For several seconds, neither side moved.
Liam hovered in the middle of the enormous mountain passage, his newly awakened white wings stretched wide behind him. They were unlike anything the Gargoyles had ever seen. Their wings were grotesque things of corrupted flesh and hardened membrane, formed through centuries of darkness and mutation, while Liam’s were completely different. They looked almost unreal, as though someone had taken pure light and given it form.
The feathers shimmered with a faint silver-white radiance.
The air around them seemed cleaner.
Even the darkness surrounding the mountains looked less oppressive wherever Liam’s wings spread.
The twenty-eight Gargoyles stared at him.
Their expressions had changed.
Only moments ago they had been hunting him.
Now they were studying him.
Liam slowly looked over his shoulder at one of his wings.
He flexed it.
The feathers moved.
Thousands of them shifted together with incredible precision, each one responding to his thoughts almost as naturally as the fingers of his hand.
Liam raised an eyebrow.
"That’s interesting."
A Gargoyle suddenly screeched.
Screeeeeech!
The sound snapped the others out of their hesitation.
The creatures attacked.
All twenty-eight moved at once.
Their wings slammed downward.
BOOM!
The entire passage exploded with wind.
Liam’s clothes snapped violently against his body as the pressure struck him from every direction. Dust and small pieces of rock were ripped from the mountainsides and thrown through the air.
The Gargoyles came from above, below and both sides.
There was nowhere to retreat.
Liam smiled.
"Finally."
His wings suddenly folded.
Instead of flying backward, Liam dropped.
Several Gargoyles passed directly over him.
Their claws cut through empty air.
Liam’s body fell between them.
One Gargoyle immediately twisted around.
Its wings folded against its body as it dove after him.
Liam looked upward.
The creature’s mouth opened.
Rows of jagged teeth became visible.
It was coming straight for his head.
Liam didn’t move.
At the last possible moment, his wings opened.
Whoosh!
The sudden force changed his trajectory.
He spun sideways through the air.
The Gargoyle passed within inches of him.
Liam’s eyes followed it.
Then his right wing moved.
Not like a wing.
Like a blade.
The outer feathers hardened instantly.
They aligned themselves into a razor-sharp edge.
Liam twisted.
Slash!
The wing passed directly across the Gargoyle’s back.
For the first time, the creature’s stone-like flesh opened.
Blood exploded through the air.
The Gargoyle screeched as three enormous wounds appeared across its back.
Liam’s eyes widened.
"So they can be cut."
The creature spun around in fury.
Liam smiled.
"Good."
The Gargoyle charged again.
Liam raised his left wing.
The feathers along its edge became sharper.
Then he swung.
Slash!
The creature’s forearm was sliced open.
Dark blood sprayed across Liam’s wing.
The Gargoyle screamed.
It attempted to bite him.
Liam pulled his head backward.
Its teeth snapped shut inches from his face.
He grabbed the creature’s jaw with both hands.
Then he smiled.
"You know..."
His golden veins pulsed.
"...I think I prefer fighting you guys up here."
His knee slammed into the Gargoyle’s chest.
Boom!
The creature folded around the impact.
Before it could recover, Liam grabbed one of its wings.
He twisted.
The Gargoyle was thrown through the air.
It crashed into another Gargoyle.
Both creatures spun violently through the sky.
Liam immediately accelerated.
His wings beat once.
BOOM!
He disappeared.
The Gargoyles barely had time to react.
Liam appeared above them.
His fist came down.
Boom!
One Gargoyle was driven downward.
Its body crashed against the mountain wall with enough force to create a crater.
Before it could fall away, Liam followed.
Another punch.
BOOM!
Its stone-like chest cracked.
The creature’s eyes widened.
Liam punched again.
Crack!
A deep fracture spread across its torso.
The Gargoyle tried to claw him.
Liam caught the wrist.
"Too slow."
He twisted.
The arm snapped with a brutal crack.
The creature screeched.
Liam grabbed its head.
Then drove it into the mountain.
BOOM!
Stone exploded.
The Gargoyle’s head disappeared into the crater.
Liam released it.
The creature dropped.
But before Liam could pursue it, something struck him from behind.
BOOM!
He was thrown forward.
His body spun through the air.
A Gargoyle had slammed into him at full speed.
Liam stabilized himself with his wings.
He turned.
The creature was already coming again.
Liam’s eyes narrowed.
"Alright."
He spread both wings.
The feathers suddenly began vibrating.
