Tuale glanced at the damaged doorframe, fixed his gaze on the crow in the middle, and raised his rapier. A point of starlight grew larger before Beatrice's eyes.
But Beatrice had been ready. She flipped nimbly out of the way, and her crimson talons shot straight for Tuale's head.
The three Evil Crows worked together seamlessly. They attacked from different angles, but their timing was impeccable.
Tuale abruptly crouched low. His right hand swung his sword with a clang, blocking the crow's talons on his right, while he raised the bracer on his left arm to guard his other side. Then he darted toward the doorway.
"Ah—" A talon tore through the bracer and ran out of force, but still ripped a chunk of flesh and a fragment of his soul from Tuale's arm.
Tuale had been prepared to suffer an injury in exchange for a chance to escape. But when soul-deep pain and weakness swept through his body, he still stumbled and crashed against the doorframe.
"Caw—" Tuale started. The sound came from above him, not behind. The other two Evil Crows had been waiting outside the door all along.
A talon loomed larger before Tuale's eyes. He focused his will and strength and, in his haste, used the hilt of his sword to block the sudden attack.
He faltered, and from the corner of his eye, he was horrified to see another shadow dart out from behind him. A streak of red flashed across his waist, spraying blood.
"Ah—"
Tuale's pupils suddenly dilated. Along with the intense pain came numbness. His legs abruptly gave way, and he thumped down onto the floor. He struggled to prop himself up with his injured left hand, wildly swinging the rapier in his right.
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..." His spine had been severed.