The Alpha's roar split the arena like thunder. Stone trembled, torches flickered, and every lesser beast slunk back, cowering before their king.
It stood taller than three men, stitched from the corpses of its own kind. Its hide was cracked and leaking black smoke, its fangs glistening with poison. Its eyes—two sickly green lanterns—fixed on the survivors.
Shadowfang lowered itself, golden flames licking across its fur. Ethan felt the bond thrum like a war drum in his chest, every beat screaming fight.
Around him, candidates faltered. Some whispered prayers, others clutched their bleeding companions. The brute with the horned gorilla, however, bared his teeth in a wild grin.
"That's mine." He pounded his chest, gorilla roaring in tandem. "Stay out of my way, or I'll crush you before it does."
Ethan ignored him. His eyes locked on the Alpha, every nerve focused.
"Shadowfang," he whispered, raising his dagger, "let's hunt."
The wolf howled, golden fire bursting outward. Then they charged.
---
The Alpha moved like a storm. Its claw swept down, shattering stone where Ethan had stood a heartbeat before. Shadowfang leapt, claws raking across its face, sparks flying as gold met corrupted flesh.
Ethan slid under its strike, his dagger flashing as he slashed at its leg. The blade barely cut through its hide, but the bond amplified the force, and black blood sprayed.
> [Essence Damage Inflicted: +5]
The Alpha roared, the sound like a collapsing mountain.
---
Chaos consumed the arena. Lyra and her serpent fought to pin the smaller beasts that flanked their king. The brute swung his axe with raw fury, his gorilla hammering the ground until lesser monsters burst like rotten fruit.
For a moment, it looked like survival was possible.
Until it happened.
A shadow loomed behind Ethan. He spun—too late.
The brute's axe came down, not at the Alpha, but at him.
Ethan barely twisted aside. The blade carved the ground, inches from his leg.
"What the hell are you doing!?" Ethan snarled.
The brute's grin was cruel.
"Why fight fair when I can let you bleed the beast dry first? Once it's weak, I'll take your wolf… and your life."
His gorilla roared, charging.
---
Shock hit Ethan like ice water, but the bond jolted him into motion. Shadowfang intercepted the gorilla, claws clashing with fists in a thunderous impact. Sparks and blood sprayed as the two beasts collided again and again.
Ethan met the brute's gaze, rage flaring. He doesn't just want to win. He wants Shadowfang.
The brute lunged, axe swinging. Ethan blocked with his dagger, the force nearly ripping his arm from its socket. Pain shot through him, but the bond fed him Shadowfang's strength. He twisted, slashing the brute's arm. Blood sprayed, but the man only laughed.
"You think you can stop me? You're nothing, boy! Nothing but prey!"
---
The Alpha roared again, enraged by their defiance. Its claw crashed down, shattering stone between them, sending both Ethan and the brute sprawling.
Dust choked the air. Screams echoed. The beast loomed, maw opening wide, ready to devour them both.
Ethan's vision blurred. His lungs burned. But through it all, he felt Shadowfang's fire—hot, steady, unyielding.
They weren't prey.
Not anymore.
Ethan rose, dagger glowing with golden flame, Shadowfang beside him wreathed in light. The bond surged to a breaking point, Synchronization spiking.
> [Bond Synchronization: 29% → 34%]
The Alpha's jaws descended.
And Ethan charged straight into them.
---
Chapter End.
---