A strange pressure gathered around them.
The system’s familiar voice echoed inside his mind.
[Ding!]
[Skill Activated.]
[◆ Feather Shards]
Liam’s eyes widened slightly.
He had almost forgotten about the skill.
The feathers along his wings separated.
Hundreds of them lifted into the air.
They hovered around him.
Each feather had become razor sharp.
The Gargoyles charged.
Liam smiled.
"Go."
The feathers launched.
Whoosh!
Hundreds of white projectiles tore through the air.
The Gargoyles attempted to dodge.
They were fast.
Extremely fast.
But there were simply too many.
The first wave struck.
Thud!
Thud!
Thud!
White feathers pierced through stone-like flesh.
One entered a Gargoyle’s shoulder.
Another tore through its thigh.
Three more pierced its wing.
Blood sprayed through the air.
The creature screamed.
Another Gargoyle attempted to protect itself with its wings.
The feathers punched straight through.
The hardened membrane offered almost no resistance.
The Gargoyle’s eyes widened.
It looked down at the dozens of white feathers sticking through its body.
Then Liam appeared directly in front of it.
The creature raised both claws.
Liam caught them.
"Got you."
His wings moved.
Two razor-edged feathers extended from the base of each wing.
They pierced the Gargoyle’s shoulders.
The creature screamed.
Liam released its claws and grabbed its head.
He pulled.
Then drove his forehead into its face.
Crack!
The Gargoyle’s nose and upper jaw shattered.
It reeled backward.
Liam spun.
His wing swept across its throat.
Slash!
Blood erupted.
The creature’s head nearly separated from its body.
It fell.
Liam didn’t even watch it hit the ground.
Another Gargoyle was already behind him.
He sensed it.
His body twisted.
A claw passed through the space where his chest had been.
Liam’s wing snapped forward.
The edge of the wing struck the creature’s arm.
Slash!
The forearm separated.
The Gargoyle stared at the severed limb in disbelief.
Liam kicked it away.
Then he accelerated.
His wings beat.
Whoosh!
He crossed the distance between himself and another Gargoyle.
His fist connected with its face.
BOOM!
The creature’s head snapped backward.
Blood and broken teeth exploded from its mouth.
Liam followed with another punch.
Boom!
Then another.
Boom!
The Gargoyle’s body was driven backward through the air.
Liam caught up.
He grabbed it by the throat.
"You guys are tough."
His grip tightened.
"But you’re not invincible."
He pulled the creature closer.
Then his wing pierced through its chest.
The sharpened feathers punched straight through its hardened skin.
The Gargoyle froze.
Liam slowly withdrew his wing.
Blood poured from the wound.
The creature went limp.
Liam released it.
Its body dropped into the darkness below.
Screeeeech!
The remaining Gargoyles became furious.
They attacked together.
Liam looked around.
Twenty.
No.
Nineteen.
Several bodies were already falling through the massive ravine.
He counted quickly.
Eight Gargoyles had been seriously injured by Feather Shards.
Three were dead.
The rest were coming.
Liam’s smile disappeared.
"Alright."
His wings spread.
"Let’s finish this."
The Gargoyles attacked from every direction.
Liam suddenly folded his wings around himself.
The creatures collided with the white barrier.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
Their claws scraped across the hardened feathers.
Liam’s wings opened.
A burst of force threw several creatures backward.
Then the system spoke again.
[Ding!]
[Skill Activated.]
[◆ Gale Wings]
The air changed.
Liam’s wings began glowing.
A powerful current formed around them.
At first it was only a breeze.
Then it became a wind.
Then a storm.
The entire passage began shaking.
The Gargoyles struggled to maintain their positions.
Liam looked at them.
"Gale Wings."
He swung both wings.
WHOOOOM!
A massive cyclone erupted.
The wind tore through the passage.
The Gargoyles were caught immediately.
Their bodies were thrown sideways.
Some smashed into the mountain.
Others spun helplessly through the air.
Liam flew directly into the storm.
His wings carried him through the violent currents as though they were perfectly calm.
The Gargoyles couldn’t understand it.
They were being thrown around by his attack.
Liam was moving freely through it.
One Gargoyle tried to escape.
Liam appeared behind it.
His fist struck its back.
BOOM!
The creature was sent flying.
Another came from below.
Liam turned upside down.
His wing swept across its face.
Slash!
Three deep cuts opened across its cheek.
The Gargoyle screamed.
Liam kicked it downward.
