Spider came charging outside and, remembering the mist from last night, stopped talking for long enough to get through the only other door he could see. It felt wrong, this ... being cautious.
Unlike the time before, the yard was now clear of fog. Cross blinked, somewhat surprised as he stepped out into it. Once again there was the sound of combat, but this time he could see the source with the light of his flashlight. There were other patients here, fighting some sort of crazed animals.
He should help them, but he also needed to test out his abilities while he still had the chance. It was a tough decision, but one he made quickly. The ground around him lit up for a moment as the intricate halo formed over his head. Wings spread fully from his back (as usual, somehow leaving the clothing unharmed).
But oh, it was so draining! That wasn't usual at all! It worked, yes, but he wouldn't be able to hold them for long. How was this place capable of restricting their abilities as it did.
There was no time to think. He launched himself quickly from the ground.
There was something about the latest arrival on the field that drew attention from above, where a dark shape was perched on the edge of the building's roof. The aquila's ragged feathers rustled as it half-spread its wings, preparing to take flight - but then the prey did the same, and took to the air. Coming even closer, as though it wanted to be attacked.
The aquila was, as ever, willing to oblige a deathwish, most especially in prey so temptingly pure as this one. Without another pause it also took to the air, talons gleaming sharp and silver as it plunged to meet its incoming target.
Finely honed combat senses warned Cross of danger, and the only reaction available to him at this point, given the limits of his abilities, was to move. His wings beat forward harshly, sending him backwards and just out of the way of the first strike.
A bird, then. Similar to the one he'd seen attacking those boys before. (Were they all right? He'd have to check once he was free of this one.)
Even as he moved, he could feel himself tiring just from the use of his wings. It was ridiculous, but he'd have to bring the fight to the ground soon, somehow, though that would put him at an even greater disadvantage.
The peculiar winged creature managed to avoid the aquila's stoop, and the bird gave voice to its annoyance in a piercing shriek as it veered up again, broad wings beating against the air to regain altitude. It certainly was unusual to have prey take to the air like this, but then, it had never encountered prey quite so tempting before.
Once high enough again, the aquila abruptly turned climb into dive and plummeted directly toward the one invading its airspace. This time, surely, he couldn't get out of the way fast enough. Could he?
It was coming at him again. Cross made an effort to dodge again, but he felt sharp talons tear through the front of his shirt, leaving shallow gashes in their wake. That was far too close for comfort and nearly much worse. He needed to get back to the ground.
Staying on the ground would make him an easier target, but he'd probably fall anyway if he didn't land soon. He'd have to make a run for the door - rethink his exploration ideas.
It had come so close, so close that time, and the aquila's talons convulsed involuntarily at the scent of blood, even faint as it was. Beak gaping in a silent scream this time (lest it alert any of its brethren to this particular prey, if they hadn't been already), the avian wheeled about to attack once more.
In a different situation perhaps it would have sought some of the more easily obtained prey out on the field, but not with this one before it. This one was entirely too tempting, too pure and enticing to the senses.
Cross was diving downward. He wasn't too high up, so it didn't take him long to return to the ground, where the wings and halo vanished immediately. He stumbled a few steps after landing, falling to his knees. With the bird hot on his trail he could stay there, though, and he was up again quickly.
There were still others on the field, but he'd have to make a run for it. They might at least see the danger and find safety themselves.
In the air, on the ground - it didn't really matter where its prey went to, the aquila would follow for as long as it was able. It merely changed its course to pursue the prey lower to the ground, neck stretched out as it strained to fly faster still.
It had to catch this prey before it could run back inside, after all. He couldn't be allowed to escape.
There had never been a time Cross could remember where he'd been so worn out from doing so little. A thought about the well-being of his roommate after that tiring transformation to bird and back came to mind, but it was fleeting as he ran for his life. He'd check on him later.
The bird was getting nearer, and as he felt it ready to close in he fell flat to the ground in the hopes of avoiding its sharp talons.
Just as the aquila thought its talons would close on its prey at last he abruptly fell to the ground, too fast for the bird to react. It shrieked its fury as it was forced to abruptly pull up lest it strike the building, wings beating furiously to arrest its forward motion.
For now it was forced to concentrate on not causing injury to itself; though it struggled to turn about and return to the hunt as quickly as it could, there would be a moment before it could.
Pushing himself to his feet, Cross continued his rush for the door. It was close now, but the bird had the advantage of speed now that he was on the ground. If only his rings would work...
A quick glance down at his hand revealed that the ring on his thumb had fallen off. He stopped in his tracks immediately.
It must have come loose when he hit the ground. He ran the beam of his flashlight over the ground quickly, and was lucky enough to find it reflecting off metal just a few feet back. Despite the danger, he made haste to dive back for it.
