There is only so much one monster has the power to do, no matter the size of the individual.
My master lay wounded on the ground, my teammates scattered about the town that had become a battleground. I was not sure whether they had perished. I laid on Valerian's chest, he was unmoving, but I could still feel a pulse. I had to make sure nothing else happened to him, but I was no battler.
Those three behemoth birds were not finished yet it seemed. I saw them glide overhead, circling, drawing nearer. My small body trembled. A pixie among giants.
They took turns screeching, rending the sky with their piercing cries. They gave a great show of power, but I knew in truth they must be exhausted.
Electricity crackled.
Fire danced.
Ice shone.
I did not budge.
I felt some energy fill me. Some desperate vigor. A Last Resort.
The trio launched their attacks simultaneously. I launched myself skyward, meeting the attacks head-on. An intense light surrounded me, it protected me, colliding with the lightning, fire, and ice. I continued to force my way forward.
Something strange happened then. The three elements launched at me now spiraled around me, but did not harm me. It felt almost as if they were waiting for my command. I outstretched my paw over the swirling fire. It flew at the frozen bird, who shrieked in recoil at the contact. I applied the same motion to the other elements, electricity to the blazing bird and ice to the lightning bird.
The three titans retreated, not in fear but in annoyance. Probably hoping for an easier kill.
I sighed and gently landed on Valerian's chest once more. To my surprise, he stirred.
"Aeyin? 'Ow did you do zhat? I never knew you 'ad such power."
Power. That word. That thing he had searched for to fuel his vengeance. I disliked it. It only caused pain. Perhaps that's why I never fought.
"Ah, mon amie, I'm sorry I got us into zhis mess. You never liked fighting, did you?"
His ungloved hand patted my head. The hand he wore his wedding ring on.
"Merci, Aeyin. You've always been there pour moi."
I could see a smile under his moustache. I noticed tears in his eyes too.
"I wish... eet deedn't 'ave to end like zhis."
He closed his eyes.
"I'd 'ave loved to see Suzanna one more time."
He laid back.
"I'm sure you would 'ave loved to see Tansy again too..."
My paws clung to his shirt tightly. I cried too, I didn't want it to end this way either. But we were both so weak.
My eyes caught the glimmer of the golden ring on his hand once more. I reached for it, almost in slow motion. The tip of my paw made contact with the small, shiny stone fused to the golden wedding band.
To my surprise, I felt an energy fill me up again, different than before, but also familiar. I felt myself glowing. My injuries and fatigue faded. Perhaps this is what becoming a spirit felt like. But Valerian and the surrounding battlefield were still present. I felt more alive, not less.
Everything expanded, my body, my arms... now wings. Powerful wings.
Downstroke, upstroke. I flew so effortlessly.
"Aeyin...?"
I looked down, Valerian squinting up at me.
"...ange gardien..." he whispered and lay still once more.
Now I had power again, I had to help him.
I soared high, remembering the feeling when I faced the trio of bird giants. I felt the three energies swirl around me once more.
I extended my wings to their fullest and let out a piercing cry.
Kiiiiiiiiiii-!
Help!
Down below, not too far away, a blond woman clothed in blue and a large bird clad in bronze and green armor ran in our direction. For a brief moment, I thought it was my teammate Salvador at her side. She was of the same species and coloration, but not him.
The woman kneeled at Valerian's side, using her only arm to move him. Her armored companion aided her as did I.
The end was not so close as it first appeared.
While there is only so much power us monsters have, it is what we do with it that makes a difference.