It disappeared into the storm.
Another attacked from above.
Liam’s right wing rose.
The sharp feathers pierced through its stomach.
The creature stopped midair.
Liam looked into its eyes.
"You should’ve run."
He pulled his wing free.
The Gargoyle fell.
The storm continued.
Gale Wings transformed the entire mountain passage into Liam’s battlefield.
The Gargoyles couldn’t coordinate anymore.
They were too busy trying to survive the wind.
Liam hunted them one by one.
A Gargoyle appeared through the clouds of dust.
Liam punched it.
Boom!
Another.
Wing.
Slash!
Another.
Feather Shards.
Thud!
Thud!
Thud!
Another Gargoyle tried to hide against the mountain.
Liam saw it.
He flew directly toward the cliff.
The creature opened its mouth.
Screech!
Liam didn’t slow down.
He slammed his shoulder into it.
BOOM!
The Gargoyle was crushed against the mountain.
Liam grabbed its head.
He pulled it free.
Then threw it into the path of another incoming Gargoyle.
The two collided.
Liam followed them.
His fist struck one.
His wing struck the other.
Both creatures fell.
Liam hovered above them.
His golden veins pulsed.
His white wings spread behind him.
Blood stained several of the feathers.
The sight was almost surreal.
A beautiful white-winged figure hovering above a battlefield filled with blood and broken stone.
The Gargoyles began to hesitate.
Liam noticed.
He smiled.
"Now you’re scared."
One Gargoyle screeched.
The others answered.
They began retreating toward the mountains.
Liam’s expression hardened.
"Oh no."
His wings folded.
He accelerated.
Whoosh!
He caught the first one before it reached the wall.
His fist slammed into its back.
Boom!
The creature was driven into the mountain.
Liam grabbed its wing.
He tore.
The hardened membrane ripped apart.
Blood sprayed.
The Gargoyle screamed.
Liam threw the creature downward.
Then turned toward another.
It tried to fly away.
Liam activated Feather Shards again.
Hundreds of white feathers formed behind him.
The Gargoyle looked backward.
Its eyes widened.
"Too late."
Liam moved his hand.
"Go."
The feathers launched.
The creature was struck from behind.
Thud!
Thud!
Thud!
Thud!
Its body jerked violently as the feathers pierced through its wings and torso.
It stopped moving.
Liam flew past it.
Another Gargoyle attacked.
He ducked beneath its claw.
His wing cut upward.
Slash!
The creature’s arm was severed.
Liam spun.
His heel struck its chest.
BOOM!
The Gargoyle was launched backward.
Before it could recover, Liam accelerated.
His fist connected with its face.
The impact shattered the creature’s jaw.
Then another punch.
The head cracked.
Another.
The skull finally broke apart.
The body went limp.
Liam released it.
He looked around.
The number had fallen dramatically.
Twenty-eight Gargoyles had entered the battle.
Only six remained.
The mountainside was covered in destruction.
Blood ran down the stone walls.
Broken claws and shattered pieces of corrupted flesh floated through the air.
Several enormous craters had been carved into the mountains.
The once-perfect stone walls had been transformed into a battlefield.
The remaining Gargoyles gathered together.
They looked at Liam.
Liam looked at them.
For the first time, they weren’t attacking.
They were thinking.
Liam tilted his head.
"What?"
The Gargoyles spread their wings.
Liam’s expression became serious.
They weren’t running.
They were preparing for something.
The six creatures suddenly began circling him.
One above.
Two below.
Three on opposite sides.
Liam slowly rotated in the air, following their movements.
"Six against one."
He smiled.
"You’ve finally figured out numbers."
The Gargoyles screamed together.
Then they attacked.
Liam’s wings opened.
Gale Wings activated again.
The storm erupted.
But this time the Gargoyles didn’t fight against the wind.
They used it.
The creatures folded their wings and allowed the current to carry them.
Their bodies accelerated rapidly.
Liam’s eyes widened.
"Smart."
The first Gargoyle appeared in front of him.
Its claws came down.
Liam blocked with his wing.
Clang!
The second attacked from behind.
He twisted.
The claw ripped across his shoulder.
Blood sprayed.
Liam’s eyes narrowed.
He punched the creature.
Boom!
It was sent flying.
The third came from below.
Liam folded one wing.
The claw passed beneath him.
He kicked downward.
Crack!
The Gargoyle’s jaw shattered.
But the fourth was already there.
Its claw tore through Liam’s side.
