A silent, invisible ripple of pure psychic force shot across the valley. It bypassed the physical chaos of the swarming ants and warring lackeys entirely, slamming directly into the Great Badger's mind like a metaphysical sledgehammer.
In the center of the crater, the massive mammal suddenly staggered. Its glowing eyes rolled back in its skull, its massive front paws faltering mid-step just as it prepared to hurl another boulder into the sky. The dense, yellow earth-essence that coated its fur flickered erratically.
It was a momentary distraction, a fleeting lapse in its impenetrable defense. But against an apex predator with flawless hunting instincts, one second was a fatal eternity.
The Lord Dreadwing capitalized instantly.
It folded its four crystalline wings and dropped from the clouds like a sapphire guillotine. It didn't bother spitting its acid. It aimed its massive, razor-sharp front legs directly at the Badger's momentarily unprotected neck.
SQUELCH-CRACK!
