[2-5] Exodus from the Nose Crash

[Kenpachi Zaraki]

Following Cyborg’s impressive display of strength, Nanaki stood on shaky legs and watched as the volcanic titan descended into the surf. Its molten frame screeched as white-hot rock and slag met the chilly drink, the ear-splitting crescendo all but drowning out the creature’s guttural bawls. As he watched vapor stream from the now-boiling swell, the feline briefly entertained the thought that the beast had been felled. He exchanged a brief look with the mechanized man before turning back as the seawater began to churn ominously.

“He’s not down!” Christa cried. Red heard her voice wavering slightly as she fought against what looked to be agonizing pain rolling over her. She had drawn her rifle, taking aim at the beach.

“This is not good,” Cyborg commented, the metals that comprised his fist rapidly shifting to form a futuristic cannon. “We have to put it down for good,” he said, the weapon’s servos shimmering with energy. 

Red offered nothing but a nod, squaring his shoulders as adrenaline took hold of his muscles. It was in battle that the fiery feline always felt closer to his heritage, the thrill of the hunt dampening his higher mental faculties. His every sense seemed to heighten as the needle swayed from humanity to bestiality. The damp sand beneath his paws, the chilly sea breeze, the salty pungent smell of seaweed; he could feel it all. He was one with it. 

All at once the group’s moment of tranquility came to an end as the molten colossus exploded from the surf, spraying superheated steam and boiling water in all directions. Though it now stood nearly waist-deep in an opposing element, it seemed to only be riled by the circumstances. The burning gash it its side was apparent -- a product of Christa’s creative use of explosive ordnance -- magma dribbling from the wound and into the roiling depths. With a thunderous roar it threw back its head, releasing a thick spray of ash and burning cinders into the already polluted air. Before any of the trio could react, a luminescent orb of energy appeared in its craggy palm, rapidly growing to the size of a basketball before rocketing forward and slamming Cyborg in the torso. The blast exploded violently on impact, leaving Red reeling and sending the intended target airborne, only to leave him prone and motionless some three meters behind. 

A deafening crack drew Nanaki’s attention from his downed comrade, the hulking volcanic avatar wavering slightly amid the waves as one of Christa’s high-velocity rounds impacted with its shoulder. The slug did little by way of damage, save for loosening a few shards of slate from its rocky ‘armor’. Choosing her as its next target, the magma golem raised its hand once more, its uneven, rocky digits rapidly shifting as its fist reformed into a stony turret of sorts. At this, Red took off into the surf, epinephrine spiking his blood and largely drowning out the pain of scalding water against his flesh. He was soon reduced to a less intimidating doggy paddle as he surged toward the lumbering titan, racing to reach the destroyer before he could do too much damage to his battered ally. 

“Fuck YOU,” Christa all but roared, losing another round into the beast’s chest. Had their foe been anything short of the embodiment of nature’s destruction that it was, the well-placed shot would have pierced its heart --assuming machinations of fire and rage had hearts-- ending it there. Sadly, her blustering tone soon gave way to cries of pain as the hulking beast sent a volley of molten projectiles screaming toward her. A sideways glance showed Nanaki that she had managed to sidestep the bulk of the destructive salvo, though what had impact was taking its toll.

“Not...down yet!” Cyborg’s bassy voice called, firing a blast from his hand-cannon as he lay on the sand, propped up on his elbow. The enforcer was damaged, but refusing to stay down as his allies continued their assault. Of the human qualities that Red had seen time and time again, this (arguably foolish) risking harm for the well-being of one's comrades was among the most admirable.

The attack on two fronts had put the lumbering golem on the defensive, causing it to raise its mammoth hands to cover it ‘face’ as it pressed forward, striding back toward the beach. As Christa took a moment to assess her wounds and frantically reload her rifle, the magma titan took aim at Cyborg, spraying him with obsidian shrapnel. The cybernetic humanoid rolled in the sand to avoid the spray, sustaining a few hits in the process.

Nanaki could take no more. At the sight of his allies being hammered by the magma fiend, Red let loose a menacing howl, focusing intently as he drew energy into his body. The colossus ignored the call, raising an arm to pepper the duo yet again. Before it could get its shot off, its arm was struck from behind, a fireball detonating at the elbow joint and causing chunks of stone to crumble from the limb. Pausing its hellish assault for a moment, the golem turned slowly ‘round to see a burgundy beast rocketing out of the waves, glowing with azure energy. Red struck before the titan could adequately raise a defense, slamming his magically-fortified shoulder into the titan’s stony chest. The top-heavy destroyer was left unsteady by the impact, losing its balance and splashing into the shallows. The fiery feline took initiative, springing from the water onto the downed titan in a single smooth movement. He quickly scampered across its chest, snarling as he raked his claws across the fallen giant’s ‘eyes’ repeatedly, feeling the molten optics scorch his claws and cook his digits. Despite the pain he refused to relent, tearing again and again into what he only hoped was the beast’s method of sight. 

“Red, look out!” the feline heard Cyborg announce, just seconds before a rocky tomb enclosed around him. The feline could scarcely react before he was lifted from the downed titan and tossed away like an unwanted stray, into the depths. Nanaki heard the colossus emit a thunderous roar before all sound was swallowed up and he sank below the waves.