The battle was turning in the trio’s favor, and victory was within their grasp. The base before them was only the beginning; they planned to strike every remaining base until none remained standing.0

As they pictured the flawless outcome of their plan, a monstrous howl tore them from their reverie. They spun toward the sound and saw a chimera-like creature—lion’s head, tiger’s body, wolf’s claws, and eagle’s wings—ripping through the horde of locusts with ruthless efficiency.0

Unfazed by the locusts or the Thunder Sparrows’ attacks, the monster...0