A scream, raw and full of pain, echoed through the entire forest. It came from the bird man, now sprawled on the ground with his wings pinned by thin, sharp spears of earth jutting up beneath him.
The spears were narrow enough not to shred his wings completely, but the damage was crippling — enough to ensure he would never fly again.
Blood soaked his feathers, and he didn't stop screaming. This was the worst pain he had ever felt in his life. He had always been the talented one, the unbeatable one — no one could challenge him.
But this man… no… this is not a man. This is something else. And he don't know what.
For the first time, fear gripped the bird man's heart. He looked up and saw Eccar walking toward him. The black scales that had once armored Eccar's arms were gone now, his tan skin restored.
Eccar sat beside him calmly, knowing the bird man couldn't move anymore.
