Wartune

  * * *

  The giant-eyed creature ignored Alkorn and the gryphon riders as they approached.

  His plan was simple enough. They would draw its attention with small attacks, and lead it away from the main battle. If it pursued them, they would find a place where the creature could not call upon the aid of its allies, nor do any harm to the Yaloran troops. Once they were far enough away they would test for its weaknesses.

  They managed to avoid most of the attacks from below as they passed over, losing only one of the fifty gryphons. When they reached the eye-thing, they began to strike, shooting arrows and casting spells. One soldier tried jumping directly onto the creature, but found himself trapped in a thick goo. It took three other gryphons, as well as his own, to pull him free. The creature ignored them.

  Alkorn drew his sword, and flew towards the creature's giant eye. He struck, cutting a long slice along the white. The creature began to flail, killing dozens of its own troops. It took a swipe at Alkorn, but he was too fast, and flew out of reach. The creature began to chase after him, killing more and more of its allies.

  They continued to lead it long after both armies were out of sight. Whenever the eye-thing got distracted Alkorn would fly in again and cut another chunk out of its eye. A silver liquid bearing little resemblance to blood dripped down in gigantic drops, crushing those unlucky enough to be caught beneath.

  Once Alkorn deemed them sufficiently distant he signaled, and the other gryphons and riders directed their attacks to the giant eye as Alkorn had. Arrows remained useless, and magic was ignored, but claw and sword had enough strength behind them to cause minor wounds.

  Alkorn grew impatient, and flew too long beside the creature, attacking multiple times. Suddenly the earth was rushing towards him, his gryphon flying away from him. Another gryphon saw him falling and tried to fly towards him, but was struck away.

  Alkorn hit the ground with a thunderous thud. He lay, unable to breathe for a moment, the creature spinning in front of him. A gigantic tentacle crashed towards him, and he managed to rouse himself just in time. He reached for his sword, which had fallen nearby, and struck just as the creature’s tentacle came.

  The slime-covered tip flew away with a rush of the silver liquid.

  Alkorn screamed. He tried to rise, but immediately fell to all fours. The armor on his back began to rise away from his body. The straps snapped, and it fell to the ground, useless. His back began to bubble, heaving pustules that cascaded outwards. Two crystal buds burst out. They slowly began to expand, doubling in size, then doubling again and again. Finally, when the pain subsided, Alkorn stood and flexed.

  One of the other soldiers landed beside him. “My lord…you…you have wings.”

  Alkorn looked back and grimaced, knelt to grasp his sword, then leaped into the air. He flew awkwardly, know but not knowing how to use his newly-gained appendages. Like a bird falling from the nest for the first time he found comfort. When he was ready, he flew straight for the creature's giant eye. He struck it a dozen times before a tentacle came for him. When it did, he cut the slimy flesh, and continued his vicious attack.

  He dug a hole deep enough for him to crawl into, and then cut deeper. He pierced the eye, and a torrent of purple gushed towards him, knocking him once again to the earth. He wiped the muck away, then flew up high into the air. He clasped his wings against himself, then fell into a dive, piercing into the creature's gaping wound.

  The soldiers watched in horror and when he had not returned they began to lose hope. Finally, the creature shuddered, and fell to the earth. The gryphons began to claw at the dead monstrosity's eye, widening the gap. They almost gave up hope when Alkorn crawled through, gasping for air.