Its banshee cry was unanswered. In the distance, birds scattered and vermin dove into their holes, but no other response sounded. Only silence, as the rift-beast drew in a deep breath once more, slitted eyes closing. Its long tongue retracted back into its maw, before it stopped completely.

Silence was restored, even as all those nearby were rendered deaf by its call.

And then, a flash of clarity. Its eyes snapped open, all focused on one target now, a singular direction to travel. Like a clap of thunder, it drove its clawed feet into the ground, half a ton of dirt kicked up with a single stomp. The red lines that traced its body flared up into an incandescent white as it propelled itself singlemindedly forwards. Towards something that only it could sense.

Towards the two that stood in its way, and the one that attempted to retreat.