Tave dove faster than he ever had before. This wasn't just a fall. It was a full-force plummet through the sky, his wings screaming against the wind as he chased Panpan.
The demon hadn't held back at all.
Panpan's body was spinning violently. She was falling far too fast.
But then. Something changed.
Tave's eyes locked on her, and he saw it. The fall slowed.
Just enough.
She had used her Air Element, not to stop the fall, but to drag herself, hold herself just long enough.
That was the moment.
Tave beat his wings harder, twisted downward, and caught her.
His arms locked around her, and the wind blasted past them as he adjusted, his wings flaring out to slow the descent.
"Tave!" Panpan gasped, holding onto him tight as her voice barely cut through the rush of air.
He didn't let go. Not even for a second.
He pulled up, wings straining, flying level again.
Panpan had saved herself just enough to let him catch her.
He nodded to himself. No time to speak.
