When the second tear opened up in the earth, Shield was frankly fucking sick of it.

They lurched for the far side of the widening gap, the one away from the doorway they'd come through - and Shield thought all of them had made it before a jump was needed, for a moment.

There was a distinct, echoing clicking sound from behind them, and Litany jerked his head round and WAILED.

Shit. Creature.

Creature was staring at the now sizable gap, sizing it up. If it fell in the middle... Shield's chest lurched.

"DON'T- LEAVE IT, JUST - TRY TO GO AROUND-" Creature paused, head swinging up, dull gray dead eyes gleaming faintly in the light, staring at Shield across the chasm. Oddjob's hoof tapped.

"The gap could go on for miles." Shield turned to argue, brow furrowed, and swore.

"Well, we won't know until we-"

"The path here - it's blocked off on either side. It may be safer, but they would be lost, for a while."

Shield swallowed.

The sound of jagged hooves over stone was suddenly echoing in the space between, Creature was moving, taking a running leap and-