Damian's fire carved the opening wider, burning through layers of quivering, muscle-thick flesh.
Behind him, the stomach cavity convulsed—digestive fluid rising like a black tide as the enormous organ spasmed in pain.
"Caleb—seal it!"
Caleb pressed both palms to the smoking edges.
A burst of frost erupted outward, racing across the scorched membrane, crackling into a thin, pale seal.
The frozen ring shimmered, holding back the heaving digestive surge by sheer luck and pressure.
"Go!" Ethan hauled Marcus through.
Marcus clutched Neol tighter—
the weak-bodied Esper's skin gnawed open in multiple ringed wounds, his face still wearing that eerie, blissful Mirage-smile.
Damian ducked through last.