"Move!" she ordered while maintaining her position. "I'll contain it!"
Some veteran soldiers remained with her, but most began their hasty retreat.
The artromus watched them depart with cruel amusement, like a predator that knows its prey can't really escape.
With fewer people maintaining the metallic restrictions, the task of containing the monster became exponentially more difficult. The bands that before enveloped it like an endless net now barely managed to slow its movements.
Step by step, the artromus gained ground.
Selene could feel her arms trembling each time their attacks clashed, fatigue beginning to take its toll.
"Commander!" A veteran captain shouted while maintaining his summon active. "You must retreat! Losing you would be catastrophic for the city!"
Selene shook her head, drops of sweat mixing with the blood still flowing from her eyes. "If it explodes and escapes, we'll lose dozens of soldiers in the retreat!"
