Jacob leapt from the ground sinking his spectral claws into the Rocks lower stomach. The bird did not cry out in pain, he had hardly tickled the beast. It simply its head to look at him, regarding him and his friends as insects to be consumed. Its great head began its downward motion, attempting to peak at him.

Both Jacobs real body and the astral body placed their staves into their mouths. He dug into the Roc’s feathers and flesh, getting a good grip before using that leverage to leap upwards higher onto the beast.

Down below still on the ground the rest of the BattleSmith’s attacked the Roc’s legs in an attempt to keep the bird grounded. Thomas hacked at its left leg with his great axe while Hellen attacked the right leg with her great sword.

Calisa ran into the shadow of the Roc, vanishing as if she had never been there. Jacob made his way up the chest of the Roc and after a few moments had made his way onto its back. To his horror the Roc turned its head 180 degrees to look at him, “Now that I did not expect.”

The Roc pulled back its head and bringing its head back to strike at time much faster that it had previously. The Roc’s beak pierced the face of his astral bear form. Jacob felt great pain from his own face, as he felt warm blood begin to make its way down his left cheek.

‘I had thought myself invulnerable within this astral construct. It appears I was woefully mistaken. Any damage this form takes reflects onto me.’ Jacob reached up and removed his staff from his mouth, the great bear doing the same.

The Roc readied itself for another swift strike but found its face intercepted by the staff. Jacob began attempting to cave the Roc’s skull in. Meanwhile down below Hellen and Thomas were making progress at disabling the Roc’s legs.

Thomas brought forth all his rage, to which his bear form reflected this change. The once brownish emerald bear became dyed in the crimson hues as the axe he wielded. With a great bellow and an even mightier swing, the astral great axe wielded by his bear form slashed a grievous wound into the Roc’s left leg.

Hellen prayed, “Oh Holy mother Hethara, grant upon this holy sword the fires of your forge that I may strike down your foes.” With those words not only did her great sword catch light as the blade itself glowed red hot, so to did, the form of her astral bear burst to light with holy fire.

Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

Hellen gave a mighty swing of her holy flame wreathed great sword. She cast smite as she felt the blade connect. The result of the attack was that the Roc had lost its right leg below its nonexistent knee. The wound did not bleed for it had been burned and cauterized by the holy fire that covered her blade.

The Roc realized as both its legs had been disabled that the tables had turned. Without its legs it began to fall, flailing as it did. Jacob held his staff with his left thumb and using that same hand he rammed his clawed hand into the creature’s neck. He felt the spurting of blood for his trouble, as he continued to beat the Rocs skull in with his great fist. Riding the Roc to the ground.

As the great bird hit the ground the earth quaked and trees for several hundred feet were flattened by the wind kicked up. Jacob felt as he was thrown from the Roc’s neck by the force of its fall. Taking a chunk of its neck with him. He hit the ground and rolled. When he managed to pop back up, he was facing away from the Roc and the fighting.

Before he turned back to continue his assault, he saw several carriages kicking up dust as they raced down the road toward them. ‘Must be a guard patrol from the city. Good we have people to carry us to town while we are unconscious.’

Jacob turned back to the fight and ran to rejoin the action. Jacob recalled his staff to his hand as he arrived at the flailing body of the downed Roc. He gave a great bellow as he leapt into the air and brought down his staff upon the Rocs head.

He felt the Rocs skull finally give out as his astral form was doused in the blood and brain matter of the Roc. The great beast gave a final cry as its heart beat its last, it drew its final breath and the life left its eyes.

Jacob knew the words he needed to speak to finish this, to take what he had earned. “By right of Land I have Conquered the Sky! Who shall debate my claim!” Jacob proclaimed with his voice of authority that all the world may hear him. Not a single voice dared to speak out against him, to his ears all he heard was the sound of cheers both close and far.

A great light began to gather in the middle of the Roc’s chest. This orb of light shot forth toward Jacob at a speed he could barely perceive. Then it hit him, and the world began to grow black. He suddenly felt as if the weight of the world was upon his shoulders and it crushed him.

His astral form began to dissipate as he grew closer to the ground, he was at his limit. He felt something was wrong. This was not how it was supposed to be. He felt the Roc still fighting him. Jacob closed his eyes and in the darkness he saw the Roc staring back at him.

Your Right of Sky is being contested...