The moment I step onto the next floor, the air changes. It's thinner, colder, filled with a metallic scent that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. The chamber is massive, open—like an arena designed for a fight. But unlike the previous floors, there's no immediate danger lurking in the shadows.
Not until I hear it.
A low, mechanical hum, followed by the sharp *whoosh* of something slicing through the air. I look up, and that's when I see it.
The Winged Beast.
It descends from above, its massive wings spreading wide, casting a shadow over the entire room. The creature is a grotesque fusion of flesh and machine, its body towering and muscular, but its wings… they're not like any wings I've seen before. They're made of sleek metal, each feather a sharp, deadly blade that glints in the dim light. The creature's eyes glow a sickly yellow, and its mouth opens to reveal jagged, metallic teeth.
Its wings slice through the air with a sound like knives being sharpened, and with a sudden, violent beat, it launches itself upward, disappearing into the darkness above. But I know it's not gone. It's circling, preparing to strike.
I crouch, my claws flexing as I prepare for the inevitable. My muscles are screaming from the previous fights, my skin still burning from the acid of the Spider Fusion's webs. But I push the pain aside. This is a different kind of fight. This isn't something I can overpower with brute force.
This thing is fast. It flies.
And it's coming for me.
Without warning, the Winged Beast dives toward me, its wings slicing through the air with terrifying speed. I barely manage to dive out of the way as a volley of razor-sharp feathers shoots toward me, embedding themselves in the floor where I stood just moments ago. Each feather is a weapon, gleaming and deadly, cutting through the metal floor with ease.
I roll to my feet, eyes tracking the creature as it circles above, its wings spread wide like a vulture preparing to strike. It dives again, this time unleashing a barrage of energy blasts from the mechanical components in its wings. The blasts rip through the air, exploding against the walls and sending shards of debris flying everywhere.
I dodge and weave, leaping from platform to platform, using every ounce of speed I can muster. But the creature is relentless. It never stays on the ground, never gives me a chance to strike back. Each time it swoops down, I'm forced to either dodge or take cover behind the scattered wreckage of the arena.
My mind races as I try to figure out how to fight this thing. I've never faced anything like it before. It controls the air, staying just out of reach, bombarding me with attacks from a distance. I need to get close, but how?
I leap onto a nearby wall, digging my claws into the metal and pulling myself up. From here, I can see the entire arena, the platforms scattered across the floor like stepping stones. I wait, eyes narrowed, as the creature circles again.
When it dives, I'm ready.
I leap from the wall, throwing myself toward the creature with everything I have. My claws extend, aiming for its wings, but the beast is faster. It twists in midair, slashing at me with its metallic feathers. One of the feathers catches my side, tearing through my flesh like a blade. Blood sprays from the wound, but I don't stop. I manage to grab hold of one of its wings, my claws digging into the metal, and for a moment, I hang on, the wind whipping around me as the creature tries to shake me off.
But it's too strong.
With a violent twist, it throws me off, and I slam into the ground, the impact knocking the air from my lungs. I roll onto my side, gasping for breath, blood pouring from the gash in my side. The pain is blinding, but I can't afford to stop.
The Winged Beast screeches from above, its glowing eyes locking onto me as it prepares for another attack. I force myself to stand, ignoring the blood dripping from my wounds. My vision blurs for a moment, but I blink it away. This thing isn't invincible. I just need to find its weakness.
The Winged Beast dives again, and this time, I'm too slow. Its metallic wings cut through the air, one of them slashing across my chest. The impact sends me flying backward, crashing into a nearby platform. I gasp in pain, blood flowing freely from the deep gash in my chest. My healing factor kicks in, but it's not enough to keep up with the damage I'm taking.
I struggle to my feet, the world spinning around me. My entire body aches, every muscle straining just to keep moving. The Winged Beast hovers above, its wings spreading wide as it prepares for another barrage of feathers. I don't have much time.
I leap from platform to platform, my claws digging into the metal as I climb higher, trying to reach the creature. But each time I get close, it flies out of reach, sending another volley of feathers or energy blasts in my direction. The feathers slice into my arms, my legs, every inch of me bleeding as I fight to keep up.
I grit my teeth, pushing through the pain. I've come too far to die here. I won't let this thing beat me.
I watch the creature closely, studying its movements, its patterns. Every time it swoops down, it leaves its wing joints exposed for just a moment. That's my chance. That's the weak point.
The Winged Beast dives again, its wings cutting through the air like a guillotine. But this time, I'm ready.
I leap toward it, timing my jump perfectly. My claws extend, aiming for the joints where the wings meet its body. The creature screeches as it realizes too late what I'm doing, but I don't stop. I slam into its back, digging my claws into the wing joints with all the strength I have left.
The metal tears beneath my claws, and the creature lets out a deafening scream, its body twisting in midair as it tries to shake me off. But I hold on, ripping through the metal and sinew, tearing the wings apart piece by piece.
With one final, desperate pull, I tear one of the wings free.
The Winged Beast screeches, its body spiraling out of control as it crashes to the ground. The impact shakes the entire floor, dust and debris filling the air as the creature's massive form lies broken and defeated.
I stagger toward it, my breath coming in ragged gasps, my body screaming in pain. But I'm still alive. I've won.
Without hesitation, I tear into the creature's flesh, my teeth sinking into its metallic body. Its blood is thick, bitter, but I don't care. I devour it, my body absorbing its power, healing my wounds with every bite.
The pain fades, replaced by a surge of strength. My vision clears, my muscles no longer aching.
The Winged Beast is dead.
And I'm still standing.