The Flame Drake's wings beat once, twice, lifting its massive form into the arena's upper reaches.
Phase two. Aerial combat.
This was where most teams lost their first casualty—a hunter caught unprepared by the shift from ground to air combat, struck by a divebomb they didn't see coming.
Last time, Sari died here. Caught by the Drake's first aerial flame breath while repositioning. Burned to death in three seconds.
Not this time.
"Ranged DPS spread to marked positions!" Rama commanded. "Melee DPS, defensive formations, prepare to dodge divebombs! The Drake's aerial pattern is predictable—flame breath, divebomb, wing razor, repeat. Cycle time is forty-five seconds. First attack targets southwest quadrant in eight seconds!"
The team repositioned with practiced precision.
"Southwest clear! Ranged DPS, prepare to fire during the breath attack—it's vulnerable for three seconds while channeling flames!"
