The Lord of the Vale staggered back, reeling slightly from the unexpected strike. Pain flashed across his face, a rare show of vulnerability from the otherwise composed creature. Despite the injury, the gleam in his remaining eye suggested that the battle was far from over.
The Lord of the Vale, clutching his injured eye, sneered through the pain. "I suppose you 'foodlings' have discovered some unique talents," he hissed.
As Ashaiki readied for a follow-up attack, the creature acted with terrifying speed. He raised his hand, and a barrage of red bands shot out, striking Ashaiki squarely in the chest. The force was immense, sending her hurtling through the dense brush of the woods. The sound of her body breaking branches echoed through the air, a chilling reminder of the creature's power.
