Duel in the Sky

The wind howled around Kevin as the sonic boom struck him mid-air, sending him plummeting towards the forest floor. The force rattled his body, each moment feeling like a hammer striking against his bones. Twisting mid-fall, he braced himself, the dense foliage offering little cushion as he hit the ground. A deafening thud echoed, dust and debris scattering in all directions. Kevin coughed violently, blood staining his lips as he gripped his ribs, steadying his breath. "This thing…" he muttered, wiping his mouth, "is relentless." He staggered to his feet, gripping his sword tightly. Above him, the screech of the predator rang loud and clear, its echo reverberating through the shattered forest.

Circling the sky was the infamous Skyrazor, a Level 3 Gold beast. Its majestic wings shimmered with metallic feathers that glinted in the fading light of day, each movement stirring gusts that rattled the trees below. It was enormous, its talons capable of crushing boulders, its golden beak sharp and menacing. Despite the creature's beauty, there was only danger in its presence. Kevin knew it well. The moment he had nearly severed its wing earlier, the beast had retreated to the safety of the skies, raining attacks from above to keep him at bay.

Skyrazor's wings tilted, and with a sharp cry, it launched a flurry of metallic feathers. Each one gleamed with a deadly edge, slicing through the air toward Kevin like a rain of blades. Kevin steadied his stance, his body moving fluidly as he deflected the onslaught. His sword sang with every strike, a rhythmic clash of metal against metal. He danced between the attacks, each movement precise, his hands a blur as the feathers ricocheted harmlessly away.

Every swing carried an elegance born of relentless practice. His movements were like water flowing through the narrowest of paths, bending and adapting to every strike. But even as he held his ground, the strain showed. Sweat dripped from his brow, his breaths growing heavier with each deflection. "This won't hold for long," he murmured, his voice barely audible over the clatter of falling feathers. Soon the feathers stopped coming, but Skyrazor was already preparing its next attack. The brief reprieve gave Kevin just enough time to reassess his strategy, his mind racing to keep up with the beast's deadly assaults.

Kevin crouched low, his sword held in a reverse grip. His thoughts raced as he surveyed the creature above, its movements deliberate as it prepared another assault. Inhaling deeply, he shifted his weight and infused his aura into his legs and arm. The energy coursed through him, his muscles tensing and his body vibrating with newfound power. He raised his sword, pointing it toward the beast. The grip on his blade tightened. "No more waiting."

With a guttural cry, he hurled the sword upward. It streaked through the sky, a silver blur of light heading directly for the bird. Skyrazor screeched, sensing the attack, and flapped its wings to evade. But Kevin's aim was true. The blade pierced the base of its wing, cutting through flesh and bone. Blood sprayed across the sky, and Skyrazor faltered. It flailed mid-air, its balance compromised as it spiraled toward the ground, a mix of fury and desperation evident in its cry.

Kevin wasted no time. Sprinting forward, he leapt onto a fallen log, propelling himself high into the air. His outstretched hand caught the sword as it descended. He flipped in mid-flight, aiming for the beast's exposed neck. Skyrazor, though wounded, retaliated. It twisted its massive body, its remaining wing striking Kevin with immense force.

"ARGH!" Kevin cried as he was thrown back, crashing into the ground once more. The pain radiated through his body, but he gritted his teeth, pushing himself up. Kevin was lightly hurt but nothing major, but the bird was hurt pretty bad and unable to fly. The bird was in Kevin's turf now. Kevin smiled and launched himself towards the bird again. Across from him, Skyrazor hit the earth with a thunderous impact, its massive form shaking the ground. The once-dominant predator now struggled to stand, its movements labored and uneven. The bird launched a sonic blast, but Kevin was prepared. While running, he held his sword and cut the blast in half. It literally tore the clothes on his arm, but he was safe. When nearing the bird, he slid down and cut the stomach from below. The bird screeched and tried to stamp on Kevin, but Kevin dodged and got out.

Kevin steadied himself, his vision narrowing on the beast as it opened its beak wide. A sphere of energy began forming, warping the very air around it. The hum of the sonic blast grew louder, a deafening crescendo that heralded destruction. Kevin tried to move, but a chilling black energy wrapped around him, freezing him in place. He recognized it immediately—killing intent. The bird's overwhelming malice bore down on him, pressing against his very soul, making his limbs feel like lead. He gritted his teeth, fighting against the invisible force. Kevin's eyes narrowed as he steadied his sword, forcing his body to respond. He knew this attack was different. There was no retreating from it.

Aura flared around him, enveloping both his body and blade. Unknown to Kevin, the aura extended to the blade's edge as well, creating a luminous glow that intensified with every moment. Such a feat should have been impossible for someone of his cultivation level—the precise control required to channel aura into a weapon was a skill only achievable by those in the advanced Qi Cultivation realm. Yet, here it was, defying all logic. He tightened his stance, grounding himself as the energy swirled, his connection to the sword deepening. It wasn't just a weapon in his hands; it was a part of him now.

