Raiden stepped back, a grin still visible on his face, as he gave them space to brace for impact. Sirius, Xander, and Aurelia readied themselves for battle, each flinching ever so slightly every time another screech echoed through the cavern. The sound gnawed at them, like an itch they couldn't scratch, sending an uncomfortable shiver down their spines. It crawled under their skin, making it harder to focus, their attack-ready stances shifting from the constant discomfort.
The screeching only worsened as it grew louder, closer, until it disoriented them, clouding their thoughts.
'If this keeps up, we won't last through the fight. Damn it!' Sirius gritted his teeth, scanning the cavern. His mind raced for a solution, but it was already too late. The grotesque figures of the abyssal creatures finally came into view.
