Benedict backpedaled out of the way as the beast fell face-first to the ground with Wrath's triumphant form weathering the fall gracefully. It was a victory well earned.

But before the private detective could call out to Wrath in congratulatory camaraderie, the redhead's air was all squeezed out of him. He made nothing more than a wheezing sound as his lungs were squashed along with his ribs and other organs. He tried to gasp but the grip around his body was tight.

His mind raced as he struggled uselessly. Of course one of the other creatures would take advantage of their distraction to strike. The giant serpents that roamed the area were still prowling about looking for prey, after all. Now one of them had Benedict wrapped up in its coils as it reared its head back for a strike to render its prey dead via venom.