"This..." Ignatius observed the transformation with genuine interest, "looks more like a true tamer's fusion."
The mercenary extended his newly formed wings on his arms, each feather glowing with contained power. The transformation was elegant, almost beautiful in its symmetry.
"Isn't it?" he smiled, his features now more avian like the director's but maintaining a harmonic balance with his human form.
"Although..." his smile widened, "one of the things my body learned after so many abyssal 'experiments' is how to extract... more."
Ignatius barely had time to react.
The mercenary's golden claws passed grazing his face as he threw himself backward. The Director used his own phoenix claws, blocking the second attack by millimeters, golden feathers clashing against golden feathers.
