While the coalition army wrestled with the ostrich-faced ghouls, Huan Yi's troops emerged from the tunnel, landing on a purple sand beach that bordered an infinitely vast red ocean. Red, yes, because these waters seemed dyed in the blood of the billions of lives that had perished underneath from time immemorial.
But the Autarch's troops didn't have time to catch their breath and enjoy the scenery, because as soon as they crossed the exit, high-pitched bird cries resounded from above, announcing the descent of starving predators.
A handful of the warriors paused to watch these bird-like creatures--shocked by the sight of flying abominations with the upper bodies of dark-purple orcas and the lower extremities of an eagle. Gigantic wings flapped at their backs, releasing dark feathers that dropped on the Red Palace army like falling meteors.
