Volk’s voice thundered over the chaos, clear and commanding despite the raging battle. His blade caught the dim light as he pointed toward the massive bird’s wings and legs. “Focus your attacks on its joints and underbelly! Bring it down!”

The Horde erupted into action, their ranks tightening and their movements sharpening with purpose. The Ogres roared, their voices like rolling thunder, and charged with renewed vigor. Each of them swung their massive weapons with deadly intent, aiming for the joints of the creature’s wings. Orcs surged forward, spears and axes at the ready, targeting the softer flesh of the beast’s exposed underbelly.

But the beast was far from defenseless.

As if sensing its peril, the bird unleashed a deafening cry that echoed through the peaks. KREEEEEEEEE! The sound rippled through the battlefield like a shockwave, causing the Horde to falter momentarily. Some clutched their ears in pain, their weapons wavering as the sound assaulted their senses.

Volk pressed forward, cutting through the confusion with his blade and his voice. “Hold your ground! Push through it!” His crimson eyes burned with determination as he advanced, his every step deliberate.

The beast reacted violently. It reared back, its wings unfurling with a powerful WHOOSH that sent gusts of wind tearing through the air. Dust and debris swirled around the battlefield, blinding some of the Horde and forcing them to shield their faces. With a sharp beat of its wings, the bird leaped into the air, its talons slicing through the ground where the front line had stood moments before.

Ogres swung their weapons upward, trying to catch the beast mid-air, but the creature was too quick. It swooped low, its talons raking across the battlefield. SLASH! The sound of claws tearing through armor and shields filled the air as Orcs scrambled to evade the deadly strikes. One Ogre managed to block a talon with his massive hammer, but the force of the blow sent him staggering backward, his feet dragging deep grooves into the earth.

Archers loosed volley after volley, their arrows whistling through the air. Most glanced off the creature’s metallic feathers with a sharp PING! A few found their mark, embedding themselves in the thinner membranes of its wings. Black ichor dripped from the wounds, hissing as it hit the ground.

The bird shrieked in fury, the sound reverberating through the canyon. Its red eyes blazed like twin suns, filled with a rage that seemed to fuel its every movement. It lashed out with its wings, the sharp edges slicing through the air like blades. One wing struck a group of Orcs, sending them sprawling across the rocky terrain. Another wing caught an Ogre in the side, the impact so forceful that his armor dented inward with a resounding CRUNCH!

Despite its ferocity, the Horde pressed on.

“Don’t let it escape!” Volk shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. He raised his blade high, his crimson eyes fixed on the creature’s weakened leg. “Target its leg! Bring it to the ground!”

Ogres charged once more, their massive frames crashing against the bird’s side like battering rams. One swung a colossal axe at the creature’s injured leg. The blade bit deep into the joint with a sickening CHUNK! The bird screeched in agony, its talons scrabbling for purchase as it staggered.

The Orcs seized the opportunity, swarming the beast’s underbelly. Spears and axes struck at the exposed flesh, tearing through the thinner layers of protection. Black ichor sprayed across the battlefield, the stench of it burning their nostrils.

But the bird fought back with relentless fury. It lashed out with its talons, sweeping them across the ground in wide arcs. One Orc was caught mid-stride, his shield shattered with a CRACK! as he was thrown backward. Another Ogre swung his hammer, but the bird twisted, its massive beak snapping shut inches from his face with a bone-rattling SNAP!

The beast flapped its wings violently, the gusts knocking several attackers off their feet. It tried to take flight again, its injured leg trembling under its weight. But the Horde was relentless.

“Archers!” Volk barked. “Pin down its wings!”

The archers adjusted their aim, targeting the joints of the creature’s wings. Arrows streaked through the air, their tips glinting like silver as they found their marks. The beast screamed as more arrows pierced its wings, pinning them to the rocky terrain. It thrashed wildly, the ground trembling beneath its massive frame.

Volk pushed forward, his blade flashing as he struck at the creature’s leg. His strikes were precise, each one chipping away at the weakened joint. The beast roared in pain, its movements growing increasingly frantic.

The Horde closed in, their attacks coordinated and unrelenting. The Ogres swung their weapons with devastating force, targeting the creature’s leg and underbelly. Orcs swarmed over the beast, their blades cutting deep into its flesh. The archers continued their assault, their arrows raining down like a storm.

