Whoosh! Whoosh!

He took a few steps backward to steady himself, holding tightly onto the eagle he caught in his grasp. Perched upon the bird was a person. Obscured by ragged clothes and sporting a swollen face, the person’s features were unrecognizable, and their voice was barely above a whisper.

Adrian strained his ears to hear the person’s voice. When he finally managed to identify the person, his eyes widened in astonishment. He released the eagle and asked in a concerned tone, "What happened to you, Claude?"

Claude attempted to speak, but each word was like a struggle due to his severe injuries.

"Don’t talk," Adrian interjected, "I can't make out your words right now." Turning to Rozi, he urged, "Go get Lionel."

Rozi dashed off.

Marissa reverted to her human form and lay motionless on the ground, appearing utterly drained. Her clothes were intact but her hands and feet were swollen and her face was also disfigured, all signs of having gone through a severe ordeal.

"What happ