The air thickened with killing intent. Kael's system interface pulsed crimson, the flashing warning text stinging his eyes. His grip tightened around his steel sword, knuckles whitening as he exhaled through clenched teeth.
The damned system should make up its mind.
The Sanguin Wolf crouched low, claws tearing shallow furrows into the earth as it prepared to lunge. Its mismatched eyes locked on him, glowing with an otherworldly hunger.
Too strong. The system wouldn't give me an escape quest if this thing could be killed easily.
The beast lunged.
Kael barely had time to throw himself sideways using Feral Sprint. A blur of muscle and shadow tore through where he had stood, the ground exploding in a spray of dirt as the wolf's claws raked deep grooves. Kael rolled, came up on one knee, and slashed. Steel kissed flesh. A shallow line of blood welled across the creature's flank.
Too fast. There's no way I can escape from this thing!
The Sanguin Wolf didn't flinch. It turned its monstrous head and let out a roar that rattled Kael's bones.
[Health -12]
The force alone had chipped away at him.
Kael spat blood and backed up, his sword raised. His instincts screamed to let the wolf within him loose, to abandon the man's restraint and meet beast with beast. His blood boiled under his skin, claws and fangs aching to burst forth.
But no. Not yet. Not when he didn't know what this thing truly was. Or if he could even turn in the first place. And even if he turned could he contr—
The creature lunged again not giving him any time to think, this time feinting left before snapping right with blinding speed. Kael managed to raised his sword and parried desperately. The impact rang down his arm like a hammer striking an anvil. His blade nearly tore from his grip, but he twisted, angling the beast's claw aside and sliding under its bulk. He slashed upward. Sparks flew as his sword scraped against the thing's iron-like fur.
Armor… no, hide. Too thick to pierce except at the joints or the throat.
The wolf whirled, faster than its bulk should allow. Its jaws snapped shut inches from Kael's neck, hot saliva spraying his cheek. He shoved his shoulder into its muzzle, pushing with all his strength, while jabbing his sword at its exposed underjaw.
The blade bit shallow. The wolf howled, rearing back, and with a swipe of its massive paw sent Kael flying. He smashed into a tree trunk, breath tearing from his lungs.
[Health -48]
[Rib Fracture sustained!]
No shit Sherlock! I can feel it for myself!
Pain lit every nerve like fire, but Kael forced himself up, coughing blood. His vision wavered, but his wolf blood surged, healing threads knitting faintly beneath his skin. Not enough. They weren't fast enough.
The beast prowled closer, tail lashing like a whip. Its eyes glowed brighter, and Kael realized with dawning horror—this thing wasn't just a predator. Its presence felt wrong, as if something mystic pulsed through its veins. It felt like a beast made with magic, the beast in him could feel it, almost... taste it. One word came to his mind...
Daedra...
This is bad! If I try to run... If I turn my back on this thing, I wouldn't even know how I died!
I have to fight
The abomination leapt. Kael didn't dodge this time. He met it.
Activating Feral Sprint, he charged towards it.
Steel screeched against claw as he braced his sword horizontally, sparks spraying as the monster's weight bore down. Kael snarled back at it, eyes burning amber. With a surge of strength, he shoved the beast sideways, rolled under its snapping jaws, and drove his sword up toward its exposed belly.
The tip pierced. Just barely. But blood flowed, black and steaming, hissing when it touched the ground like acid.
It shrieked in pain and rage, thrashing violently. Kael tore his blade free and staggered back, chest heaving.
Not enough. Not nearly enough.
The beast circled now, wary, growling with guttural anger. Kael's arm shook, blood dripping from his fingers where the claws had grazed him. The system screamed escape, but he couldn't, not anymore.
Then the beast lunged again, faster than before. Kael raised his sword as he activated his skill again, moving backwards but it was still too slow. Claws raked his chest, flinging him backwards.
His back hit stone, vision swimming.
[Health Critical!]
[Activating Forced Transformation]
Kael's breath tore ragged from his lungs. His sword arm trembled. The beast prowled closer, jaws dripping gore.
His lips curled back into a feral grin.
"Fine… let's see which wolf is stronger."