The first guard reached John before anyone else.
His sword came down hard.
John stepped aside.
The blade struck the stone platform and threw sparks into the air.
John caught the man's wrist.
One twist.
The sword fell.
A quick strike to the chest sent the guard flying backward.
He crashed into two others.
"Three down!" Aerion shouted.
John looked toward him.
"Already?"
Aerion grinned.
"Four, actually."
He slammed his weapon into another guard and sent him across the cavern.
Darius stood several meters behind them, casting defensive barriers whenever someone got too close.
Sylvara stayed beside him.
Specimen 001 was fighting on the opposite side of the chamber.
And it was terrifying.
The massive creature moved with surprising speed, knocking guards aside without killing them.
But John noticed something.
The creature wasn't attacking the researchers.
It was protecting the ancient platform.
Every time someone approached it, Specimen 001 intercepted them.
