The owl began to whip up a furious wind, but Madhuri lunged forward with a solid swing of the hammer into the belly, sending the avian reeling. The lightning rained down and spread singed down upon the grass-carpeted base of the tree.

"The fiery one spoke! Surely you're not shy? Who do you have up there?" Another swing, teeth bared. The impact was joined by sheer concussive force.

She turned her head. "The cages react not to physical damage but to magic! Most things here act in kind."