Ben grinned, baring his teeth.
The Ravagers circled him, growling low, their bodies tense.
The spines on their backs glowed in a steady rhythm, flashing as they communicated.
Ben moved first.
His foot dug into the dirt, then he was gone.
His body turned into a blur, a shadow streaking across the battlefield.
The closest Ravager barely had time to react before his pickaxe smashed through its skull.
CRACK.
Its body went limp at once.
Blood sprayed as he ripped the weapon free.
Another Ravager snapped at his flank.
Ben twisted, and its fangs missed him by inches.
Before it could recoil, he drove his knee up and crushed its throat with a hard crunch.
The creature gagged and staggered.
His foot slammed down on its skull and finished it.
The others attacked.
Four at once.
Ben's Adaptive Muscles flexed and shifted.
His body moved with clean, efficient motions.
Duck.
Twist.
Step left.
Pivot.
CLANG.
