The liquid armor flashed out, shaking with spasms, tentacles flailing about madly. Scotty’s muscles tightened, his head thrown back, jaw locked, fists clenched.

But the armor still did its job rather well, taking the majority of the hit and protecting the wearer. Holes began forming as the molten armor expanded. Pieces dripped and fell off in nebulous globs, landing on the blacktop, steaming.

Sprite momentarily blacked out and it took a short moment for all her senses to come back online in working order. She first noticed the smell of hot tar. Then her vision returned, and she sat up.