- The Perovia's Maw (4)

The Nightblade raised its arm towards Gus, facing the palm of its hand towards him in a manner that Gus figured was meant to be threatening in some way. But aside from some symbolic meaning that it might have had, the gesture seemed to do nothing else. At least, not at first.

Without warning, a small, dark swarm of creatures peeled off of the Nightblade's arm and began flying towards Gus. The action was horrifying to see, since it seemed like the very flesh that composed the Nightblade's body was peeling away in small, fractured flakes.

"What the…" Gus loudly exclaimed, mortified by what he was witnessing. From the  corner of his eye, he could slightly make out at least one of the others glancing in his direction as a reaction to his exclamation.