The tiny winged golem, Earthrea, soared through the dust-choked air like a hawk diving for prey, its stone claws gripping the two precious vials. Its wings beat hard, sending faint trails of grit spiraling behind it.
Below, Albedo's boots still pressed into the obsidian-like glass body of the fallen elemental, each stomp echoing with a sharp thud that reverberated through the cracked arena floor.
Earthrea tightened its claws around the vials, desperate.... every wingbeat fueled by urgency. Just a few more meters.
But then Albedo's head tilted.
A faint "Umm…" escaped his lips, almost lazy, yet carrying a predatory edge.
In a blur, his glowing blue eyes locked onto the incoming messenger.
The moment hung still Earthrea's wings spread wide, the glassy shine of the vials catching what little mon light bled through the swirling dust.
Then, Albedo smirked and stepped aside in a single smooth motion, letting the tiny courier streak past him without interference.
