Several times Kai narrowly avoided being ripped apart.
At one point he accidentally punched its beak.
The result was a fractured knuckle and a very annoyed bird.
The bird won that exchange.
Decisively.
Kai jumped backward.
Blood dripped from several fresh wounds.
Andre wasn't looking much better.
"This thing is bullshit."
Andre spat blood.
"Agreed."
The cockatrice screeched again.
Then spread its wings.
The cave trembled.
The air pressure changed.
For a brief moment, Kai thought they were about to die.
Then came a voice.
"Loose formation!"
The command echoed through the tunnel.
Professional.
Confident.
Immediate.
The cockatrice turned.
Kai turned.
Dozens of soldiers poured into the cavern.
Crossbows.
Spears.
Armor.
Military discipline.
At their center stood a man wearing polished armor and a crown.
A crown.
Inside a cave.
Kai stared.
The man pointed his sword forward.
"Fire!"
---
The cave exploded with movement.
Bolts filled the air.
The cockatrice shrieked as dozens struck its body.
Not enough to kill it.
Enough to hurt it.
Enough to make it reconsider.
The creature glared at the soldiers.
Then at Kai.
Then at Andre.
As though memorizing them.
A final screech echoed through the cavern.
Then it spread its wings and launched itself upward.
Stone shattered.
Dust filled the air.