987 Checkmate

"Surrender. You know you can't win against us," Nigel taunted, laying out his final ultimatum. "You're in checkmate, and you know it."

Hade's gaze darted left and right, keeping a wary eye on his many foes. Yet, despite his desperate situation, his eyes betrayed no sign of surrender. The previously congenial demeanor of the Gorgonite faded, seeing that the human wasn't ready to accept his offer.

"Do it," Nigel commanded, his voice resonating as deeply as an earthquake.

The Gorgonite squeezed the silvery, sponge-like sea urchin in his grasp, and the same shrill, harrowing sound that Hade had heard earlier echoed once more in the corridor. Hearing this sound, Epsilom and Drakon, who had been standing still with vacant eyes, jerked erratically as if struck by an electric shock.

This scene held a sense of déjà vu for Hade, and as he watched their grey eyes roll in their sockets independently before locking onto him, his heart froze in his chest.