Chapter 8: "Lightning and Lies"
The Thunderclaw Bear roared, the sound shaking the canyon walls and sending a jolt of fear through the recruits. Its fur crackled with electricity, and its glowing eyes locked onto the group with predatory focus.
Kaela raised her sword, her voice cutting through the tension. "Stick to the plan! Archers, take the high ground! Melee fighters, flank it! And for the love of the gods, don't get hit!"
The recruits scrambled into position, their movements hurried but coordinated. Jack hung back, his eyes scanning the battlefield. He activated the plug-in.
"Analyze the Thunderclaw Bear's movements," he said quietly.
The plug-in responded.
**[Thunderclaw Bear: Movement Patterns Detected.]**
**[Attack Frequency: Every 8–10 Seconds.]**
**[Weakness: Grounded Attacks (Disrupts Electrical Charge).]**
**[Recommendation: Exploit Weakness and Avoid Direct Engagement.]]
Jack nodded. He needed to stay out of the bear's line of sight while still contributing to the fight. He moved to the edge of the canyon, his dagger at the ready.
---
Garrick, however, had other plans. He charged forward, his sword raised high. "I've got this!" he shouted, his voice brimming with misplaced confidence.
The Thunderclaw Bear turned its head, its glowing eyes narrowing. With a swipe of its massive paw, it sent a bolt of lightning arcing toward Garrick.
"Garrick, move!" Jack shouted, but it was too late.
The lightning struck, sending Garrick flying backward. He hit the ground hard, his armor smoking and his sword clattering out of reach.
Jack activated the plug-in.
"Analyze Garrick's condition," he said.
The plug-in responded.
**[Garrick: Minor Injuries (Burns, Concussion).]**
**[Threat Level: Low.]**
**[Recommendation: Leave Him.]]
Jack sighed. "As much as I'd love to, we need him alive."
He darted forward, grabbing Garrick by the arm and dragging him behind a boulder. The Thunderclaw Bear roared, its attention now fully on Jack.
"You're welcome," Jack muttered, setting Garrick down.
Garrick groaned, his eyes fluttering open. "What… what happened?"
"You got hit by lightning," Jack said. "Try not to do that again."
---
The battle raged on, the recruits doing their best to wear the Thunderclaw Bear down. The archers fired volleys of arrows, some of them tipped with water vials to disrupt the bear's electrical charge. The melee fighters darted in and out, striking at its flanks before retreating.
Jack stayed on the periphery, using his plug-in to guide the team's movements.
"Plug-in, predict the bear's next attack," he said.
The plug-in responded.
**[Thunderclaw Bear: Preparing Thunder Roar.]**
**[Impact Radius: 20 Meters.]**
**[Recommendation: Take Cover.]]
Jack turned to the recruits. "Incoming! Take cover!"
The recruits scattered, diving behind rocks and into crevices just as the Thunderclaw Bear unleashed its Thunder Roar. The sound was deafening, the shockwave rippling through the canyon and sending debris flying.
When the dust settled, the recruits emerged, shaken but unharmed.
Kaela glanced at Jack, her expression unreadable. "Good call."
Jack shrugged. "Just doing my part."
---
As the battle continued, Jack noticed something strange. Kaela wasn't fighting—she was observing, her eyes darting between the recruits and the Thunderclaw Bear. It was as if she was waiting for something.
Jack activated the plug-in.
"Analyze Kaela's behavior," he said.
The plug-in responded.
**[Kaela: Observing, Not Engaging.]**
**[Possible Motives: Testing Recruits, Hidden Agenda.]**
**[Recommendation: Monitor Closely.]]
Jack's eyes narrowed. He didn't trust Kaela, and this only confirmed his suspicions. But for now, he had bigger problems.
---
The Thunderclaw Bear was growing weaker, its movements slower and its attacks less frequent. The recruits pressed their advantage, their confidence growing with each strike.
But just as it seemed the battle was won, the Thunderclaw Bear let out a final, earth-shaking roar. Its fur crackled with electricity, and the air grew heavy with the scent of ozone.
"What's it doing?" one of the recruits shouted.
Jack activated the plug-in.
"Analyze the bear's energy levels," he said.
The plug-in responded.
**[Thunderclaw Bear: Energy Levels Spiking.]**
**[Warning: Preparing Devastating Attack.]**
**[Recommendation: Evacuate Immediately.]]
Jack's eyes widened. "It's overcharging! Everyone, get out of here!"
The recruits hesitated, but Kaela's voice cut through the chaos. "Do as he says! Move!"
The group scrambled to retreat, but it was too late. The Thunderclaw Bear unleashed its final attack, a massive burst of lightning that lit up the canyon and sent shockwaves rippling through the ground.
Jack dove behind a boulder, the heat of the lightning singeing his skin. When the light faded, the canyon was silent—except for the sound of the Thunderclaw Bear collapsing, its body smoking and lifeless.
---
The recruits emerged from their hiding places, their faces pale and their hands trembling. Garrick was among them, his earlier bravado replaced by stunned silence.
Kaela walked over to the bear's body, her expression thoughtful. She turned to the recruits, her voice calm but firm.
"Good work. But this isn't over. The core is still intact. Someone needs to extract it."
The recruits exchanged uneasy glances. Jack stepped forward, his dagger in hand.
"I'll do it," he said.
Kaela nodded. "Be careful. The core is unstable."
Jack activated the plug-in.
"Analyze the core," he said.
The plug-in responded.
**[Thunderclaw Bear Core: Highly Volatile.]**
**[Energy Levels: Critical.]**
**[Recommendation: Extract with Caution.]]
Jack approached the bear's body, his movements careful and deliberate. As he extracted the core, he couldn't shake the feeling that Kaela was watching him—not just as a recruiter, but as something more.