The pale custodian descended with terrible velocity between Juna and the narrow rock cleft where Olin lay pinned.
All six segmented bands rotated like scything blades as the creature plunged toward the floor of the sanctuary.
Juna crossed low beneath the first two sweeping edges before the creature's main torso struck the stone.
Her claws smashed against a fractured chitinous plate on its flank, deflecting its downward momentum sideways.
Three flexible appendage bands drove directly into the floor margins around its landing crater to anchor its frame.
Hajin channeled a single crimson ring, sending the Legendary Chain whistling through the narrow opening between them.
The glowing links wrapped tightly around the lowest appendage band, locking the limb in an inescapable bind.
The pale-gold circles across the walls brightened in response, observing the struggle like a watchful planetary eye.
