Chapter 136: The Garuda Beast

"Boom!" With a deafening crash, the Soaring Dragon Beast plummeted to the ground, slamming into the earth and creating a massive crater. Garuda Beast watched the scene unfold, knowing full well that the Soaring Dragon Beast was not yet dead.

If the creature had truly perished, he would have been able to absorb its data by now, but he could not. In other words, the Soaring Dragon Beast was still alive, though undoubtedly suffering from severe injuries.

Seeing this, Garuda Beast immediately dove from the sky, aiming a heavy stomp directly at the fallen foe. He was confident that if his foot connected, he would either deal a crushing blow or finish the creature off entirely.

However, just as Garuda Beast descended to strike, the Soaring Dragon Beast’s eyes snapped open. With a sudden burst of movement, it transformed into a blur of shadow and lunged upward toward Garuda Beast. In mid-flight, the Soaring Dragon Beast opened its maw, unleashing a vicious counterattack.

"Damn it!" Garuda Beast cried out, attempting to shift his momentum to dodge. But it was too late. He managed to evade ninety percent of the strike, but his foot was caught. The limb was instantly seared, emitting the savory, roasted scent of cooked poultry—though whether the flavor was actually appetizing remained a matter of speculation.

Following this exchange, the two beasts pulled apart, both looking wary. Both were battered; Garuda Beast bore a massive wound across his chest, and his foot was now charred. Meanwhile, the Soaring Dragon Beast’s wings were riddled with deep lacerations. For a Digimon reliant on wings for flight, such damage would typically hinder speed or render flight impossible. Yet, as the Soaring Dragon Beast did not strictly depend on its wings to stay airborne, it remained aloft, though its speed had undeniably been compromised.

"You are no match for me," the Soaring Dragon Beast stated calmly. "If you surrender now, you might still have a chance to live."

Garuda Beast sneered, "Don't count on it. Until the final moment, who can say who will be the victor?"

Despite his bravado, Garuda Beast knew the truth: the Soaring Dragon Beast was not lying. He was indeed outmatched. While both were wounded, the Soaring Dragon Beast’s injuries were concentrated on its back and wings, leaving its primary combat capabilities largely intact. In contrast, the gaping wound on Garuda Beast’s chest was impossible to ignore, and it was clear that his mobility would suffer for it.

Nearby, Elena observed the aerial standoff, her expression grave. She turned to Li Beast and asked, "What do you think? Who has the better chance of winning, the Soaring Dragon Beast or the Garuda Beast?"

Li Beast responded with a detached air, "Don't you already have your own conclusion?"

"Do you also think Garuda Beast will lose?" Elena asked with concern. Regardless of their past, Garuda Beast was now their ally, and the outcome of this battle would have significant consequences. She did not want to see him fall.

Li Beast glanced at her anxious expression, considered for a moment, and said, "Not necessarily."

"You actually favor Garuda Beast?" Elena asked, incredulous.

"Look closely," Li Beast explained. "On the surface, Garuda Beast’s injuries look worse, but they are superficial wounds to his torso. While painful, they do not impede his ability to strike. The Soaring Dragon Beast, however, appears less injured, but its damage is concentrated on its back and wings. Remember, the Soaring Dragon Beast relies on three main points of attack."

"First is its bite, which requires high speed to be effective. Second is the spear on its back, but you can see it is covered in marks from the battle; I highly doubt it is still functional. Third are its wings. While they don't prevent flight, the damage significantly reduces the power behind its movements."

"With two of its three weapons compromised or weakened, how much hope does it have of defeating Garuda Beast relying solely on its breath attack? It is only because Garuda Beast is also injured that the Soaring Dragon Beast even has a chance."

Li Beast did not lower his voice, and his assessment echoed across the battlefield. Given the keen hearing of the Digimon present, his words were clearly heard by both combatants.

Garuda Beast looked at the scowling Soaring Dragon Beast and chuckled, "You heard him. I wouldn't surrender a moment ago, and I certainly won't now."

"Then die!" With a roar, the Soaring Dragon Beast charged.

"Die?" Garuda Beast retorted with confidence. "The one who will die is you, not me."

The Soaring Dragon Beast opened its mouth, unleashing a torrent of energy while surging forward, its entire body seemingly wreathed in flames as it closed the distance. Garuda Beast countered by manifesting vacuum blades, slashing them toward his opponent.

However, while Garuda Beast's attacks were swift, the Soaring Dragon Beast was no slouch. It dodged and weaved, narrowly avoiding each strike. Yet, Garuda Beast was persistent; for every attack the Soaring Dragon Beast dodged, two more were launched in its direction.

It seemed inevitable that the Soaring Dragon Beast would be struck before it could reach its target. Just as the spectators reached this conclusion, a blade connected with the Soaring Dragon Beast, and unable to evade in time, it took the full force of the blow.