Nero's body spun around as the spear in his grip shot out faster than a viper's strike.
The darkness behind him exploded with movement.
Three more pale figures lunged from the shadows, their mouths already split wide, the ridges of their throats undulating as they let out that same accursed sound as the first one, their white eyes reflecting nothing. Gungnir's tip caught the first one in the chest, punching through sternum and spine with a wet crunch before Nero yanked it free in a spray of black blood.
The corpse collapsed to the ground, struggling and twitching for a moment before going still.
The other two didn't slow down, instead dropping onto all fours as they skittered towards him.
Nero twisted, bringing Gungnir around in a wide low arc that forced them back momentarily. His heart hammered in his chest as he registered what was happening.
No matter how he wanted to look at it, this was clearly a trap. One he had clearly foolishly walked into with his own two legs.
