The beast stood on the spire like a monarch surveying its kingdom. Its immense wings spread halfway open, their span easily twice the height of the tallest Ogre in the Horde. Each feather shimmered like molten silver, refracting the dim mountain light into shards of radiance that danced across the rocky terrain. Its chest, broad and powerful, rose and fell with each labored breath, the metallic sheen of its feathers making it appear as though it were sculpted from living steel.

Its head, sharp and angular, seemed almost regal, crowned by a jagged crest of obsidian-like spikes that ran down its neck. Its glowing red eyes burned with fury, scanning the Horde below with an almost disdainful intelligence. The talons gripping the rocky perch dug deep grooves into the stone, each claw curved like a scimitar and dripping with a viscous, black ichor that hissed and smoked where it fell, melting the stone it touched.

Volk’s crimson eyes locked onto the beast, and his lips curled into a tight snarl. He felt the weight of the Horde’s collective hesitation pressing against his back. He could sense their unease. This wasn’t just another foe—it was a force of nature, a predator honed to perfection by centuries of dominance.

But hesitation was not an option.

“Attack it!” Volk roared, his voice slicing through the tension like a war drum. His blade shot upward, catching the light, and with that single motion, the Horde sprang into action.

The ground trembled as the Ogres charged, their massive frames shaking loose boulders and sending debris tumbling down the mountainside. Orcs followed closely behind, their battle cries echoing through the peaks as they raised their weapons. Archers loosed volleys of arrows, their tips glinting like shards of sunlight as they arced toward the beast.

The first arrows struck, clanging harmlessly off the creature’s metallic feathers like stones against steel. Ping! Ping! The sound rang out, a mocking reply to their efforts. The beast didn’t flinch. It tilted its head, those glowing red eyes narrowing as if in amusement.

Then it moved.

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With a single, thunderous beat of its wings, the creature launched itself from the spire. The gust of wind it created was like a storm, throwing the nearest Orcs off their feet and sending arrows spiraling uselessly into the air. WHOOSH! Dust and loose stones kicked up in its wake, forcing the Horde to shield their eyes.

“Hold the line!” Volk bellowed, his voice cutting through the chaos. He pointed his blade forward, signaling the Ogres to press the attack.

The beast descended like a meteor, its talons outstretched and its cry piercing the air like a blade. KREEEEEEEEE!

The first Ogre, a massive warrior wielding a tree-sized club, swung with all his might. The club struck the beast’s side, the impact reverberating through the air with a deafening BOOM! But the creature barely shifted, its feathers absorbing the blow like armor. It retaliated instantly, one talon slashing across the Ogre’s chest. Sparks flew as claw met armor, and the massive warrior staggered back, his chestplate torn and smoldering.

Another Ogre roared and charged, swinging an enormous axe in a wide arc. The blade connected with the beast’s wing, carving a shallow groove through the metallic feathers. The creature screeched, a sound so loud and sharp it felt like nails scraping across the soul. It whipped its head around, its beak snapping shut inches from the Ogre’s face with a CRACK!

Orcs swarmed in, their smaller frames darting between the Ogres to strike at the beast’s legs and underbelly. Swords, spears, and daggers rained down in a flurry of attacks. CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! Most blows glanced off, their weapons scraping uselessly against the creature’s impenetrable feathers.

“Focus on its wings!” Volk commanded, his voice a beacon amidst the cacophony.

The archers adjusted their aim, targeting the creature’s joints where the wings connected to its body. A few arrows found their mark, piercing the softer, thinner membranes. The beast shrieked in pain, its wings faltering for a moment as blood—thick and black as tar—dripped to the ground.

But the creature was far from finished.

It lashed out with its talons, sweeping them across the ground in a wide arc. The Horde scattered, diving for cover as the claws tore through the earth, leaving deep gouges in their wake. One Orc wasn’t fast enough and was sent sprawling, his shield shattered into splinters.

The beast reared up, its wings spreading wide. It flapped once, the force of the wind enough to send several Orcs tumbling backward. Dust and debris clouded the air, obscuring the battlefield.

Volk moved through the chaos like a shadow, his blade flashing as he struck at the creature’s legs. His attacks were precise, aiming for the joints where the armor-like feathers thinned. Sparks flew with every strike, but the beast’s movements were too quick. It twisted and snapped at him, its beak narrowly missing as he ducked and rolled out of the way.

An Ogre roared, charging in with a massive hammer. He brought it down with a thunderous CRASH! The ground trembled as the hammer struck the creature’s back, forcing it to stumble. The beast screeched in rage, its tail lashing out like a whip and catching the Ogre in the side. The massive warrior was sent flying, his body crashing into a boulder with a sickening THUD!

“Regroup!” Volk shouted, his voice cutting through the din.

The Horde fell back, forming a tight circle around the creature. The Ogres braced themselves, their weapons at the ready, while the Orcs shifted into flanking positions. The archers nocked fresh arrows, their aim steady despite the tremors running through the ground.

The beast hissed, its chest heaving as it glared at the assembled Horde. Black ichor dripped from its wounds, staining the ground beneath it. Its feathers, once pristine, were now marred with gashes and streaks of blood.

Yet, for all their efforts, the beast stood tall, defiant, and unbroken.

“It’s strong,” one of the Ogres muttered, his voice a low growl. His massive hands gripped his weapon tightly, the veins in his arms bulging with the effort.

