Three battlefields remain, and each of them make my stomach turn.

Back where I was originally, silver fur flashes within splinter-ridden clouds of debris. No doubt she is fighting tooth and nail to keep all the attention away from two tiny figures cowering behind the tree.

Directly ahead, both of the alphas continue to rampage throughout the clearing. Explosions erupt constantly from their struggle, and it would be an even fight if it weren't for the interference of a meddling underling. Devastating attacks are skillfully dodged one after the other, only for him to be put in check before a counter-attack can be made.

Last but not least, a lone orothus squares off against the last of the remaining apes. At first I didn't think much of it, but then I notice the half-dead creature beneath him. Despite being in just as bad shape, he stands defiantly over his downed companion, snarling with exposed fangs. Only his adversary is in far better shape, barely wounded by the looks of it. Provoked by the aggressive display, the ape pounds his chest with war-hungry vigor. If nothing is done, disaster is sure to follow.

Frantically, I keep turning to assess each area, searching desperately for an answer on who to help first. I'm painfully aware that each second delayed is time wasted that could be spent helping, but what the hell am I supposed to do? I'm most partial towards teaming up with the mother again, we did manage to take one down together. But that is leaving the leader of the pack and the two others to fend for themselves in losing battles, the latter being in far more immediate danger. If the leader were to die, what of the fragile peace that was somehow brokered between their group and I? And can I really force myself to abandon the two that are on death's door? Every answer seems like the wrong one. But what if I'm looking at this the wrong way?

Coming to a greedy decision, I run towards the thick of the fight, picking up a stone along the way and fling it as hard as I can. Onwards it soars, blasting the ape bearing down on the two wounded orothus and bouncing off his brawny head. For a few seconds I'm worried that It isn't going to get his attention, but sure enough, he turns around and bellows loud enough to pierce through the howling rain. Giving one last look of contempt towards his soon-to-be prey, he pivots my way and begins building up an alarming level of speed.

That's my cue, time to go!

Sprinting full speed while spinning together strands of essence is pushing me to my absolute limits. All it takes is the simplest distraction to cut my connection off, and ho boy, there's enough of that going on to meet that quota in full. Time is running out and I still haven't gotten control yet! If that wasn't bad enough, the pounding of heavy knuckles in full pursuit is closing in fast! My nerves are at their wit's end!

Come on already! I don't have time for this!

Up ahead the battle between the pack leader and the oversized kong is still in full swing. This entire time, the battle-wise orothus has kept the fight in an open arena, deliberately avoiding the enemies conjoined efforts to pin him against the tree. However as I draw closer, the space left that he can maneuver through is dwindling fast, and the massive zone of control the war band leader exerts is pressing him closer and closer into a corner. It could be game over for him at any point now, speed can only get one so far against such an overwhelming difference in weight class. One good blow is all it would take to break every bone in his body.

As if it were a premonition of what's to come, the chief fighting for his life hesitates for only a fraction of a second when he notices both me and my pursuer coming his way. That's all it takes for the giant leader of the apes to break the stalemate and land a hastily-made jab straight to his ribs. Compared to the massive crater-forming punches made by the hulking creature, the blow is no where near as powerful, but it's still enough to send him flying back several feet. Just like a stone skipping over a lake, his body bounces brutally across the muddy clearing until at last skidding to a final halt. Slick with a fresh layer of dark mud, there's no hesitation from the battered orothus as he rises from the humiliating attack. Out there in the thick of the storm, his gaze pierces through the torrential rain, a twin pair of yellow eyes no different than that of a demon.

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Because of me, he suffered such a major setback, but seeing his unwavering determination… It stirs something within me.

