I couldn’t descend to fight Skadi in the same way. If I went too deep into the cracks, I’d lose powers. I could stay near the opening, though, and rain hell down on her from below.

Unable to see as many details, I was left to shoot more, in hopes the shots would count.

The Wardens had kept tinker devices and master minions in reserve for fighting the Nemean Titan, and now those minions were wrapped up in a tooth and nail fight. Some floundered, losing all capacity, but some didn’t.

“Heads up,” I said, as I lined up more of a shot on Skadi. I couldn’t see as many flickers and flashes suggesting she was under attack. “This might bait her in.”

“Great,” Crystal said, sarcastic.

“Be ready,” Aunt Sarah added, all business, all focus.

In the gloom, I could see Crystal’s expression momentarily change. I could only imagine how complicated her feelings were.

I pulled the trigger. A golden beam pouring into the crack in reality, to the Titan far below, who was trudging toward our civilians. It struck home, gold light splashing on impact, and I had to cancel my shot before it went off course or went too far.

Aunt Sarah flipped around, throwing up a forcefield. Crystal did the same.

Titan Skadi, behind us. She cleaved through one forcefield, then lost momentum cutting through the next.

I kicked the axe-hand before she could move it, and manually reached into the handhold for the trigger while I fell, my forcefield gone. If she had eyes in her face, it would have blinded her, but it didn’t.

In an effort to slow my fall, Crystal threw up a crimson forcefield. I hit it, but the weight of the cannon shattered it a quarter-second later.

My forcefield returned, and I slowed the cannon’s fall. Again, metal strained audibly. It hadn’t liked the ‘catch’ after my diving attack.

Skadi disappeared. Appearing on the other side of us.

The reinforcements arrived once more. Out of the crack, flying and using mover powers, riding giant centipedes, or standing on the deck of a tinker plane with Advance Guard aesthetic and a battle platform on top.

With some careful flying, forcefields, and the help of the pressure from the more mobile reinforcement group, we were able to pull back. I warned my family, aimed and then shot once again for good measure. Skadi didn’t come for us.

I could hear Damsel’s blast as she closed the distance, chasing Titan Skadi. I saw others running through the dark.

We had allies, but a lot of them were ones I didn’t recognize. No Parian, no Foil. Sveta was there but busy, Rain was sleeping, and Kenzie was tracking the Rain situation.

I felt my heart sink as more alerts flashed in the corner of my eye, simultaneous.

The Nemean Titan’s friends.