"And after they're dead, what then?"
"Then we live." I wrapped my wing around her, pulling her close. "Raise our young. Defend our territory. Build our life together. No more running. No more fighting just to survive."
"I like that plan."
We sat together as darkness fell completely. The copper-green veins glowed softly in the dimness. The thermal vents hummed their eternal song. This was home now, and we'd defend it against anyone who tried to take it from us.
"Come," I said, standing and offering my hand. "Tomorrow we prepare defenses. Tonight we sleep and gather strength for what's coming."
She took my hand and let me pull her up. We walked back to the nesting chamber together, both of us ready for whatever the next days would bring.
The copper-green veins pulsed welcome beneath our feet. The cliff had been waiting for this—waiting for the moment when claimed territory became home in truth.
HALLIE
Wrong silence woke me.
Not the comfortable quiet of a safe nest at rest. This was the kind of silence that meant predators were coming, that meant everything that usually made noise—the small cliff creatures, the constant whistle, even the wind—had stopped in anticipation of violence.
Drav was already at the southern entrance, wings partially spread as he scanned the horizon for threats.
I moved to join him, still groggy but alert enough to know this was serious. "What is it?"
"They're coming." He pointed south toward the distant ridgeline. "Two shapes. Still distant but heading straight for us without deviation."
I scanned the sky and saw nothing at first, but then—there. Two dark silhouettes against the orange sky, wings beating in steady rhythm. Moving fast. Not circling or scouting or approaching cautiously. Just coming directly toward us with clear intent.
"Kethar and Vhel," I said, stating the obvious.
"Yes." Drav's claws extended slowly, scraping against stone. "This is it. The final confrontation we've been expecting."
No strategy evident in their approach. No stealth. Just direct assault from desperate males with nothing left to lose and no alternatives remaining.
"I'll take the ground," I said. "You take the air where you have advantage."
"If Vhel lands to attack you?—"
"I'll handle it." I moved back into the caves and retrieved the obsidian knife, checking that the trap sections we'd marked yesterday were still clear and accessible. "I know this terrain better than he does now. That's my advantage against superior strength."
He weighed the risks. Then: "Fight smart. Survive."
"Same to you."
He launched from the entrance, gaining altitude fast and positioning himself above the approaching attackers. Claiming the high ground before they could, using his knowledge of thermals and air currents to advantage.
Pressing my back to the cold obsidian for stability, I scanned the ceiling and mapped multiple escape routes in my mind. Narrow passages marked. The unstable floor section in the eastern chamber that looked solid but wasn't, the same trick that had killed Vhel's predecessor when Drav had told me about it. If I could lead Kethar's ally there, gravity would do most of the work for me.
The silhouettes grew larger and closer. I could see details now that made my chest tight.
Kethar in front, larger wingspan but with torn membrane from our last fight, flying erratically in ways that suggested his time was running out. Maybe three days left before the sickness killed him. Maybe less.
Vhel behind him, younger and stronger with wing membranes still mostly intact. But I could see the slight tremorin his flight pattern, the early stages of what would eventually kill him too. Maybe ten days left. Maybe twelve if he was lucky.
Two dying males making one last desperate attack because dying in battle was better than dying alone.
They met Drav at altitude and I couldn't watch the aerial fight while maintaining defensive position on the ground.
So I focused on the entrance, knife ready in my hand, and waited.
