Flight to Sol - WL 4: Chapter 1

The docks below had erupted in chaos before Soul arrived. They’d flown up to a high cliff to avoid the destruction and terror at least for the moment. Powerful gusts of wind pummeled him and his companions from behind and corrupted wisps whizzed past their ears and descended onto the city. The storm was only growing stronger, and while Habanero, Soul, and Vanical were currently trying to catch their breaths and regroup, it didn’t seem like it would be possible. The rumble of thunder drowned out most of the commotion as the city fell under attack, but the screams of its residents' fear and wounded Stryx still managed to break through the angry roar. The storm was viscous and vengeful, fueled on by the wisps that looked like embers and the giant rhakos tearing up every building or structure it could get its beak on.

The white tyto stepped back, afraid of confronting the world. On his back, the small Kukuri named Habanero stood tall. She was glaring out at the battle below, baring her teeth as if she was ready to take it on all by herself. Vanical, the trans dove, on the other hand, simply gazed on with a contemplative frown. She was the first of the trio to speak. “We need to stop him. The citizens of Sol know how to handle their own Stryx - even if they are corrupted. It’s our job to focus on that one.” She pointed with one white finger down at the dull coloured fluffy monster whose jaws dripped with corrupted spittle and eyes glowed with red hot evil. Soul dipped his head, though it was clear he was afraid. The tyto’s feathers were pulled tightly against his body and the movement of his chest indicated he was in a near panic.

“It’ll be okay,” Habanero spoke up from atop her mount. “We just need to think of a plan like we have every other time so far.” She’d pulled her knife from its holster and was vaguely pointing it in the direction of the rhakos. “I think if we’re careful about it, we can lead him away from Sol’s supplies at the very least. We have to be careful about not allowing the food stores to burn, but if we head in that direction we can at least keep him away from the weapons. We’re going to need those more than ever.”
 

Vanical held up one of her red and white paws. “No. We need to drive her in the opposite direction,” she suggested.

“Right into the heart of the city?” Soul asked, his beak dropping open in shock. He took a step back from the ledge and shook his head in defiance. “That’s the last thing we should do! People are going to be killed if they haven’t been already… and that’s where most of the Stryx are! It’s nothing short of suicide!” he protested.

Vanical’s expresion didn’t change from the somber one she’d held this whole time. “Hear me out. The townsfolk are already occupied with their own Stryx that have been corrupted. Sol’s guards are our best chance of neutralizing the threat of that corruption spreading. Healthy gryphs can easily take down a rabid tyto. They can’t do the same to a rampaging rhakos. We don’t have time to sit here and watch it attack. Soul? Habenero? Are you with me?”

The tyto hesitated, then nodded. “Alright. Then… let’s go. I’m not sure I agree with you exactly, but I think it is our best shot for now. Everyone else is too preoccupied… and we have experience with this kind of thing.”

“Yeah, I think Sol’s guards should be able to handle it. They have their own Stryx too,” Habanero pointed out. “It’s not as if it’s just a few measly humans and Kukuri protecting the place. It’s really just the runners I’m worried about.”

“The runners shouldn’t have to engage in close combat so long as the fliers attack first,” Vanical reasoned. She was heavier than Habanero and Soul could only just carry both the Kukuri on his back, but she decided there wasn’t time to climb down the cliff herself. Instead, she climbed atop the Stryx’s back and gripped onto the white feathers, with the miniature Kukuri in front of her.

As soon as he recognized that they were firmly in place, Soul took a running leap and spread his wings. His feathers caught the air, began shaping it to aid his flight, and began to spiral down towards the chaos below. The ground rapidly came up, and to his shock and horror, Habanero was suddenly falling through the air. He tried to grab her in his talons, but she nimbly evaded him and landed on her feet. The tyto - nor Vanical - didn’t even have the chance to let out a sigh of relief before they realized exactly what the little raptor-like mammal was doing. The instant she’d landed she’d drawn her knife and was now headed straight for the giant runner Stryx. “Hey you! Asshole!” Habanero’s voice was loud even in comparison to the shouting and crackle of flames. “Kiss my ass!” 

With one powerful stroke of his wings, Soul sped up and thrusted his talons out. The rhakos was twice as fast as the amber Kukuri was and his jaws could snap her in half. Not wanting her to be hurt, he risked being bit as his feet connected with the corrupted Stryx’s neck. Instinctively his toes curled inwards, piercing through the bird’s skin. At the same time, Habanero had leapt up and sliced across its chest. Vanical simply clung to Soul’s back in an effort to stay aboard.

As soon as the tyto disengaged, the Stryx turned to crack his beak down on his attacker, but his teeth came harmlessly together on air. He let out a screaming cry of frustration, apparently now more focused on Soul than he was Habanero. The little Kukuri had realized just how close she’d come to death’s door and scrambled away to a safer distance. Still, she stayed just near enough to rush in at opportune moments to torment the rhakos further.

“Soul! Get to Sol!” Vanical called from atop the white bird’s back. She pulled lightly on his feathers in the direction towards the city in an attempt to guide him. He swiftly responded by angling his wings and adjusting his path. As he did so, he saw an opportunity to fetch Habanero. Again he extended his legs, but this time made sure that his talons caused no harm as he scooped the tiny Kuku up. He pumped his wings harder to gain altitude once she was in his grasp. At the same time, she’d twisted around and began climbing up his leg until she was standing on his rump towards the base of his first tail. She taunted the rhakos from her position of safety.

At first, it appeared the corrupted Stryx would not follow, but once Soul had gotten closer to the ground again, he shot forwards. It was impressive how fast the beast could run. Although tytos were not the fastest Stryx, Soul struggled to stay far enough ahead to avoid the flesh tearing beak and red spittle. While he tried to avoid becoming just another prey item for the rhakos, Vanical guided him closer to the city. All three creatures only hoped they would arrive before Soul lost this battle.