The Inverted Temple (III)

Zayn gritted his teeth, his fingers tightening around the griffin's reins as the projectiles streaked toward him. 

The air crackled with energy, each of the incoming purple-glowing rocks leaving a trail of eerie luminescence in their wake. 

There was no time to hesitate.

"Move!"

With a sharp pull, he guided the griffin into an evasive roll. 

The beast, pulsing with golden energy, responded instantly, twisting its body through the air with newfound agility. 

The first few projectiles missed by inches, but the moment they passed, they detonated in violent bursts of energy.

The force of the explosions sent shockwaves through the air, pushing the griffin upward. 

Zayn barely managed to stay in the saddle, his muscles straining against the pressure but he reinforced them with soul energy nevertheless.

Up close, the skeletal monstrosity's sheer size became overwhelming.