Hajin braced one hand against the split granite summit and peered down into the cleaved mountain chasm.
The jagged trench plunged two hundred paces downward, exposing the pulsing underbelly of the subterranean nest.
"Can you make the descent safely with your pathways exhausted?" Juna asked, spreading her golden feathers to shield him from falling pebbles.
"My pathways burn like acid, but my legs still carry my weight forward," he replied, giving her shoulder an affectionate squeeze.
"Let me jump down first and clear the entire landing zone!" Loccy chimed in, swinging her massive hammer with eager excitement.
"Stay close beside me so our defensive perimeter never breaks apart," he commanded with a calm, reassuring grin.
High above on the canyon rim, Commander Hans signaled the spearmen to maintain a wide perimeter across the high cliffs.
"Keep your distance and do not let loose rubble crack your bronze helmets," Hans bellowed down the ridge.
