Above—
Charles couldn't hold it anymore.
His injured wing trembled violently, feathers shaking as the strain finally caught up to him.
The balance he had been forcing through sheer effort began to fail, his body dipping lower in uneven drops.
He spread both wings wider, trying to slow his descent.
It worked—
For a moment.
Then the pain hit harder.
His face tightened, teeth clenching as the muscles refused to respond the way he needed.
The injured side gave out first, folding inward slightly before the rest followed.
His control slipped.
His body dropped.
Not a straight fall—but enough.
He hit the ground hard.
KRRSHH—!!
The impact dented the overturned sedan beside him, metal folding inward under the force as his body slammed into it and rolled off to the side.
The ground cracked beneath him slightly, debris shifting outward from where he landed.
A groan forced its way out of him.
His breath came uneven.
