Zephyrion and the cadets ran for what felt like an eternity.
Even when their lungs burned and their aching legs begged them to stop, the murderous shrills of the Shrike colony kept them moving. With their queen dead, their desire for vengeance burned deep. There was only so much the burning forest could do. After circling around the damning light, they resumed their hunt.
However, like Zephyrion had anticipated, they were unorganized. Several hung back warily, fearful of the few lights still with the cadets, while others, lone Shrikes, charged without a care. Zephyrion and Lumi dispatched them without incident.
Regardless, the Shrikes were no longer one force, but several fragmented ones. Handling them became child's play.
It was only when the first golden rays pierced through the forest that the Shrikes' murderous shrills finally faded. And when the sun fully claimed the sky, Zephyrion finally gave the order to stop.
