"Tick-tock-tick."
Xelrath's muttering rang in Hades's ears like the sound of a clock counting down his mate's death. He couldn't delay any longer. No more plans. No more breathing room. Just destruction.
He lunged forward. Same target. Same rage.
Dolton grinned widely, his teeth gleaming like steel, and slammed his palms together.
THWAAMP!
A violent shockwave erupted—trees bent backward, leaves scattered, and dust swirled like a storm. Hades gritted his teeth and used Featherless Flight to rise above the chaos, wind roaring past his ears.
He twisted midair, brought his fists together, and came crashing down with a bellow—
"AHHHH!"
DHOOOOMP!
The ground exploded beneath Dolton. The dragon tanked that attack with his forearm, going down on his left knee and a grunt leaving his throat. The air burned hot from the collision, a pulse of raw mana shaking the surface.
Dolton's eyes flared gold. "Not bad," he growled—and then his massive hand shot up.
