The stake jerked up as if it weighed nothing. The Preta's arms were thin, no thicker than Radeon's, yet the wood rose in its grip with ungodly ease.
It planted one heel, tilted forward, and then it was gone.
An afterimage. A gust that stank of grave damp.
It was suddenly right in front of them, eyes bulging, tongue whipping the air.
"Run," Radeon roared.
Fay turned and sprinted for the exit. Stone scraped under her soles. Cold air tore at her lungs.
A swarm of infant shaped Tiyanak surged after her, giggling and panting, but she did not look back. She did not care. She only ran.
Behind her, Radeon grabbed the stake the Preta held and drove his qi hard. His sole and the ground below linked as if he were a tree.
A Hundred Ton Sutra. He anchored himself, shoulders set. For one breath he became immovable.
The Preta yanked, veins standing out under its ghastly pale skin. The ground shook and Radeon was uprooted.
It swung him and flung him across the cavern.
