Hunter had spent his last arrows supporting Hamza and Mike against the demon army. But when he saw Mike release that blast of terrifying red and black fire, every hair on his arms stood on end. His instincts screamed one word: death.
Woden's voice echoed in his mind.
"That is the power of the First Dragon. That is the power the gods fear."
"First dragon?" Hunter asked.
"Yes. Bahamut is among the oldest of the gods whose statues reside in the temple. And perhaps… the most terrifying." Woden paused. "Many will fight to gain his allegiance or eliminate the threat he poses. This is why I told you: never engage him in battle."
Hunter chuckled, watching Mike hover, then dive toward the commander.
"I hear you, old man."
BOOM!
The impact sent demon soldiers flying in all directions. Dust and smoke filled the air.
Mike had driven his claws downward but they met resistance. Bune's massive black greatsword halted the blow midair. With a sneer, Bune flung Mike aside with little effort.
The smoldering horse beneath him reared, eyes glowing like firey furnace coals. The Duke's voice a shrieking, scraping mockery cut through the chaos.
"They send me you? This is the threat we were warned about? How pitiful."
Mike lunged again, but Bune batted him aside with the greatsword like an insect. Another slash tore through his scales blood spilled down his arm.
More demon soldiers appeared from the sides of the battlefield. The war horns echoing with the appearance of each new wave of soldiers. The anxiousness starting to build in his chest as he couldn't land an attack on Bune. Exchanging multiple more attacks, Mike felt the burden on his body. He could feel himself flowing down.
"You are too weak! You need to run." Bahamut growled at him. The voice filled with dissatisfaction.
The battlefield was breaking. Roars of pain echoed from Hamza's direction. Hunter was screaming something about reinforcements. The tide was shifting fast and not in their favor.
Mike turned and started to fly toward Hamza.
"I have my own way out! Get Hunter!" Hamza roared, just before a fiery portal swallowed him whole. Whips of fire trailed as it dissipated.
Redirecting midair, Mike shot toward the last place he'd seen Hunter.
Below, Hunter fought like a man possessed, swinging a sword one-handed, clutching his torn side with the other. Demons surrounded him, spears landing deep. Blood pooled beneath his boots.
"Come get me, fuckers!" Hunter shouted, spit and blood flying. "I'll take you all down with me!"
Mike slammed into the battlefield, talons grabbing Hunter just as another spear plunged into his side.
"Hang on!" Mike shouted, wings pushing him higher. "I'm getting you out of here!"
More fissures opened in the earth behind them. Horns blared. A swarm of demons emerged, seeing a trail of blood Mike left in the sky as he flew into the distance.
He flew miles before his muscles started burning, his wings felt heavier and slower. He saw a group of buildings approaching as he struggled till his body gave out.
Landing hard on the rooftop of the closest building, he laid Hunter down, trying to stop the bleeding.
"Hunter! Hey can you hear me?!"
Eyes fluttered open. "I can hear you. Stop shouting." Hunter groaned, glancing around. "Where the hell are we?"
"I don't know," Mike growled, struggling to stay upright. "Some rooftop. We're far enough out for now."
"I need to stop this bleeding or I'm not waking up again."
Mike scanned the landscape. "No hospital… but there's a wrecked ambulance a few blocks away."
"Take me." Hunter rasped. "Now."
Mike lifted him again, flying toward the overturned vehicle. Pain screamed through every muscle in his back. He ignored it.
Landing beside the wreck, Mike tore the doors off and pulled the stretcher free. Hunter stumbled inside, rummaging through the supplies with bloodied hands.
Another warhorn echoed in the distance.
"Fuck," Mike muttered. "They're still coming."
Hunter staggered out with a red trauma bag over one shoulder, using a staple gun on his open wounds. "I've done what I can. But I can't run."
Mike grabbed him and took off again, flapping hard toward the tallest cluster of buildings nearby. He burst through a stairwell window, ascending in heavy bounds, and crashed into the top floor.
The space was an empty office, cubicles, shattered glass, and broken vending machines.
Mike set Hunter down on a ragged couch in an large office, then stumbled to the breakroom, claws tearing open snack machines.
He dumped the food and drinks beside Hunter, then collapsed on the floor breathing like a dying animal.
Hunter looked over, pale and trembling. "What's the plan?"
"We wait. Regain strength. Soon as I can fly again, we move."
Mike's head hit the floor. His world went black.
In the darkness, he dreamed of Kelsey.
Of losing her. Of the rage he could not control.
The warhorns still howled in the distance, growing closer with each passing breath.