"Angelic!" a lizard shouts.
A blue Marid skullcracker rushes at me. The other soldiers draw their swords.
I duck to avoid a sword thrust, feint to the right, and then spin to club the man with my wing. I kick the man I just clubbed, and then swing up my sword to block the blue Marid's death-swing. Our swords ring as they come together, steel against hardened steel. It vibrates into my hand. It vibrates into my bones.
'Yes...' the bloodlust whispers as I stare into the Marid's cruel, red eyes. It feels as though every living creature is made of light, moving like fireflies in a world of shadows.
This light has become corrupt. Death! You must destroy it!
The shadows move like carrion-birds, eager to assist the kill.
I grip my survival knife and stab the Marid in the face. Behind me, a
