The street outside the Ravenna Apartments was a graveyard of abandoned vehicles. It was also a shooting gallery for the gargoyles that had begun to roost on the rooftops of the neighbouring banks.
Stepping out into the open was suicide. Fortunately, an Architect does not need to step into the open.
"Stay behind me," the command was given to the salvage team.
I raised my hands toward the asphalt. [Skill: Wall Creation].
The pavement rumbled. A slab of black road surface curled upward, forming a curved, waist-high barrier. It wasn't a permanent wall; it was a riot shield made of the street itself.
"Push," I ordered.
The team huddled behind the stone curve. As we walked forward, I used [Matter Manipulation] to slide the wall along the ground with us. We were a moving fortress, a turtle shell inching its way toward the nearest sedan, a beat-up Toyota Camry.
Screech.
A gargoyle dove from the roof of the Starbucks across the street. It slammed into our mobile wall, claws sparking against the asphalt shield.
"Marcus!"
The Brawler didn't hesitate. He leapt over the barrier, swinging his iron pipe with a grunt of effort. The pipe connected with the gargoyle's wing, shattering the bone. The monster shrieked, flapping uselessly on the ground before Silas finished it with a bolt of purple void energy.
"Grab the car battery!" I yelled. "We have three minutes before its friends show up."