Before I could get much closer and more intimate with the ground that I ever wanted to, something broke my fall.
Even before I recognized the monkey grip on my shoulders, I recognized the smell of blood and a wet rat. Then there was also a buzzing of dragonfly wings.
"Union!" I gasped, realizing what saved me.
The rat squeaked something, carrying me to the ground and dropping there unceremoniously.
A moment later, the White Wing Emperor's corpse fell a dozen meters to the side. The impact of the fall shook the earth and raised a cloud of dust in the air.
It also rattled my already weary bones even more.
The Union poked its noses at me—there were four of them now, way too much!—and I groaned, trying to push it away. However, my hands refused to move as well as I wanted.
"Stop… stop that… rat… I'm thankful, but you are gross…"
