The Soul Attack struck the tiger. It growled, eyes wide, coughing blood as a roar of pain ripped from its throat, echoing through the forest canopy.
Blood dripped from its fangs as it stared at the figure now clearly visible on the tree branch—Lizarius.
It's still alive! Lizarius thought in disbelief.
With a snarl, it lunged at the tree. One powerful swipe of its paw shattered the trunk, sending it toppling.
Lizarius leapt off, wings flaring.
One attack isn't enough to kill it, he realized grimly.
Landing on another branch, Lizarius stared down at the tiger, which now crouched low to the ground, growling.
Muscles coiled like springs beneath its striped fur as it launched itself upward in a blur of motion.
Then I just have to keep attacking until it dies.
Lizarius narrowed his glowing golden eyes.
In that moment, the tiger threw one paw in front of its face, shielding its eyes from Lizarius's gaze.
The golden light flared uselessly.
The tiger struck with its other paw. Lizarius snapped his wings open and twisted, narrowly dodging the deadly swipe.
It covered its eyes! Lizarius realized, his wings flapping hard to keep balance.
It's blocking eye contact—disabling the Soul Attack.
The tiger's claws ripped through the branch Lizarius had just vacated, the tree cracking and groaning under the force of the blow.
How did it know? Lizarius wondered, eyes narrowing.
How did it know the Soul Attack required eye contact?
The tiger landed beside the ruined tree, growling low, never looking away from him. Its gaze was sharp, calculating.
This one's different from the rest, Lizarius thought. Strong... and smart.
The tiger suddenly roared. The shockwave blasted through the forest, rattling leaves and striking Lizarius mid-air.
He flapped hard, wings slicing through the air as he fought to stabilize.
Then—another surge of spiritual energy. The tiger leapt, soaring skyward like a missile, paw raised.
It can jump this high?!
Lizarius crossed both wings just in time.
The tiger's claw slammed into them with crushing force, and the impact reverberated through his body.