Twisted snarls echoed throughout the canyon, soon replaced by those of agony or of pleasure, before restarting the cycle once more. Shards of rock crashed down from the high cliff peaks, fracturing as they collided into the canyon walls, raining onto the basin below

“These creatures truly are vile.” said a short figure from the shadows, “I don’t know how you can live amongst them.”

“They may be loud and repulsing, but at least their minds are simple.” said another cloaked in black steel studded robes, turning the page in his book with a wave of his hand.

The shorter man crossed his arms, wings on his back catching a ray of light from the waning moon. He studied the ever-expanding cluster of man-beast creatures, fighting and mating amongst each other.

He shifted his gaze, scanning the walls encompassing them all, “Your scouts did well locating this area.”

His companion kept his gaze fixated on the page in front of him, “People do their best work when the stakes are right.”

A piercing agony filled shriek drowned out the collective uproar.

The heavy rhythmic beating of wings stirred up a storm of sand and rock, a freshly plucked eye still attached to the owner's talon. The creature continued its ascent, letting loose shrieks of victory. Its victim hunched over, clutching their empty socket with a clawed hand.

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Without warning, the winged beast began to plummet, its voice cut off mid screech. The remainder of the creatures collapsed onto the ground, their breath coming out in gasps as they attempted to hold their heads.

“No more.” the taller man said, glancing up from his book, glaring at the mob in front of him.

The shorter man rubbed his temple, “A little warning next time would be nice, you know I hate when you do that.”

“My apologies your highness.”

The short man glared at him, “Even when one is not the target, the migraine you induce rivals even the worst I’ve experienced.”

The whimpering subsided among the mass, the beasts slowly rising back to their feet.

The shorter man looked into the sky, clouds beginning to eclipse the moon.

“It’s time I get back to the forest. I’ll see to it that my people supply you and these savages with food.” he said, wings expanding before soaring into the sky and out of the canyon.

“I’ll be here.” said the other, turning the page once more with a wave of his hand.