“But not unbeatable,” Volk said, his voice firm. His crimson eyes burned with determination as he raised his blade once more. “We’re wearing it down. Stay together. Stay focused. We’ll take it down—piece by piece if we have to.”

The Horde roared in unison, their resolve unshaken despite the monster’s overwhelming power. They tightened their formation, preparing for the next wave.

The beast, sensing the renewed determination of its foes, spread its wings once more, its glowing red eyes narrowing. It let out a final, ear-splitting KREEEEEEEE! before launching itself back into the fray.

…

The cacophony of battle surrounded Volk, yet he stood apart from the chaos, his crimson eyes locked onto the beast. His Horde fought valiantly, their roars and cries mingling with the screeches of the monstrous bird. The ground shook beneath their relentless attacks, but Volk was not there to simply join the fray. He had a different role—a purpose far more critical. His sharp gaze studied the creature with an intensity that bordered on predatory.

The beast was majestic in its terror, its massive wings beating the air in powerful bursts that sent gusts of wind ripping through the battlefield. Each flap scattered dust and debris, obscuring vision and throwing off the Horde’s coordinated strikes. The metallic sheen of its feathers caught the light, their surfaces appearing almost impervious to damage. It moved with a combination of raw power and grace, each motion a calculated strike that sent Ogres and Orcs sprawling.

Volk’s mind raced as he analyzed its every move. Those feathers… they’re not just armor, are they? They’re absorbing impact, deflecting blows. His eyes narrowed as he watched an Ogre’s hammer glance off the creature’s flank, the sound of the impact ringing out like steel against stone. It’s like the feathers are alive, reacting to each strike to minimize damage.

He observed the way its talons gripped the earth, gouging deep trenches into the rocky ground. They weren’t just weapons; they were anchors, stabilizing the beast even against the combined assault of his Horde. It’s using the terrain to its advantage, Volk thought, his sharp mind piecing together the creature’s tactics. Every motion is deliberate. It’s not just fighting—it’s outthinking us.

His gaze shifted to its head, where the jagged crest of obsidian-like spikes gleamed menacingly. The spikes seemed almost ornamental at first glance, but the way they flared when the beast screeched suggested otherwise. A defense mechanism? Or maybe… a signal? Volk wondered, his brow furrowing.

As he watched, the creature let out another ear-splitting cry, its glowing red eyes narrowing as it scanned the battlefield. The sound seemed to invigorate the beast, as though it drew strength from its own voice. The Horde faltered briefly, their movements slowing under the oppressive weight of the sound. Volk gritted his teeth, his ears ringing from the piercing wail. That cry isn’t just a call—it’s a weapon.

He shifted his focus to the beast’s movements, the way its massive wings folded and unfolded with mechanical precision. The wings weren’t just tools for flight—they were shields, battering rams, and blades all at once. When an Orc charged from the side, the beast pivoted, one wing snapping outward with a WHUMP! The edge of the wing struck the Orc like a greatsword, sending him flying across the battlefield.

Volk’s eyes narrowed further, his mind calculating. The wings are its greatest weapon. But they’re also its greatest liability. They’re massive, cumbersome… and vulnerable at the joints.

His gaze traveled downward, to the creature’s legs. Thick and muscular, they ended in talons that dripped with black ichor. Each step the beast took left smoldering imprints in the ground, the acidic liquid eating away at the stone. But as Volk watched, he noticed something peculiar: the beast’s movements were deliberate but not fluid. There was a stiffness in its stride, as though it favored one leg over the other.

He studied the leg more closely, his sharp eyes catching the faintest hint of discoloration beneath the layers of feathers. A faint scar ran along the joint, its surface raw and uneven. An old injury, Volk realized, his lips curving into a sly smirk. That’s why it’s relying so heavily on its wings. It’s compensating for a weakness in its leg.

But there was more. Volk’s eyes darted to the creature’s underbelly, where the feathers thinned slightly, revealing patches of exposed skin. He observed how it kept that part of its body shielded, turning its side toward the attackers and keeping its vulnerable underside out of reach. It knows its weaknesses and is guarding them well, he thought, his admiration for the beast growing despite himself.

As the battle raged on, Volk began to notice patterns in the creature’s movements. When the Horde pressed too close, it would rear back, spreading its wings wide to create a buffer. When they tried to attack from range, it used its cry to disrupt their focus and scatter their formations. Its strategy was as sharp as its talons, its instincts honed by countless battles.

Volk’s mind worked tirelessly, cataloging every detail, every motion, every reaction. The wings are armored. The talons are acidic. The cry disrupts coordination. But it’s not invincible. He replayed the creature’s movements in his head, dissecting each action with surgical precision. The old injury slows it down. The underbelly is soft. The wings can’t shield everything at once.

Suddenly, his crimson eyes widened. His breath hitched as the pieces of the puzzle snapped into place.

The wings—they’re the key.

He watched as the beast lashed out with a powerful flap, sending another wave of Orcs sprawling. For all their strength and versatility, the wings were massive, unwieldy. When fully extended, they left the creature exposed at the joints and along its underbelly.

Volk’s lips curled into a feral grin, his sharp teeth glinting in the dim light. He clenched his fist, the excitement coursing through him like a storm. The creature was strong—immensely so—but it wasn’t invincible. It had a weakness, and now Volk saw it clearly.

He straightened, his blade gleaming as he raised it high. The battlefield seemed to slow around him, the cacophony of battle fading into the background. His voice rang out, cutting through the chaos like a blade.

“Prepare yourselves! I’ve found its weakness!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep