Once the woman vanished into the twisting labyrinth of canyons, Vlad fixed his full attention on the Voroe Sage. Lightning flickered in angry bursts around Harbider's metal-infused body, the air heavy with the acrid scent of ozone and scorched rock.
A jagged wound marred his midsection, courtesy of Vlad's earlier laser blast, yet the Voroe still wore a feral grin. Metallic, razor-like teeth gleamed in the dim light, hinting at the cruelty that lay behind them.
"You must be feeling confident, human," Harbider sneered, arcs of electricity dancing along his colossal claws. "I admit that your laser beam was powerful—but if you think it was enough to take me down, you're sorely mistaken."