"Come on," Kevin muttered, his voice low but filled with resolve.

Skyrazor screeched, releasing the sonic blast. The wave tore through the air, obliterating everything in its path. Trees splintered, the earth cracked, and the sheer force threatened to sweep Kevin away. But he stood firm, his feet digging into the ground. With a fierce cry, he raised his blade, meeting the energy head-on.

The collision sent shockwaves rippling through the forest. Kevin slid back, the ground beneath him crumbling as he fought to hold his ground. His arms burned, the sheer power of the blast threatening to overwhelm him. Yet he pushed forward, his blade slicing into the wave of energy. The aura around his sword intensified, cutting deeper with each push. His entire body screamed in protest, but his will refused to break.

"Not yet," Kevin growled through gritted teeth, his voice strained. "I'm not done yet!" With a final, desperate thrust, he broke through, the blast dispersing in a brilliant explosion of light. The force of the explosion knocked him back, his feet dragging furrows into the earth as he came to a halt, panting heavily. The burst had left the surrounding trees warped and cracked, their broken forms a stark reminder of the devastating force he had just overcome.

The forest fell silent, the aftermath of the battle leaving an eerie stillness. Kevin's chest heaved as he caught his breath, his body trembling from exertion. He scanned the clearing, his gaze locking onto Skyrazor. The mighty bird lay still, its once-vibrant feathers dulled and lifeless. Whatever life force it had left had been spent in its final attack. Even in death, it looked formidable, its massive form casting a shadow over the battlefield.

Kevin approached cautiously, retrieving the golden token embedded in its chest. He held it tightly, the warmth of the token a small comfort against the chill of the evening air. He looked around, the destruction around him a stark reminder of the battle's ferocity. The broken trees and scorched earth were a testament to the power of his foe. Each step forward felt heavy, as if the weight of the fight still clung to his weary limbs.

Sinking to his knees, he let out a shaky breath. The fight had taken everything from him, but he had prevailed. Today marked the sixth day since the test started and Kevin had begun searching for Roy, and he hadn't been able to find him yet. Along the way, he had scored 9,000 points by defeating multiple Gold Level creatures, each encounter pushing him closer to his limits. He had faced deadly predators, cunning ambushes, and traps that tested his every sense. Through these battles, Kevin had come to understand one thing—not all Gold or Silver Level creatures were the same. Skyrazor, the beast he had just defeated, was by far the most difficult and powerful Gold level he had faced. Its cunning, strength, and malice had pushed him beyond anything he thought himself capable of.

Kevin ran his fingers over the token, its texture a comforting contrast against the roughness of his bruised and calloused hands. 

"I need to keep moving," he whispered, his voice barely audible as he steadied himself, feeling the earth beneath his feet. Though blind, his heightened senses mapped the destruction around him—broken trees, the faint crackle of dying embers, and the stillness of the forest. The search for Roy loomed heavy on his mind, a gnawing concern that urged him forward. He adjusted his grip on the token, its faint warmth grounding him, and with a determined breath, he vanished into the shadows, leaving behind the battlefield.

Meanwhile, in a distant part of the forest, Selene, Eryk, and Arlen were locked in their own struggles. Selene, her auburn braid swaying behind her, faced off against a hulking Silverback Behemoth. The beast roared, its massive fists crashing into the ground, sending tremors that shook the very trees. Selene's glaive glinted under the moonlight as she spun with precision, her movements a symphony of discipline and control. Each strike landed true, earning her 3,200 points by the time she drove her blade deep into the beast's core. Yet, the creature's thick hide absorbed much of the damage, and it took every ounce of her skill to bring it down. She gritted her teeth, her sharp blue eyes narrowing as she planned her next move.

Eryk, not far away, had taken on a pack of Bloodfang Wolves. His broad axe whistled through the air, its weight cleaving through the pack's ranks with brutal efficiency. The wolves were relentless, their glowing red eyes focused on him, their snarls filling the air. Despite the chaos, Eryk's confident stride never faltered. "Come on, you mangy mutts," he growled, his voice steady, as another wolf lunged at him, only to meet the edge of his blade. Each wolf he felled added to his tally, totaling 2,800 points after he finally crushed the pack leader's skull with a resounding blow.

Arlen, however, thrived in the shadows. His wiry frame darted between the trees, twin daggers flashing in and out of the darkness. He targeted a trio of shadowy figures, likely other aspirants who had turned hostile in the chaos of the test. His scruffy brown hair was damp with sweat, but his grin remained intact. "You thought you'd ambush me? Rookie mistake," he muttered under his breath, his curved daggers making short work of the attackers. Each defeated foe contributed to his 2,500 points, leaving him quietly triumphant as he disappeared into the forest's embrace.