Though the aquila did succeed in not causing itself injury by running into the building in its pursuit of prey, it did not manage to make it back into the air again easily and was forced to land on the field. Considering that its target had unexpectedly reversed course, though, that put it between him and the building.
Being on the ground lost it some advantages as well, but its talons and beak were still quite sharp and its prey still too tempting to give up easily. It half-spread its wings as it turned back toward Cross, lunging toward him with beak gaping open.
Cross knew going back for the ring was a risk, but it was one he was willing to take. As much as he shouldn't be attached to material things, these were his sister's. Her treasure. He couldn't allow them to be lost, especially here of all places.
The bird was now between him and the door. His hand to hand combat skills should still be top notch, though he was already tiring. They wouldn't be much against beak and claw, but if it would allow him the time he needed to get inside, then he'd run straight at it.
He did so now, arm pulled back with the intent of dodging to the side and connecting with the creature's head.
Dodging to the side, unfortunately, wouldn't leave him completely in the clear. It did save him from having a piece taken out of him by the aquila's razor-sharp beak, but it also brought him closer to one of the oversized avian's wings.
With its wing already half-spread, it took little effort for it to swing out and back, driving a powerful blow toward the deliciously pure prey-creature, even as in turn his fist struck nothing but tufts of ragged feathers on the side of the bird's head.
The wing knocked Cross backwards several feet to the ground, where he lay dazed for a few precious seconds. The bird would be on him quickly, so he did his best to stagger back to his feet...
Its prey was down for the moment, and the aquila was only too pleased to take advantage of the opportunity it was given. A single downstroke of its wings gave the avian enough lift to drive at Cross with talons poised and ready to knock him back down again even as he tried to stand.
Unlike the time before, the yard was now clear of fog. Cross blinked, somewhat surprised as he stepped out into it. Once again there was the sound of combat, but this time he could see the source with the light of his flashlight. There were other patients here, fighting some sort of crazed animals.
He should help them, but he also needed to test out his abilities while he still had the chance. It was a tough decision, but one he made quickly. The ground around him lit up for a moment as the intricate halo formed over his head. Wings spread fully from his back (as usual, somehow leaving the clothing unharmed).
But oh, it was so draining! That wasn't usual at all! It worked, yes, but he wouldn't be able to hold them for long. How was this place capable of restricting their abilities as it did.
There was no time to think. He launched himself quickly from the ground.
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The aquila was, as ever, willing to oblige a deathwish, most especially in prey so temptingly pure as this one. Without another pause it also took to the air, talons gleaming sharp and silver as it plunged to meet its incoming target.
[tiassa~]
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A bird, then. Similar to the one he'd seen attacking those boys before. (Were they all right? He'd have to check once he was free of this one.)
Even as he moved, he could feel himself tiring just from the use of his wings. It was ridiculous, but he'd have to bring the fight to the ground soon, somehow, though that would put him at an even greater disadvantage.
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Once high enough again, the aquila abruptly turned climb into dive and plummeted directly toward the one invading its airspace. This time, surely, he couldn't get out of the way fast enough. Could he?
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Staying on the ground would make him an easier target, but he'd probably fall anyway if he didn't land soon. He'd have to make a run for the door - rethink his exploration ideas.
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In a different situation perhaps it would have sought some of the more easily obtained prey out on the field, but not with this one before it. This one was entirely too tempting, too pure and enticing to the senses.
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There were still others on the field, but he'd have to make a run for it. They might at least see the danger and find safety themselves.
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It had to catch this prey before it could run back inside, after all. He couldn't be allowed to escape.
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The bird was getting nearer, and as he felt it ready to close in he fell flat to the ground in the hopes of avoiding its sharp talons.
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For now it was forced to concentrate on not causing injury to itself; though it struggled to turn about and return to the hunt as quickly as it could, there would be a moment before it could.
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A quick glance down at his hand revealed that the ring on his thumb had fallen off. He stopped in his tracks immediately.
It must have come loose when he hit the ground. He ran the beam of his flashlight over the ground quickly, and was lucky enough to find it reflecting off metal just a few feet back. Despite the danger, he made haste to dive back for it.
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Being on the ground lost it some advantages as well, but its talons and beak were still quite sharp and its prey still too tempting to give up easily. It half-spread its wings as it turned back toward Cross, lunging toward him with beak gaping open.
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The bird was now between him and the door. His hand to hand combat skills should still be top notch, though he was already tiring. They wouldn't be much against beak and claw, but if it would allow him the time he needed to get inside, then he'd run straight at it.
He did so now, arm pulled back with the intent of dodging to the side and connecting with the creature's head.
Reply
With its wing already half-spread, it took little effort for it to swing out and back, driving a powerful blow toward the deliciously pure prey-creature, even as in turn his fist struck nothing but tufts of ragged feathers on the side of the bird's head.
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