Ash flew across the battlefield, scanning the terrain below.
Then—
WHOOSH—
A blur slammed into his stomach.
Pain exploded through his ribs.
"…GH—!"
Ash staggered mid-air, struggling to regain control.
When his vision steadied—
He saw him.
A Peregrine Falcon vessel.
Sharp eyes.
Wings spread wide.
Hovering with deadly precision.
"…Give me the ticket," the falcon said calmly.
A pause.
"…Or I'll make you suffer."
Ash wiped blood from the corner of his mouth.
A faint smirk formed.
"…Guess I'll have to suffer."
The falcon grinned.
"…Good."
"…That's the answer I was hoping for."
WHOOSH—
He lunged forward at full speed.
Ash twisted mid-air.
Dodged—
But—
CRACK—
A second strike slammed into his ribs.
Ash gritted his teeth—
Then countered—
CRACK—
His fist connected clean with the falcon's face.
The falcon barely moved.
He smirked.
"…Is that all you've got?"
Ash spat blood into the air.
A slow grin spread across his face.
"…We're just getting started."
On the ground—
Ravok was also busy.
"…I don't have time to waste on you."
The wasp vessel hovered in the air above him.
A smirk spread across her face.
"…Oh, come on…"
"…Don't be like that."
She tilted her head slightly.
"…We could have fun together, darling."
Ravok exhaled slowly.
Unbothered.
"…Then I'll make this quick."
He lunged forward—
Fast.
Brutal.
But—
WHOOSH—
She flew upward instantly.
Hovering just out of reach.
"…What can you do to me from down there?"
She smirked.
"…You can't touch me while I'm in the air."
Ravok tilted his head slightly.
Cocky.
"…Let's find out."
Then—
He inhaled.
Deep.
His chest expanded.
Muscles tightening.
And—
**ROOOAAARRR—**
A monstrous sound tore through the air.
Not human.
Not natural.
Cerberus.
**Hellish Roar**
The wasp froze—
Then her expression twisted.
Rage.
Pure.
Violent.
Her breathing quickened.
Eyes locked onto Ravok.
Only Ravok.
"…You—!"
She dove.
Her stinger flashed forward—
aiming for his throat.
Fast.
Reckless.
Exactly what he wanted.
Ravok stepped aside—
At the last possible second—
Then—
CRACK—
His fist slammed into her face.
Her body snapped backward—
Then dropped.
Unconscious.
Silent.
Korin stood frozen.
"T-Thank you… for helping me."
Ravok glanced at him.
"…Aren't you supposed to have incredible defense?"
A short pause.
"…Then why are you such a coward?"
Before Korin could answer—
"…Guys…"
Nyro's voice came through the earpiece.
Urgent.
Serious.
"…Ash is fighting a falcon vessel."
A brief pause.
"…And more are heading toward him."
"…because he has one of the tickets."
Ravok frowned.
Then—
He broke into a sprint.
Sand scattered beneath his boots.
"…Tch…"
"…We need to hurry."
Korin turned slightly, nervous.
"…I-Is it possible for you to help him?"
"…About that…" Nyro answered.
A short pause.
"…The team of the guy I shot down found me…"
"…So I'm a bit busy at the moment."
Back on the sky.
The falcon exhaled slowly.
"…Alright."
A faint smirk formed.
"…Enough games."
His eyes sharpened.
"…Let's end this."
**Sky Blitz**
Then—
He vanished.
WHOOSH—
A blur tore past Ash.
Down.
Up.
Sideways.
Behind.
Too fast.
Ash turned—
Nothing.
WHOOSH—
CRACK—
A strike slammed into his shoulder.
Pain exploded through his arm.
Before he could recover—
WHOOSH—
Another hit.
From below.
CRACK—
His ribs screamed in protest.
Ash gritted his teeth.
Trying to track him—
But—
Impossible.
His breathing grew heavier.
His wings struggled to stabilize.
Too many hits.
Too fast.
Too unpredictable.
The falcon circled him at full speed.
Above.
Below.
Left.
Right.
Everywhere.
Every direction.
Every second—
"…You can't keep up."
"…Too slow."
"…That's your problem."
Another strike.
Another hit.
Another blow.
Ash couldn't answer back.
Couldn't counter.
Couldn't even see him clearly.
CRACK—
One final blow struck Ash square in the face.
His body spun out of control—
Then slammed into the ground below.
"This is the difference between you and me…"
"...little crow."
© 2025 Moku. All rights reserved. The Tower of the Animal Kingdom is an original work by Moku. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution is prohibited.