Its eyes which were massive, lidless, and glowing faintly with unnatural light, snapped upward.
Locked onto them.
Garrick's heart dropped. "It— it's looking at us."
"It can't reach us," Garrick added quickly, though doubt crept into his voice. "We're too high."
The creature stared.
Then as if to answer their challenge, wings tore free from its sides.
Great, membranous things unfurled with a wet, ripping sound, sending shockwaves through the air. The sea below exploded outward as the creature launched itself skyward, water cascading from its scales as it climbed with horrifying speed.
Garrick shouted. "DAMN IT— IT FLIES?!"
Skylar's wings beat once, powerfully.
Damien's expression didn't change.
"It's a peak Grade Four," he said calmly, eyes tracking the rapidly ascending monster. "Strong. But not enough."
The creature was abnormally fast, its massive body defying reason as it surged upward, closing the distance with terrifying intent.
Flap! Flap! Flap!
