of the Ravine, bringing Erik a wave of relief.
Yet, he couldn't allow himself to celebrate until he had made sure that everyone was safe.
He continued his deadly ballet, his blade twirling and spinning like a dancer in a macabre performance. The Xeridon Anteris were relentless, but Erik was a tempest they couldn't contain.
"ERIK!" Mira said.
As the last vehicle cleared the threshold of the Ravine with a rumble of its engine, Erik's heart filled with anticipation, knowing that the moment he had been waiting for had arrived.
After taking a final, sweeping glance at the swarm surrounding him, he coiled his legs and made a powerful leap.
Fueled by adrenaline, the jump was a remarkable display of athleticism, as it soared through the air in a gravity-defying arc.
With unwavering focus, his gaze remained locked on the rooftop of the trailing vehicle, defying the laws of time as it stretched and slowed around him.
As the vehicle sped away from the Ravine, he landed with a thud, feeling the grip of his boots on the metal.
Taking a brief pause, he remained in that location, his chest heaving as he recovered his breath.
After that, he turned around and directed his gaze towards the swarm of Xeridon Anteris, who were still attempting to pursue the convoy, but this time on the surface.
While the convoy picked up speed and left the shadowy Ravine behind, Erik found himself unable to resist stealing a final glimpse backward. The Xeridon Anteris were not giving up .
Like a breathtaking living waterfall, they descended the towering walls of the Ravine with astonishing speed, their hooked claws gripping the rock.
The moment their feet touched the ground, they wasted no time and broke into a sprint, their six legs working in unison to propel them forward in a frenzied rush.
However, even with their agility and increased speed granted by their brain crystal abilities, they were unable to compete with the mechanical power of the convoy, especially now that the vehicles were free from navigating the treacherous road of the narrow ravine.
As time went on, the distance between them and their quarry continued to grow wider.
With their engines humming and tires kicking up dust, the vehicles roared down the open plain, leaving the swarm further and further behind.
In a display of determination, the Xeridon Anteris went beyond their usual capabilities, their mandibles snapping in frustration and their antennae twitching erratically. However, all their efforts were in vain.
The convoy was pulling away, and the gap was now too wide to close. The collective group of insects lost speed, transitioning from a fast sprint to a leisurely jog, and, to a demoralized crawl.
After a long while, they came to a halt. The Thaids stood together in silence for a moment, resembling a vast ocean of glistening exoskeletons, almost as if deep in thought over their unsuccessful chase.
Following what appeared to be an unspoken order, they changed direction and retraced their steps, retreating into the depths of the Ravine, where they had emerged, disappearing.
Observing their departure, Erik's eyes narrowed as he pondered the situation. Although they had evaded death in this instance, the encounter served as a powerful reminder of the wild and untamed perils that loomed in this world.
As the Ravine vanished from sight and became a speck on the horizon, Erik shifted his focus ahead.
Even though there were still many miles left to cover and many challenges to face, at least for the moment, they could take solace in the fact that they had emerged victorious from this battle. And that was enough.
Erik's face lit up with a wide grin, reflecting his delight. As the Ravine vanished from sight, absorbed by the vastness of the landscape, Erik sheathed his Flyssa.
***
With grace, Erik landed on the roof of his vehicle. As Erik descended into the vehicle's interior, he exchanged a nod with the driver, who appeared both relieved and astonished to see him back.
The radio crackled to life in his hands as he turned the dial, connecting with Kael's voice.
"Kael, do a quick check. Is everyone still alive? Are there any injuries?" Erik's voice carried a sense of urgency, even though he kept a steady demeanor.
He knew well that during battles like these, the rush of adrenaline often had the power to disguise the pain caused by injuries, rendering them visible only after the immediate threat had diminished.
There was a brief pause before Kael's voice crackled through the radio. "Doing a headcount now, boss. Give me a moment."
Erik waited, his eyes darting back and forth as he scanned the convoy through the reinforced windows.
While the vehicles were in motion with no issues, the expressions on the faces he observed were a blend of relief, exhaustion, and underlying fear. Finally, Kael's voice came back on.'s voice came back on.
"Looks like we're all here, Erik. A few minor injuries, scrapes, and bruises mostly, but nothing serious."
Erik's exhale was visible in the cool air, his shoulders unclenching from their battle-ready tension. "Well done, Kael. See to their wounds swiftly." His eyes, moments ago narrow with focus, now roved over the crew in the cars behind, softening as they met each gaze. "Tell them they've done more than survive; they've excelled."
"Will do," Kael responded, relief clear in the ease of his stance, the radio crackling slightly as he spoke. "Erik, the way you fought... it changed the game for us. You saved us."
A hint of a smile flickered across Erik's face, a momentary break in the stoic mask he wore. "We fight because we must, Kael." His eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, catching a glint of the setting sun on metal and glass. "But keep your guard up. Danger still lurks. Erik out."
Taking a break from his tasks, he put the radio back in its holder and relaxed in his seat, savoring a moment of respite.
Although they had survived, this was the first part of a long and perilous journey, with countless unknown dangers lying ahead.
The radio crackled as Mira's voice came through, laced with concern that seemed to pierce through the static. "Erik, that was too close for comfort. Are you hurt anywhere?" Her steady tone couldn't hide the underlying worry.
Erik keyed his mic, a small smile on his lips despite the adrenaline still pumping through his veins. "I'm fine, Mira. Just a few new scratches to add to the collection." He glanced down at his arms, the marks thereon badges of the day's survival.
Lila's voice interrupted Mira and Erik, vibrant and full of life. "That was incredible, Erik!" The awe in her voice danced through the frequency. "You were like a storm, just sweeping them away. How do you even move like that?"
"It's all in the wrist," Erik responded with a lightness that belied the danger they had just escaped, his hand making an unseen flourish in the confined space of his vehicle. "And a bit of practice, I suppose."
There was a moment of silence before Aiden's voice came through the radio. "Your blade work out there saved the convoy." Erik could imagine Aiden's scrutinizing gaze, assessing every detail as he spoke. A pause hung in the air before he said with a hint of mirth, "And they say I'm the one with quick reflexes."
"Thank you, Aiden."
On her end, Mira listened, her expression softening with each exchange. Lila's grin was almost audible over the radio. She knew Erik had a problem opening up to others.
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