Slash!
Blood spilled.
Liam grunted.
He spun.
His wing stabbed forward.
The feathers pierced the Gargoyle’s chest.
The creature screeched.
Liam grabbed its throat.
"You guys really don’t know when to stop."
He drove his knee into its stomach.
Boom!
The creature folded.
Liam’s wing sliced across its neck.
The Gargoyle fell.
Three remained.
They attacked together.
Liam raised both wings.
Feather Shards.
Hundreds of feathers exploded outward.
The Gargoyles dodged.
Liam anticipated it.
He changed the direction of the feathers.
The shards curved through the air.
The Gargoyles suddenly realized they weren’t dealing with ordinary projectiles.
The feathers followed Liam’s will.
One Gargoyle attempted to dive.
A dozen feathers changed direction.
Thud!
They pierced its wings.
The creature lost control.
Liam appeared beside it.
His fist slammed into its chest.
BOOM!
The Gargoyle’s torso cracked.
He punched again.
The chest collapsed inward.
The creature fell.
Two.
The remaining Gargoyles attacked together.
Liam smiled.
He folded his wings.
Then accelerated directly toward them.
The first Gargoyle opened its jaws.
Liam punched it.
The second tried to attack him from behind.
His wing moved without him even looking.
Slash!
The sharpened feathers pierced its chest.
Liam grabbed the first Gargoyle.
He held its head between both hands.
The creature struggled.
Its claws struck his chest.
Liam didn’t release it.
His golden veins burned brighter.
"You know what?"
His grip tightened.
"I’m getting tired."
He pulled the creature closer.
Then his forehead slammed into its skull.
Crack!
Again.
Crack!
Again.
The Gargoyle’s head finally collapsed.
Liam released the body.
Only one remained.
The final Gargoyle hovered several metres away.
Its wings trembled.
It looked at the bodies falling around it.
Then at Liam.
Liam hovered silently.
Blood covered his shoulder.
One side of his shirt was torn.
Several of his white feathers were stained crimson.
But his eyes remained sharp.
The Gargoyle slowly backed away.
Liam smiled.
"You’re the last one."
The creature turned.
It tried to escape.
Liam disappeared.
Whoosh!
He appeared directly in front of it.
The Gargoyle froze.
Liam raised his fist.
The golden light beneath his skin intensified.
The creature opened its mouth.
Screeeeech!
Liam’s fist connected.
BOOM!
The final Gargoyle was launched backward.
Its body struck the mountain.
The stone beneath it shattered.
Liam flew after it.
He grabbed its leg.
Then spun.
The Gargoyle’s body became a blur.
Liam released it.
The creature flew downward.
It crashed into the ground far below.
BOOM!
Silence followed.
Liam remained suspended in the air.
He slowly looked around.
Nothing moved.
The twenty-eight Gargoyles were defeated.
Some lay motionless on the mountain walls.
Others had fallen into the ravine below.
Blood and fragments of stone covered the battlefield.
Liam slowly folded his wings.
The storm disappeared.
The wind died.
The mountain passage became quiet again.
For several seconds, Liam simply hovered there.
Then he looked toward the direction his companions had gone.
They should be far ahead by now.
A small smile appeared on his face.
"Hope they’re already across."
He looked down at the ruined battlefield.
Then back toward the passage.
"Guess I should catch up."
Liam flexed his wings.
They responded immediately.
A faint white glow surrounded him.
He was about to fly forward when a familiar sound echoed inside his mind.
[Ding!]
Liam paused.
The system interface appeared before him.
[Combat Assessment Complete.]
[Twenty-Eight Gargoyles defeated.]
[Host has demonstrated compatibility with Aetherial Wing Combat.]
[◆ Feather Shards proficiency increased.]
[◆ Gale Wings proficiency increased.]
[Additional information detected.]
Liam’s eyebrows rose.
"Additional information?"
The system didn’t immediately answer.
Instead, another line appeared.
[Warning.]
[The defeated Gargoyles were not the true guardians of the passage.]
Liam’s smile slowly disappeared.
He stared at the words.
"...What?"
The system continued.
[Their presence was merely the outermost defense.]
[Host has entered a region classified as...]
The message flickered.
Then a final line appeared.
[Unknown.]
Liam stared at the interface.
For the first time since the battle began, he didn’t smile.
He slowly looked toward the narrow passage ahead.
The mountains suddenly felt much larger than they had before.
And somewhere beyond them...
Something was waiting.
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