The snow had not stopped falling since the day Kael left, and the cold, frigid winds of winter seemed to match the chill in Hana's heart. But life had to continue, and with Kael's absence, the academy had resumed its usual activities. One of those activities was the two-man hunt that had been assigned to Tetsu and Ryuu: a mission to deal with a dangerous snow beast that had been terrorizing the city of Yokohama.
The school had received reports of the beast's increasing aggression, and the residents of Yokohama had been living in constant fear. The beast, a massive creature with fur as white as the snow it thrived in, had been wrecking homes and causing havoc. No one had been able to stop it, and it was only a matter of time before it destroyed the entire city if left unchecked.
Tetsu and Ryuu stood at the base of the mountain that loomed over the city, their breath visible in the cold air as they surveyed the scene before them. The snow had settled into deep drifts, and the atmosphere was eerily silent, save for the occasional howl of the wind.
Ryuu adjusted the collar of his cloak, his sharp gaze scanning the horizon. "This isn't like any beast we've faced before," he said, his voice low but filled with determination. "We need to be careful."
Tetsu nodded, cracking his knuckles. "We've faced worse. We've got this."
His confidence was palpable, but Ryuu remained more cautious. He had grown stronger since Kael's departure, but there was still something unsettling about this particular mission. They had never dealt with a creature like this before—something so deeply connected to the elements.
As they made their way closer to the city, the destruction became more apparent. The buildings that had once been bustling with life were now empty shells, windows shattered, doors torn from their hinges. The streets were littered with debris, signs of a battle long lost.
Tetsu clenched his fists. "It's been here for a while. This creature... it's not just some random beast. It's been hunting these people down."
Ryuu's eyes narrowed. "The longer we take to deal with it, the more lives it will ruin."
They moved quickly, their eyes searching for any sign of the beast. Then, the wind shifted, and they both stopped in their tracks. The temperature dropped even further, and a sudden sense of dread filled the air.
"Get ready," Ryuu warned, his voice tense.
Without warning, the beast emerged from behind a building—a massive, hulking creature covered in snow-white fur. Its eyes glowed an eerie blue, and its claws were as long as swords. It let out a deafening roar, causing the very ground beneath their feet to shake.
"That's no ordinary beast," Tetsu muttered, sizing up the creature. "This thing's massive."
The snow beast snarled, its breath freezing the air around them, and it lunged forward with terrifying speed, aiming for the two hunters.
"Move!" Ryuu shouted, narrowly dodging the creature's claw swipe.
Tetsu darted to the side, using his speed to evade the creature's attacks while looking for an opening. "We can't let it get to the city!" he shouted. "We need to take it down fast."
Ryuu drew his weapon—a long, curved sword with an almost ethereal glow—and charged at the beast. With a swift movement, he slashed at its side, but the creature's thick fur seemed to absorb the blow.
"That's not going to be enough," Ryuu said, frustration creeping into his voice.
Tetsu didn't hesitate. He dashed forward, using his own unique fighting style to land a series of rapid blows, hitting the beast with everything he had. But despite his efforts, the creature didn't seem to slow down.
"It's too tough," Tetsu growled, his muscles straining with each punch. "We need to find a weak point."
The snow beast howled again, its roar shaking the very foundations of the city. It wasn't just a physical threat—it was a creature of the elements, using the snow and ice to its advantage. Tetsu and Ryuu were up against more than just brute strength; they were fighting against the cold itself.
Ryuu's eyes glinted with determination. "I have an idea," he said, turning toward Tetsu. "Keep it distracted for a moment."
Tetsu grinned, eager for the challenge. "I can do that."
The two moved in sync, their teamwork seamless as Tetsu launched himself at the creature, keeping it engaged while Ryuu prepared his next move. With a quick motion, Ryuu infused his sword with energy, the blade glowing brighter as he focused all his power into a single strike.
Tetsu's voice rang out as he continued to dodge the beast's claws. "Hurry up, Ryuu!"
The beast turned to swipe at Tetsu, but Ryuu took his chance. With a single, powerful swing, his sword connected with the beast's exposed side. The energy from his sword surged through the creature, cutting through the thick fur and skin with an explosion of ice shards and light.
For a moment, everything was silent, and then the beast let out a final, pained howl as it collapsed to the ground, defeated.
Tetsu panted, his body covered in sweat despite the cold. "We did it."
Ryuu wiped the sweat from his brow, his sword flickering with residual energy. "We did, but it wasn't easy."
The snow beast lay motionless, its body still radiating an eerie blue glow, as the two stood over it, taking a moment to catch their breath. But the battle wasn't over yet—the destruction left behind was still a reminder of what they had lost and what they still had to protect.
"We should check the city," Tetsu said, his voice steady now. "Make sure there are no more threats."
Ryuu nodded, sheathing his sword. "Agreed. But I think we've made enough noise for today. Let's head back."
As they made their way through the remnants of Yokohama, the snow continued to fall, covering the destruction in a blanket of white. It was a bittersweet victory—one that came at a cost. The city was safe, but the fight was never truly over.