“As Zorch’s head lunges, Rex uses two hands and wraps them around his feathered neck. Spots of brown feathers fly as Zorch screeches in pain. Rex clutches the bird’s neck. For the first time in his life, Zorch begins to feel weak. He coughs loudly as the lizard slams the bird’s back into the ground with a resounding thud.
With his foot, Zorch slices Rex’s abdomen with his talon. The lizard yells and spits in pain as the sting worsens as the seconds go by. He feels warm blood drip from the wound. But his grip doesn’t falter. Zorch begins to turn a shade of blue as the lizard mounts his enemy. Rex’s muscles flex under the hot sunlight.

- Akena: A Sword and Planet Tale, Excerpt”