Despite the late time of night, the wind-speed amplified by his running, and the small flame lighting the way, Mav didn’t feel the cold. Adrenaline propelled him forward, allowing each footstep to be faster than the last, as well as making him aware of the trees and roots in his path.
If Julio was planning something sinister, Mav would have to–
Boom!
The ground and trees shivered as a quick blast of orange came to life then quickly died in the distance.
“Shit,” Mav said.
The winds howled and sounds of crumbling and cracking stone reached Mav. Another small explosion, then a third, went off. Shouts and screams of people joined the cacophony the nearer Mav drew. As did the swooshes of moving trees, branches, and roots as they whipped at the attacking men.
Two more explosions set off at either end of the clearing. The Bird Titan was swooping down, descending upon a couple men near the mound of destroyed equipment; at the clearing’s opposite end, the Cat Titan was hurling small boulders at a group of employees with its tail; nearby, two men and a woman prepared an explosive as they charged toward the Monkey Titan, which was swinging in the trees. The explosion’s light went out, blackening the scene yet again.
Might as well start with the closest ones. “Rocket Punch!”
Mav leaped, creating a small explosion at his back to shoot him forward. He landed on one of the Monkey Titan’s assailants and used the momentum from his jump to punch the man’s temple. The strike didn’t transfer all his momentum, so he flew a little farther forward. The second man continued staring at the Monkey Titan, twisting an instrument he held in his hand, but the woman glanced at Mav. The moment she did, tree roots shot from below, grabbed her, and dragged her into the forest, while the man evaded them.
“Flashfire Blast!”
Getting in close, Mav threw his palm out and sent a small explosion at the man’s chest. He flung backwards, dropping his instrument which Mav caught. A plastic sphere with glowing lines and a valve met his grip. Mav hadn’t seen this exact model, but it appeared the miners used similar grenades the Peace Keepers did. He twisted the valve back so it wouldn’t explode.
The ground shook, then a rough root wrapped around his legs. He hit the dirt, then slid across it as the roots dragged him into the forest.
“Whoa, hold on!” Mav covered his legs in flame, burning the root. “I’m on your side!”
The Monkey Titan didn’t appear to listen or care. It howled into the night, the surrounding trees quivering and cracking as they moved to meet Mav.
“I’m not gonna fight you,” Mav said.
The Monkey Titan screeched, eyes filled with malice. The trees shot toward Mav. One held bodies in its branches, their limbs and necks bent at extreme angles.
“Fire Shield,” Mav mumbled as he darted forward.
The branches and roots burnt to crisps as they wrapped around Mav. The Monkey Titan howled as if in pain, like Mav’s fire was burning it instead of its attacks.
“Sorry!” Mav roared, running through a blazing cluster of brambles. “Just stop attacking me! Please!”
Mav made it back into the clearing. Several more people knelt on the ground, looking skyward where the Bird Titan held two men in its talons. There was a large canister in the middle of the group, on which two were furiously working.
Before Mav could reach them, heavy pounding sounded on his left. A quick glance revealed the Cat Titan, bounding toward him. Heart in his throat, Mav extinguished his flames and ducked. The Cat Titan leaped over him. Before Mav could catch his footing, however, the Cat’s large tail swooped around his navel and yanked him away.
“Stop!” Mav yelled. He guarded his head as the tail slammed him into the ground. “I don’t wanna fight!”
The Cat Titan didn’t turn to acknowledge him – or maybe the frills prevented it from doing so. Regardless, its tail vibrated, then the dirt and rocks under Mav started creeping over him, as if trying to bury him.
Mav took a breath. “I’m sorry.”
Flames covered his abdomen. The Cat Titan yowled and released him. Two nearby explosions erupted, but now the orange light didn’t disappear: the trees had caught fire.
Mav tore himself from the ground, wanting to run toward the fire to do... something useful. But before he took a step the Cat Titan’s tail whipped him in the side and sent him toward the metallic mound.
Mav covered his head again, bracing for impact, but the mound didn’t stop him. Instead, rough talons gripped his body, jerking him downward. After a moment, heavy wingbeats brought Mav skyward.
“Let me go!” Mav witnessed the scene below. The Cat and Monkey Titans were fighting the miners, more explosives set off, and the fire was beginning to spread. “I’m trying to help!”