Sael's mind raced as he bounded between the wind platforms, each leap calculated to maintain an erratic pattern. The creature's black eyes tracked his movements with predatory intelligence, confirming his suspicions.
'Good. Intelligence means patterns. Patterns mean weaknesses.'
He suddenly shifted direction mid-leap, feinting left before spinning right on a fresh platform. The monster's head followed the false movement for a split second—enough time for Sael to note the delay in its reactions.
The creature's mouth began to glow with that ominous purple light again, but Sael was already three platforms away, the bow transforming in his hands. The living wood flowed like water, extending and branching until it resembled a massive net of interconnected branches.
"Let's see how smart you really are."
His burned jaw throbbed with each word.
