The silence left by Ura'Nek's corpse was shattered by the wind.
A violent gust swept across the battlefield, carrying with it the sharp scent of ash, steel… and something else.
Something ancient.Something predatory.
A shadow crossed the sky.
Not like a cloud.Not like a bird.
Like a blade.
It wasn't just fast.It was silent, deadly, and high above reach.
Zhar'Kor, the Skystalker… had arrived.
Fighting on land was one thing.You could brace yourself.You could hear footsteps.You could see their eyes.
But fighting something in the sky… was like trying to stop a storm with bare hands.
Zhar'Kor circled high, its massive wings blending into the sky.Gray like dusk, feathers sharp like razors, eyes glowing like twin stars of wrath.
Its tail — a long, scorpion stinger — swayed beneath its body, dripping with venom potent enough to paralyze an elephant in seconds.
—He's marking targets —Matías said, narrowing his eyes.
—He's picking us apart from above, waiting for the weakest to move —I replied.
We were exposed.Even Excalibur couldn't reach him mid-air.
I tightened my grip on the sword.
—We need to ground him.
The first attack came without warning.
A sonic boom cracked above us — and before I could blink, pain exploded across my shoulder.
Zhar'Kor had dived and sliced through my armor in one smooth pass.The wound wasn't deep… but it burned.
The venom.
I dropped to one knee, gritting my teeth as a cold sensation crept up my arm.
—Diego! —Matías was already beside me, placing a hand over the wound.
A warm light enveloped me, pushing back the numbness.His healing wasn't just energy — it was pure will.
The kind that defies death.
The pain dulled, but my breathing grew heavier. The venom lingered.
—He won't give us time —I said, eyes scanning the skies.
Zhar'Kor turned, wheeled, and came again.
This time, the stinger aimed for my neck.
Matías threw up a barrier of light, deflecting it — but the force of the impact sent both of us tumbling across the ground.
I rolled, blood trailing from my arm.
I was too slow.He was too fast.And worst of all… he could wait.
Predators with wings didn't rush.They hunted until prey fell from exhaustion.
—We can't win like this —Matías said, breathless.
—No. We can't —I admitted.
I stood, body aching, Excalibur heavy.
But we didn't have the luxury of retreat.Below us… the fortress depended on our fight.
—We need to force him to commit. To come lower.—How?
I looked at Matías.
—We give him what he wants.
His eyes widened.
—You mean… bait?
I nodded.
And then I stepped forward into the open.Blood dripping. No shield. Exposed.
Zhar'Kor noticed.
The sky split with his cry.His wings folded.
He dove.
—Now —I whispered.
And Matías… was already moving.