With a steeled resolve, I'm finally able to grasp the threads of essence that have eluded me this entire time. Keeping my grip on the reins, I hold onto it for just a moment longer, dashing in front of the annoying ape that kept the old chief in check for so long. At first, his expression is one of confusion, why is this impudent bird interfering in my glorious battle? But now that I'm finally in prime position with the other monster in tow, I release all of the raw essence I can into the world, creating a dazzling display of brilliant light to dawn on the battlefield. Some of the essence absorbs quickly into the surrounding plants, erupting with violent growth. Meanwhile the rest of the precious liquid wells into opalescent and vibrant pools

In real time, I could see the reaction of this awed monster, and how quickly it transitions from confusion into one of shameless and depraved lust. Even his comrade that was chasing me moments prior freezes in his tracks, he too coming to a quick understanding over the sudden development that's unfolding. For in in this world, have they ever seen a greater prize?

The one that followed me this entire time is the first to react, reaching out with greedy open hands eager to grasp the treasure in front of him. Only he is met with a sudden attack by his peer, and an explosive BANG that comes right after, sending him crashing to the earth. After the traitorous blow, the aggressor wastes no time standing tall on two legs, beating his chest violently in a brazen display that dares the other to do something about it. In response, the other snarls to reveal a set of ugly yellowed canines, after which he lunges fearlessly into the overconfident ape. Brutal punches that would devastate any other creature are launched endlessly at each other, showing just barbarically tough these monsters really are. It's practically a miracle we managed to kill some of these monsters at all!

Meanwhile I back off ever so slowly as to not draw their attention any further than I already have. From the other areas of the clearing, vicious growls and hefty impacts can still be heard, but I dare not take my eyes off the conflict in front of me. The chief should be able to fight on a more even playing field now, but I'm worried about the mother of those defenseless pups. She and I already dealt with one of them, and the one she is fighting with now is particularly nasty. I can't imagine those javelins are the only trick he has.

Suddenly, the one that fought alongside the leader of the apes hammers down a horrifyingly strong, double fisted overhead swing on the other's skull. A sickening CRUNCH brings their struggle to an end. All sorts of blood, brain-matter, and skull shrapnel litter the area now, creating a nightmarish scene, made worse by knowing that it came from an ally of his no less than a few minutes ago. The sound of heavy breathing is disturbingly and acutely loud now, tainted with a primal blood-lust that can not be so easily sated. Cold shivers run down my spine as he levels his zealous eyes upon my fragile avian body. Thick globules of drool leak carelessly down his chin in grim anticipation, exuding an unholy aura of brazen hunger.

Thinking in his mind that he has already won over such a defenseless creature, he extends an oversized hand to steal me away, but little does he realize he has sprung the trap I have placed long ago. While the raw essence scattered about may be a beautiful sight to behold, hidden underneath such an exterior lies a sinister danger. This entire time I have remained carefully connected to all of the scattered essence, and at my command, the essence blazes with newfound life. Originally I planned on luring both of the bewitched apes into this trap of mine, but instead they fought to the death over an irresistible prize. In a strange sense of irony, the one that now lies motionless in the muddy soil is perhaps the lucky one. At least his death was swift.

As for this one, I doubt I can say the same.

While I remain tethered as a source, the torrential downfall has no power over this supernatural fire of mine. This I have learned by now. Just like the one I burned before, the ape screams at the top of his lungs, surely experiencing a fate that it has never imagined possible. To think that he was so wretchedly smug about his victory mere moments ago, seeing him like this now elicits no feelings of regret or sorrow. Only a blossoming sense of satisfaction in watching such a shameless monster burn.

Continuing to fuel his funeral pyre threatens to leave me unconscious, but I refuse to give in now. Only when his movements finally stop do I let go of my connection and nearly fall beak-first into the mud soaked ground. Luckily I catch myself, and I'm able to see what remains of the creature after the heavenly rains finally extinguish the remaining flames. A cloud of smoke rises from the now dead monster, scorched completely black, his expression forever locked in one of terror.

Serves you right, I feel no pity for you.

The persistent rain continues to fall harshly over the battlefield, while harsh winds whip through the barrier of trees

Yet …

Something is missing.

Looking around, the last of the marauding apes are nowhere to be seen. The battle is over.