Sprite raised her right arm defensively and a translucent shield formed from a band around her forearm. The piercing nodes deflected off the shield, but their sheer brute force still knocked Sprite off her feet.

“Scotty, what are you doing?” she yelled. But looking at the small man still encased in the madly expanding armor, Sprite didn’t think she saw Scotty in there anymore. His eyes were dark and clouded. Anger, fear, and pain formed a horrific mix on his face.

He would kill her if Sprite let him.

Sprite scrambled to her feet, shield still in front of her.