The air grew heavy with tension as Varek's compass began to spin wildly. Max's eyes narrowed, his instincts screaming that something was wrong. Before he could react, the needle stopped abruptly, pointing directly at him.
Varek's expression shifted from calm to something far darker. His bloodshot eyes glowed a deep, menacing red as he stared at Max.
"You..." Varek's voice was low, trembling with barely contained rage. "You killed my daughter."
Max blinked, caught completely off guard. "What? I don't even know who you are, let alone your daughter!"
Varek's body began to change, his form twisting and contorting as his bat-like wings grew larger, his limbs elongating into something monstrous. His face became a grotesque mix of man and beast, his fangs bared and his claws extended, in an instant tea turned into a half bat, half man, beastholder.
"You can't lie to me!" Varek roared, his voice echoing through the sky. "This compass doesn't lie. It led me to you, it's either you who took her life!, or you were involved. I don't care either way... "
Max's mind raced. In all honestly he wasn't sure if he was innocent or guilty, but there was no time to argue. Varek's transformation was complete, and he lunged forward with terrifying speed.
Woosh!
Max dodged the first strike, his black wings carrying him backward through the air. "Listen, you madman! I don't know what you're talking about! I've killed no one in my life! I am innocent".
Varek didn't listen. His blood-red eyes were locked onto Max, his movements fueled by pure rage. He lunged again, his claws slicing through the air where Max had been just moments before.
Max cursed under his breath, his wings beating furiously as he shot through the sky.
Varek was fast, too fast for comfort, but Max had the slight edge in speed. Still, the half-bat creature was relentless, his pursuit unwavering, and Max could tell he couldn't shake him off at least not with speed alone... More importantly that compass can track himself...
"You can't run forever!" Varek snarled, his voice a guttural growl. "I'll tear you apart!"
Max glanced over his shoulder, his mind racing. The landscape below offered no mountains for Lucy to control, and the crows were still too young and weak to help. He was on his own for now.
"Crazy fool!" Max shouted, dodging another swipe of Varek's claws. "I didn't kill your daughter! This is some kind of mistake!"
But Varek wasn't listening. His rage had consumed him, and he was determined to make Max pay, no matter what.
The chase continued, Max weaving through the sky with Varek hot on his heels. The half-bat creature's roars echoed through the air, a constant reminder that escape wouldn't be easy.
Max's mind raced as he flew. One thing was clear: this wasn't going to end without a fight.