"Alright, have it your way," Max said finally, his voice low and clipped. With a casual motion of his hand, he used his Omni Guard skill. A hexagonal barrier of forcefield shimmered into existence, its green edges glowing faintly as it expanded to surround the three fallen geniuses.
With a flex of his will, the shield lifted, raising them off the ground in a large protective cocoon. They floated behind him, carried by his power. "If anything happens to them," he added coldly, "it will not be my fault."
Nina's eyes softened with relief, though her face remained solemn. She gave him a single nod before turning to Evan. Evan's gaze lingered on Max, wary and tense, but in the end he also nodded. For both of them, this was enough. They could not accept abandoning their companions to die in the wasteland, where a swarm of centipedes could erupt at any moment and tear them apart.