The bird fought with everything it had. Its talons tore through the ranks, its wings lashed out, and its cries shook the air. But its strength was waning. The injuries to its leg and wings left it vulnerable, and the relentless assault of the Horde was taking its toll.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the beast let out a guttural, haunting howl. HOOOOUUUUUUUUU! The sound echoed through the mountains, a mournful cry that sent a chill down the spines of even the most hardened warriors. Its massive frame trembled, its legs buckling as it collapsed onto the rocky ground.

Volk lowered his blade, his chest heaving as he surveyed the scene. The beast lay before them, its once-majestic form battered and bloodied. The Horde stood victorious, their weapons slick with black ichor, their bodies battered but unbroken.

For a moment, silence fell over the battlefield, broken only by the labored breathing of the warriors and the faint, pained moans of the defeated bird. Then, Volk straightened, his crimson eyes gleaming with triumph.

“The beast falls,” he said, his voice low but firm. “Prepare yourselves. The real battle begins now.”

The Horde barely had time to savor their victory. The massive bird, broken and bloodied, lay still on the rocky terrain. Its labored breathing filled the air, mingling with the heavy panting of the warriors. Volk’s crimson eyes remained fixed on the beast, his instincts tingling with unease. Something wasn’t right.

“Hold your positions!” Volk commanded, his voice cutting through the murmurs of triumph. The Horde hesitated but obeyed, their weapons still in hand.

Then, it happened.

The beast’s massive body twitched, a subtle movement at first—a faint ripple across its battered feathers. But it quickly grew more pronounced. Its talons scraped against the ground, claws digging deep furrows into the rocky soil. The creature’s head lifted slowly, its glowing red eyes narrowing with renewed focus.

Volk’s grip on his blade tightened. “Back! Fall back!” he roared, stepping in front of his Horde.

Before anyone could react, the bird let out a low, guttural growl. Its wings, tattered and pinned by arrows, began to quiver. The beast hauled itself upright, its injured leg trembling under its weight. With a pained but determined screech, it began to drag itself toward a small cave carved into the side of the mountain.

“What is it doing?” one of the Orcs muttered, his voice laced with unease.

Volk’s eyes narrowed, his sharp gaze tracking the creature’s movements. “Stay alert!” he barked. “Do not lower your guard!”

The Horde followed cautiously, their weapons raised as they watched the beast crawl toward the cave. Its massive frame cast an ominous shadow over the entrance, the jagged rocks framing it like the maw of some ancient beast.

Volk’s instincts screamed at him to stop the bird, to finish it before it reached the cave. But something held him back—a dark curiosity, a need to understand what was driving the creature. He motioned for the Horde to hold their position, advancing alone toward the edge of the cave’s entrance.

The air inside the cave was thick, damp, and heavy with the stench of decay. Volk’s sharp eyes scanned the dim interior, his vision adjusting quickly to the shadows. What he saw sent a chill racing down his spine.

Scattered across the cave floor were the remains of numerous creatures—bones, scraps of flesh, and broken weapons. In the center of the carnage stood a small, humanoid figure, its green skin glistening with sweat and its wide, terrified eyes locked on the approaching bird.

“A goblin,” Volk muttered under his breath.

The goblin let out a panicked squeal, its tiny hands clutching a rusted dagger as it tried to back away. But the bird was relentless. It lunged forward with surprising speed, its massive beak snapping shut around the goblin’s frail body. CRUNCH! The sound of bones breaking echoed through the cave as the creature swallowed its prey whole.
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Outside, the Horde watched in horrified silence as the beast’s form began to change. The bird’s tattered feathers shimmered faintly, their metallic sheen growing brighter. Its injured leg straightened, the deep gashes along its joints knitting themselves together as if by magic. Black ichor seeped from its wounds, sizzling as it hit the ground and dissipating like steam.

Volk’s eyes widened in shock. “It’s… regenerating.”

The bird let out another ear-splitting cry, this one sharper and louder than before. KREEEEEEEEE! The sound reverberated through the mountains, shaking loose stones from the cliffs and causing the ground to tremble beneath the Horde’s feet.

The beast’s eyes glowed brighter, burning with a fiery intensity that sent shivers down Volk’s spine. Its wings spread wide, no longer tattered but fully restored, their edges gleaming like polished steel. The bird threw its head back and let out a guttural howl, a sound filled with both pain and rage, and yet beneath it lay something else—power.

Volk’s grip on his blade tightened. His voice, calm but laced with urgency, carried over the rising tension. “Prepare yourselves. This isn’t over.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep