Anino struck fast—a blur of claws and ancient fury.
The Ibwa screamed, more surprise than pain, as the cat—her father—raked across her face.
"YOU!"
"Run, Gladys!" Anino shouted, shifting into his human form mid-attack. "NOW!"
But Glad didn't run.
She couldn't.
Because behind the Ibwa, huddled in the darkness, were the missing creatures. Alive. Terrified. Bound in shadow.
"I'm not leaving them."
"Then fight!" Anino grappled with the Ibwa, his smaller form no match for her size but his speed keeping her off-balance. "FIGHT!"
Glad launched herself at the captives, wings beating furiously. The shadow bonds were ancient magic—strong, but not unbreakable. She clawed at them, tore at them, desperate.
The first creature freed. The second. The third.
"GO!" she screamed at them. "FLY! NOW!"
They fled into the night.
But the distraction cost her.
The Ibwa threw Anino aside—he crashed into the bridge, stone crumbling—and turned on Glad.
"Brave. Stupid. But brave." She advanced, wings spreading. "I'll enjoy consuming you most of all."
"Get away from her!"
Ariel appeared from nowhere—shifted, running, launching himself at the Ibwa in dog form.
She caught him mid-air, tossed him like a toy.
"More distractions? Pathetic."
But Ariel's attack had given Glad time.
Time to think. Time to act.
She flew straight at the Ibwa—not away, not sideways, but DIRECTLY at her.
The Ibwa laughed, reaching out to grab her—
And Glad ducked.
Swooped low.
And drove the googly-eyed amulet—Ariel's "useless" gift—directly into the Ibwa's heart.
The ancient creature froze.
"What—what is this?"
"Love, you monster." Glad pressed harder. "Community. Connection. Everything you don't understand."
The Ibwa screamed—a sound that shattered the night.
Then she crumbled.
Turned to dust.
And was gone.