The Divine Sorceress (4)

[Country United States, State: San Francisco, North beach]

The creature wounded but far from defeated, clawed its way back to its feet.

Another roar echoed across the water, this one tinged with a new, desperate ferocity.

Thrax was no longer a predator driven by hunger, but a cornered beast fighting for survival.

Aurelia circled it, a predator relishing the thrill of the hunt. A smirk spread across her face.

"I'm happy you can still fight!" Her voice held a playful challenge tinged with arrogance.

"Then I'll make sure to savour this moment for a long time!"

As she noticed an eerie, pulsating glow spread across the creature's back, her smirk widened. 

This wasn't fear, but the joy of a new challenge.

Any monster gathering power intrigued her, and this felt different… powerful, almost exciting.

Then, her eyes – a startling, sky-blue – flared with focused power.