Levi stared up at the sheer, imposing face of the mountain. His heart pounded in his chest, not just from the exertion of the climb ahead but from the anticipation of what lay at the summit: the Dirge Hawk’s nest. Bram’s plan was risky, but it was the only way to secure the egg without being torn to shreds by the monstrous bird. Levi adjusted the straps of his pack, feeling the weight of his supplies. Every muscle in his body tensed as he prepared for the climb.

Bram was already a few steps ahead, his powerful frame moving with surprising agility over the rocky terrain. “Keep up, Levi,” he called back, his voice steady and confident. Levi took a deep breath and followed, his hands and feet finding purchase on the rough, jagged rocks. The air grew thinner and colder as they ascended, each breath a reminder of the altitude they were gaining.

After what felt like hours of climbing, the landscape changed. The forested lower slopes gave way to barren, rocky outcrops. Sharp stones jutted from the ground, some so thin and brittle they crumbled underfoot. Levi had to be cautious, each step a calculated risk. He could see the remnants of ancient trees, their roots clinging desperately to the mountainside, and patches of sparse, yellowed grass swayed in the wind.

"These rocks are sharp enough to cut through leather," Bram said, pointing out a particularly dangerous outcrop. "Watch your step."

Levi nodded, carefully placing his feet. The rocks weren’t the only hazard. Hidden beneath the grass, clusters of red worms waited to latch onto anything that brushed against the sharp stones. They were a symbiotic pair, the rocks and worms. The rocks cut, the worms drank. Levi shuddered at the thought.

Higher up, the mountain became even more treacherous. The path was narrow, with a sheer drop on one side and a steep wall on the other. Levi’s hands were raw from gripping the rocks, and his legs burned with the effort. But he pressed on, Bram’s steady pace a constant motivation.

"Almost there," Bram said, his voice carrying a hint of excitement. Levi could see the top of the mountain now, a jagged line against the sky. The closer they got, the more anxious he felt. He had read about the Dirge Hawk, a creature of nightmare and legend. Its feathers were as black as night with red undertones that glowed ominously. Its eyes, they said, could paralyse a man with a single glare.

Finally, they reached a plateau, a narrow ledge that led to the peak where the nest was located. Bram turned to Levi, his face serious. "This is where it gets tricky," he said. "I’m going to agitate the Dirge Hawk, draw it away from the nest. You need to be ready to move the moment it’s distracted. Get in, grab the egg, and get out. Understand?"

Levi nodded, feeling a knot tighten in his stomach. "I understand," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. Bram clapped him on the shoulder.

“Good. Stay low and stay quiet. Wait for my signal.”

Bram began to ascend the final stretch alone, his movements deliberate and calculated. Levi crouched behind a boulder, watching as Bram approached the nest. The nest itself was a massive structure, built from the bones of previous prey and woven with branches and vines. It was perched precariously on the edge of the cliff, overlooking the vast expanse of the valley below.

Bram reached into his pack and pulled out a small, shining object. Levi squinted, realising it was a reflective mirror. Bram angled it towards the sun, flashing the light directly into the nest. There was a moment of stillness, and then a blood-curdling screech echoed through the mountains. Levi’s heart skipped a beat as the Dirge Hawk emerged, its massive wings unfurling.

The bird was even more terrifying than he had imagined. Its feathers shimmered with an eerie red glow, and its eyes burned with a malevolent intelligence. Bram waved the mirror, taunting the creature. The Dirge Hawk’s screech was deafening, a sound that vibrated through Levi’s bones.

Bram took off, sprinting along the narrow path, the Dirge Hawk hot on his heels. Levi watched in awe as Bram led the monstrous bird away, his agility and speed unmatched. For a moment, Levi could hardly breathe, the bird’s aura was so overpowering.

As soon as Bram and the Dirge Hawk were out of sight, Levi sprang into action. He raced towards the nest, his movements swift and silent. The nest was enormous up close, and Levi’s eyes widened at the sight of the egg. It was as large as his torso, its surface covered in intricate red patterns that seemed to pulse with a life of their own.

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Levi took a deep breath, steadying his nerves. He carefully reached out, his fingers brushing against the warm surface of the egg. It was heavier than he expected, but he managed to lift it, cradling it against his chest. Every second felt like an eternity as he made his way back down the narrow path, his heart pounding in his ears.

