Progression in Interdimensional Travel (54)

Lucy saw it first. The Howler was diving toward Ethel from above, its talons dripping with paralytic neurotoxins. Ethel's back was turned, and the creature was almost upon her. But Lucy didn't hesitate—her body reacted on instinct. She threw her glaive, sending the weapon spinning through the air like a deadly boomerang.

The glaive whistled through the chaos, its plasma blade glowing bright as it ripped through the air. It flung through the Howler's wing, cutting it cleanly off in a burst of black blood. The creature screamed in pain, its descent faltering as it plummeted from the sky.

It crashed at Ethel's feet, skidding across the ground in a heap of writhing limbs. Ethel, who had already turned toward the fallen beast, didn't hesitate. She slammed her foot down with enhanced force, the shockwave from her kick causing the ground to tremble. The Howler's neck cracked under the force, and the creature's body went limp, hushing its shrieks.