Could be a trap... or not.

"What was that?" Ava asked, her staff glowing faintly.

The group halted, their eyes scanning the darkness. The growl came again, closer this time, followed by the sound of something large moving through the trees.

Adrian drew his sword, the fiery chains igniting at his back. "Stay together," he ordered.

"Okay, this is getting old," Lilith said, getting into position with the others.

The growl turned into a roar, and from the shadows emerged a massive beast, its eyes glowing red and its body covered in thick, matted fur. It towered over them, its claws glinting in the moonlight.

"Well," Medea said dryly, her black flames flaring to life. "So much for a quiet night."

Adrian tightened his grip on his sword, his heart pounding. "Here we go again."