For one heartbeat, Sonya could no longer feel Simon.
His footsteps had vanished beneath the thunder of the Furnaceback Centipede, and the familiar disturbance his body created through the earth was gone.
Then came the wet crunch from inside the creature's jaws.
"No…"
The word barely escaped her lips.
Akaza stared at the enormous beast as it raised its head and swallowed. His arms hung at his sides, and the heavy battle intent in his eyes disappeared beneath naked disbelief.
Simon had been there a moment ago.
But now...
Now...
Now.... he was gone.
Sonya suddenly took a step forward.
Akaza recovered the moment he saw her move. He lunged forward and wrapped one arm around her waist before she could run after the centipede.
"Stop!"
"Let go of me!"
"That thing is a Half-Step Abyssal Beast!"
"I know what it is and I'm going to kill it!"
