Blood and Fang

Hayato's heartbeat pounded in his ears. His vision was tinted red, his werewolf instincts taking over as he faced off against the monstrous polar bear man.

The beast loomed over him, its massive white-furred body illuminated by the dim streetlights. Claws like butcher's knives gleamed as it swung, aiming straight for Hayato's head.

SLASH!

Hayato barely ducked in time, feeling the wind of the strike brush past his ears. He retaliated with a sharp upward claw swipe, aiming for the beast's chest.

His claws raked against the polar bear's thick fur, but it barely flinched.

Instead, the beast grabbed his arm in an iron grip.

Hayato snarled, twisting his body to break free, but the monster lifted him off the ground and slammed him into the pavement.

CRACK!

Pain exploded through his ribs as he gasped for air.

The polar bear roared, raising its massive claw again. Hayato rolled to the side just in time to avoid having his skull crushed.

Blood dripped from his mouth as he forced himself up. His body screamed in protest, but he couldn't afford to lose.

He dashed forward, using his werewolf speed to feint left, then right, before launching a brutal knee strike into the beast's ribs. The impact sent a ripple through the creature's body, but it barely staggered.

The bear swung at him again, this time with terrifying precision.

Hayato wasn't fast enough to dodge completely.

SLASH!

Three deep gashes tore across his shoulder, his blood splattering onto the pavement. He howled in pain, stumbling back.

His vision blurred.

His muscles trembled.

His body was failing.

Damn it… No… Not like this…

The polar bear man took slow, heavy steps forward, eyes gleaming with the promise of a final strike. Hayato tried to move, but his legs felt like lead.

He collapsed to one knee.

The polar bear raised its claws—ready to end him.

Then—

BZZZT!

A sudden jolt of electricity crackled through the air, shocking the beast. It let out a deep snarl, staggering backward.

Hayato barely registered the headlights cutting through the night before a black van skidded to a stop nearby.

The van doors burst open.

Figures in tactical gear rushed out, moving with precision. Before Hayato could even react, darkness consumed him.

He had blacked out.

---

Yuki's Desperate Escape

Yuki's breath was ragged.

She sprinted through the streets, her legs burning as she pushed herself toward home.

The tiger man was right behind her, its padded steps eerily silent for something so large.

She burst into her house, slamming the door behind her.

Her heart pounded. Where's Grandpa?!

She frantically searched the dimly lit home.

"Grandpa?! Master Ho Dieng?!"

No answer.

Fear crawled up her spine.

She didn't have time to think. The door exploded inward.

The tiger man barreled through, its glowing yellow eyes locked onto her.

Yuki barely had time to react as it lunged.

She ducked, the beast's claws tearing through the air above her head. She grabbed the nearest object—a chair—and threw it at the creature.

CRASH!

The chair shattered against its chest, but the beast barely flinched.

Yuki bolted toward the hallway, her mind racing. Think, think!

The beast pursued, its heavy footsteps shaking the floorboards.

She grabbed a nearby broomstick and swung it with all her strength.

THWACK!

The tiger man staggered for a split second. It wasn't much, but it was enough.

Yuki sprinted into another room and slammed the door shut, locking it.

Her hands trembled as she pulled out her phone.

She had only one person she could call.

Remond.

---

Searching for Sid

Remond leaned against the school's janitor's closet, his mind spinning.

Sid was still missing.

Every attempt to reach him had failed, and now, after asking around, he had run out of leads.

He sighed, rubbing his temples.

The janitor, an older man with a cigarette tucked behind his ear, noticed his frustration. "You look like you lost somethin' important, kid."

Remond looked up. "Yeah… My friend. He went to the bathroom during lunch and never came back."

The janitor scratched his chin. "Ain't my job to keep track of every random kid, but I'd remember if something strange happened."

Remond sighed. "I just need to know if anyone suspicious was near the bathrooms today."

The janitor thought for a moment. "Now that ya mention it, there was a van parked behind the school around lunchtime. Ain't usual for deliveries at that hour."

Remond's heart skipped a beat.

Before he could ask more—

His phone buzzed.

It was Yuki.

He ignored it.

He wasn't in the mood for distractions.

Another call.

And another.

The janitor noticed. "Kid, if someone's callin' you like that, maybe you should pick up."

Remond hesitated before finally answering.

"Yuki?"

Her voice was filled with pure panic.

"Remond—h-help! There's—!"

The call cut off.

His blood ran cold.

Something was very, very wrong.