Chapter 4 – Trial by Blood
The Ghostfang Alpha lunged.
Its massive form blurred as it charged through the fog, the ground trembling beneath its weight. Its jaws snapped open, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth.
Kairo and Raizen moved instantly.
Kairo leaped back, flames bursting from his feet as Pyra's power flared around him. Golden embers danced in the air as he twisted mid-air, launching a burst of fire straight at the beast's head.
Boom!
The flames engulfed the wolf's face, but the Alpha plowed through the fire unharmed.
"Damn," Kairo muttered. "It shrugged that off?"
Raizen, already in motion, dashed to the side. His Stormfang Dragon, perched on his back, let out a low growl as Raizen's eyes flashed blue.
A howling gust of wind surrounded him as he disappeared in a blur—his speed doubling in an instant.
Stormfang's power…
Raizen reappeared behind the Alpha, his sword flashing as he struck—
But the beast spun unnaturally fast, its tail whipping out like a steel chain.
CRACK!
Raizen barely blocked in time, his blade absorbing most of the impact, but the force still sent him skidding backward.
"Tch. This thing is no joke." He clicked his tongue.
The Ghostfang Alpha lowered its stance, muscles tensing. Then—
It vanished.
A shockwave followed as the beast reappeared in front of Kairo, its claws slashing toward him.
Fast!
Kairo barely managed to cross his arms before—
SLASH!
The impact sent him crashing into a tree, bark splintering as pain shot through his body. Blood dripped from fresh gashes across his arms.
"Kairo!"
Raizen launched forward, his sword gleaming with storm energy, but the Alpha countered instantly, swiping with its claws.
Raizen dodged left, his blade sparking with lightning, and slashed at the wolf's hind leg. The beast snarled as the attack connected, dark blood spraying onto the forest floor.
The Alpha howled in rage.
And then—its eyes glowed red.
---
Unleashing the Beast's Power
Kairo pushed himself up, panting. His wounds sizzled with golden flames, slowly closing.
Healing… Pyra's ability is kicking in.
But before he could react—
The Ghostfang Alpha's body began to shift.
Its muscles expanded, dark fur bristling as crimson energy crackled around it. The air grew thick with killing intent.
Raizen's grip tightened. "It's… transforming?"
Kairo's eyes widened. "No way…"
Suddenly, the Alpha roared, and an explosion of dark energy erupted from its body—sending shockwaves through the entire forest.
The beast grew even larger, claws elongating, fangs sharper than ever. Its red eyes burned with pure bloodlust.
Kairo clenched his fists.
This wasn't just a normal beast anymore.
It had unlocked its Beastborne Transformation.
Raizen exhaled, rolling his shoulders. "Fine. If that's how it is…"
A fierce smirk spread across his face as his Stormfang aura surged. The wind howled around him, his body glowing faintly with silver-blue energy.
"…then we stop holding back too."
Kairo felt heat rising in his chest. His Phoenix screeched, flames igniting around him.
The battle wasn't over.
It was just getting started.
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To be continued-
Next Chapter – Flames and Thunder