The Hive Queen stood in the center of the vast, chamber-like clearing, her monstrous form nearly ten meters tall.
Her exoskeleton shimmered black and green, coated in metal-hard carapace that reflected the ambient light like polished steel.
Her face was a horror—multi-eyed, antennae twitching, and a jaw that dripped sizzling venom.
And around her…
Dozens of insectoid guardians.
Each one like a knight—taller than a man, plated in thick armor, their arms replaced with serrated scythes or glowing energy blades, their wings humming low and fast.
Then, without warning—
The Hive Queen screeched.
And the battle began.
Elius launched forward, his flying swords zooming ahead in a cross-formation.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The blades bounced off the Hive Queen's exoskeleton, sparks flying. Not even a scratch.
Clint pulled both pistols and fired six shots.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
