The Obsidian Ridgeback writhed, its massive forelegs trembling as it hauled itself upright, though its hindquarters remained pinned to the ground. Muscles rippled beneath its obsidian-scaled hide, and its horned head swayed in erratic arcs, eyes glinting with a feral, bloodthirsty light.
Just as the group braced for it to lunge at MelancholyEgg, the beast suddenly wrenched its neck sideways and slammed its skull into the cavern floor with earth-shattering force.
BOOM—
The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the hollow, dislodging ancient stalactites in a lethal rain. Ethan was hurled off his feet, landing hard on his back, the wind knocked from his lungs. For a moment, he just lay there, blinking through the dust, stunned into paralysis.
What the hell?
This wasn't normal behavior—not for a Ridgeback, not for any creature.
