Mysteries in the Competition

On the slope stood a deep, shadowy cave.

The instant Skylar stepped inside, a chill, dank aura rushed over him. Thick moss clung to the cave walls, and the air carried a faintly fishy-sweet smell. He frowned slightly, his wand turning between his fingers as its dim glow barely illuminated the darkness ahead.

Suddenly, a low, piercing screech came from the cave ceiling—a flock of Ghost-Eyed Bats dove fiercely out of the darkness!

These creatures were larger than ordinary bats, their bodies covered in dark-gray membranes. Their only color came from their crimson eyes, which burned like ghostly flames in the dark. More horrifying still, their mouths split wider than those of normal bats, revealing sharp fangs like predators ready to tear into prey at any moment.

Skylar's gaze darkened as he swiftly dodged to the side. Several Ghost-Eyed Bats skimmed past his shoulders, their claws nearly ripping open his sleeves. He gripped his wand and fired a streak of white light—

The Sonic Boom Charm activated instantly. An invisible shockwave exploded through the air, its echoes ricocheting wildly through the narrow cave, deafeningly loud. The Ghost-Eyed Bats' keenest sense was their hearing. They immediately shrieked in agony and tumbled back toward the ceiling. Some slammed into the rock walls and fell twitching to the ground, while others were knocked unconscious outright, their wings hanging limply.

Seizing the moment, Skylar strode forward and removed the spleen and wings from one of the Ghost-Eyed Bats' corpses. He then put away his wand and turned to leave without lingering, letting the bats on the ceiling that had not fully passed out struggle and cry weakly in the darkness.

He emerged from the cave and came before a patch of low shrubs. A faint magical aura seeped through the dense branches and leaves.