Just as he reached the plateau, a shadow passed over him. Levi looked up, his blood running cold. The Dirge Hawk was circling back—no, that wasn’t right, it was much smaller, and its keen eyes locked onto him. A child? Panic surged through him, but he forced himself to stay calm. He couldn’t run, not with the egg.

Levi ducked behind a boulder, his mind racing. He needed a distraction, something to buy him time. Moving by instinct, Levi channelled mana into his palm as quickly as he could. Instead of condensing it like a lance, he opened his mana channels, releasing it in a burst. Heat and light exploded forth, blinding the oncoming beast.

The bird screeched in anger, momentarily distracted. Levi seized the opportunity, sprinting towards the edge of the plateau. Bram appeared out of nowhere, grabbing Levi's arm and pulling him to safety just as the Dirge Hawk's talons slammed into the ground where he had been standing.

Bram responded with a powerful kick, a flash of light emanating from his strike. The creature flew back, rolling against the ground a few times before stopping.

Judging by Bram’s personality, it wasn’t dead. But Levi was sure he wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of that strike.

“Got it?” Bram asked, his eyes wide with concern.

Levi nodded, clutching the egg tightly. “Got it.”

Bram grinned. “Good. Now let’s get out of here.”

Together, they made their way down the mountain, only a moment later and the Dirge Hawk’s furious cries echoed behind them. Levi’s heart finally began to slow as they descended, the adrenaline fading. They had done it. They had the egg.

But Levi’s nerves were pulled taut. There was no way in hell that psychotic bird would just let them get away with stealing its child. Right?

Bram didn’t seem to share the same level of concern.

Levi wiped the sweat beading from his forehead. “Let me guess, this is all going according to plan?”

“So far,” he said, “Now let’s start on the way back.”

Levi nervously glanced over his shoulder, looking at the top of the mountain. The Dirge Hawk’s figure casted its shadow into the valley down below. “What’s stopping it from, I don’t know, smelling us?”

“Don’t worry about that. It’s been taken care of.”

“Okay,” Levi said while narrowly avoiding a razor-rock. “Then what about the Krag? It opens up tomorrow. Got a safe place in mind?”

“As it happens, I have just the place.”

***

It wasn’t a good place. Levi sat in a cramped cave, surrounded by bat droppings that covered the floor, walls, and even the ceiling. How did it get there? Levi didn’t know, nor did he want to find out.

The bats weren’t dangerous, at least. Bram had said they were plant eaters named Moonfruit Gliders; there hadn’t been a single recording of them even taking a morsel of flesh. Still, every time he heard the splat of one of the bats taking a dump, he really wanted to wipe them out. Bram wouldn't allow that, of course, so Levi was feeling a little grumpy.

To make matters worse, he was responsible for taking care of the egg. It was warm to the touch, and he could feel something knocking within. The Dirge Hawk’s distant squeal made him feel even worse as he nervously stared outside the cave. He could hear it from miles away. And it was slowly getting closer. Had it picked up their scent? He sure hoped not.

Turning his attention back to the egg, he prayed it wouldn’t hatch. That would truly be a nightmare. But as the sun fell and an all-consuming darkness took its place, Levi knew the nightmare was just beginning.

Monsters screeched, insects of diabolical proportions chirped, and oddly enough, Levi relaxed. No matter how terrifying the beasts of the Krag were, none of them compared to the fear the Dirge Hawk instilled in him. The raw terror, the way his heart palpitated—it was like a peasant standing before a king.

“Psst,” Bram motioned Levi forward. “Come here.” Levi listened, though he wished he hadn’t.

Stomp. A resounding thud slammed into the earth, shaking the cave’s walls. Levi hurried over and gazed out of the cave. His vision was stolen by two bright lights, like twin red suns battling against the shadows.

Another stomp, and the lights moved. They were so high up, taller than some of the mountains surrounding them.

“What is it?” Levi whispered, horrified at whatever it was.

“A Wandering Giant.”

“Is it dangerous?”

“Not unless you anger it,” Bram said grimly. “Or find yourself in its path.”

“You know,” Levi said, unable to tear his gaze from the two wandering orbs. “I was just thinking that nothing could be worse than the Dirge Hawk. I just changed my mind.”

He paused, “I hate the Krag.”