Chapter 17: Chapter 16
With a terrifying crack, our charges met.
He was slightly smaller than me but made up for it with his ability to stand on two legs comfortably while I was on all four, but my front two were my wings as well. Lucky for me, Morgoth created dragons with the ability to carry Balrogs into battle, so the heat he was giving off didn't affect me much.
Snarling, I swung my right-wing at his face. He met that with his horns, lowering his head while striking out at my flank with his right arm holding the sword.
I pulled back and threw myself to my right to escape his swing. Landing, I quickly whipped my tail back to take out his legs.
He leaned forward to put more weight into his base, making my sweep ineffective. Trying to grab my tail, I quickly jerk it back.
Our battle pauses as we start circling each other. The initial bout was to test one another's reflexes and strength. Now, the time for tactics has come.
Feinting a lunge, I sweep my tail at his left side when he raises his sword. Making contact, he is staggered, not expecting it.
Taking advantage, I close the distance again and painfully swipe my left wing at the same side to force his momentum and hopefully tip him over.
He reacts with vigor by turning his head again; horns pointed at my incoming limb. Snarling in frustration, I jerk my arm back again. Using the momentum, I partially spin and sweep my tail at his legs from the right.
I am noticing that he uses the threat of his horns to save himself; I need to take advantage of that.
Unfortunately for him, because he is on the back foot and his head is turned, my tail sweep was successful as I aimed for the back of his knee. His right leg gives out, and he tumbles onto his right side.
I pounce onto his downed form, but he rolls away, crushing some orcs under his weight.
Following, I snarl and try to jab my front claws into his retreating form. Continuing his role, we get to the edge of the Orc horde and reach an open area.
A slightly jutting rock allows him to roll over it and stops my momentum. Not being attacked anymore, he quickly stands while staggering slightly from dizziness.
I get to the top of the rock and jump down toward him. Snarling, he squatted to center his base again and aimed his horns at my diving form.
Snorting, I swipe my right claw mid-air into the side of his head, staggering him as I slam into his body.
We both fall while he uses my momentum to push me up and over his prone form. Yelping, I slam into a different jutting rock and feel a lancing pain on my left wing.
Scrambling, I get up to see him doing the same. This was going to be a long battle, I could tell.