The First Hunt

The tremors beneath Kael's feet were faint but undeniable. Each pulse resonated through the ground, shaking the trees and scattering the smaller creatures of the forest. The air grew thick, tinged with an unnatural stillness that set every nerve in Kael's body on edge.

Draven's voice broke the silence. "Kael, this is no ordinary creature. The roar you just heard it's a Direbeast. They're apex predators, and if one is close, we're in its territory."

Kael tightened his grip on his sword, his knuckles white. Thaloran stood at his side, the massive lion exuding calm strength, but even Kael could feel the tension radiating from his companion. The panther crouched low, its glowing eyes scanning the forest for signs of movement.

"We have to move," Draven said sharply. "Standing here makes us sitting prey."

Kael nodded, but his thoughts were swirling. This would be his first true hunt—a test of his abilities as a Beast Master. The Wind Reaper had been a ferocious opponent, but it was wounded and cornered. A Direbeast was something else entirely.

The group moved cautiously, weaving through the dense forest. Every step felt heavier, as though the air itself resisted their passage. Kael's senses were on high alert, each rustling leaf or snapping twig making his heart race.

"Stay close," Draven whispered, his tone unusually serious. "A Direbeast can sense fear. It uses it against you, drawing you into its traps."

Kael glanced at Thaloran. "Can we handle this?"

Thaloran's deep voice resonated in his mind. "You are capable, young Master. But this hunt will test more than your strength—it will test your bond with me and your ability to trust your instincts."

Kael nodded, his determination hardening. He couldn't afford to fail, not now when so much was at stake.

As they crept deeper into the forest, Kael noticed the first sign of the Direbeast. A massive tree lay uprooted, its trunk splintered as though a great force had torn it from the earth. The ground around it was scarred with claw marks, each gouge deep enough to fit Kael's hand.

"Fresh," Draven muttered, crouching to examine the marks. "It's close."

The panther growled softly, its sleek body tense as it sniffed the air. Thaloran let out a low rumble, his golden eyes narrowing.

"Stay ready," Thaloran warned. "It's watching us."

Kael's pulse quickened. He scanned the forest, his eyes darting between the shadows. The Direbeast was here, somewhere, and it was waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

The attack came without warning. A blur of dark fur and gleaming teeth burst from the underbrush, aiming directly for Draven. Kael barely had time to react, shouting a warning as Thaloran lunged forward, intercepting the beast mid-air.

The force of their collision shook the ground, and Kael caught his first clear glimpse of the Direbeast. It was massive, easily twice the size of Thaloran, with thick, matted fur and eyes that glowed an eerie crimson. Its claws were like scythes, and its snarls sent shivers down Kael's spine.

"Kael!" Draven shouted, rolling to his feet. "Don't just stand there! Command your beasts!"

Kael snapped out of his daze, his voice firm as he called to the panther. "Go for the legs! Trip it up!"

The panther darted forward, its movements a blur as it weaved around the Direbeast. It struck with precision, slashing at the beast's hind legs and forcing it to shift its weight. Thaloran took the opportunity to clamp his jaws around the Direbeast's neck, but the creature was too strong. It thrashed violently, throwing the lion off and sending him crashing into a tree.

"Thaloran!" Kael shouted, running to his companion's side.

"I'm fine," Thaloran growled, shaking himself off. "Focus on the fight."

Kael took a deep breath, his mind racing. Charging blindly wouldn't work the Direbeast was too powerful and too smart. They needed a strategy.

"Draven, can you distract it?" Kael called.

Draven nodded, pulling out a set of throwing knives. He hurled them at the Direbeast, each one striking its thick hide but doing little damage. Still, the beast turned its attention to Draven, giving Kael and his companions a moment to regroup.

"Thaloran, aim for its throat," Kael instructed. "Panther, keep it off balance."

The two beasts moved in unison, their attacks coordinated and precise. Thaloran lunged at the Direbeast's throat, his powerful jaws clamping down with enough force to crack bone. The panther darted around the beast's legs, slashing and biting to keep it unstable.

Kael joined the fray, his sword glowing faintly as he channeled his power into the blade. He struck at the Direbeast's exposed flank, the blade slicing through its thick fur and drawing blood.

The Direbeast howled in rage, its massive body thrashing wildly. It lashed out with its claws, catching Kael's arm and sending him sprawling to the ground.

"Kael!" Draven shouted, running to his side.

"I'm fine," Kael grunted, clutching his bleeding arm. He forced himself to his feet, his determination unshaken. "We can't let it win."

Thaloran roared, his golden mane bristling as he launched himself at the Direbeast once more. The panther followed, its sleek body a blur as it attacked with precision.

Kael knew they couldn't keep this up much longer. The Direbeast was too strong, and its resilience seemed endless. They needed to end this fight now.

"Thaloran," Kael called, his voice firm. "I need you to hold it down."

The lion didn't hesitate, throwing all its weight into the Direbeast and pinning it to the ground. The panther joined in, its claws digging into the beast's shoulders to keep it immobile.

Kael raised his sword, the blade glowing brighter as he poured every ounce of his energy into it. "This ends now!"

He drove the sword into the Direbeast's chest, piercing its heart. The beast let out one final, deafening roar before collapsing, its massive body going limp.

Kael staggered back, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. The Direbeast was dead, its body slowly dissolving into ash. But as the last remnants of the creature faded, a new sound filled the air—a low, rumbling growl that seemed to come from all around them.

Draven's face went pale. "That wasn't the Direbeast."

Kael's heart sank as the ground began to tremble again. From the shadows, a pair of glowing red eyes appeared, followed by another, and another.

"We're not done," Kael muttered, gripping his sword tightly.

From the darkness, more beasts emerged, each one larger and more menacing than the last. The first hunt was over, but the battle was far from won.

To be continued…