A cry of pain escaped Ikem's lips as he suddenly found himself suspended in the vast expanse of the sky. The searing pain in his shoulder intensified and as he realized he was ascending, Ikem was gripped by a profound unease. Glancing at the formidable huge claws embedded in his shoulder and the colossal bird carrying him, Ikem knew he needed to act swiftly.
This wasn't his first encounter with bloodshed, so he forced himself to calm down, his mind racing for the next course of action. Drawing upon the mana within him, Ikem focused it into his arm, shaping it into a sword. With determination, he swung the blade at the claws, but the bird exhibited no reaction. The awkward position made it difficult for him to strike with the necessary force, prompting the realization that remaining in this precarious situation would yield no results.
