Pyris ventured deeper into Blackscale Grove, the forest shifting around him, almost alive in its malice. The air grew warmer, heavier, and the once-faint rustling of the wind was replaced by a new sound—a low, guttural growl.
His pulse quickened, instincts screaming that something was coming.
From the dense underbrush emerged a beast unlike the others—a Blood Wolf, its dark red fur stained with the blood of countless victims.
It moved like a predator with purpose, its crimson eyes locking onto Pyris with unsettling intelligence. The air around the wolf shimmered with raw, oppressive blood magic.
"Of course it's blood magic," Pyris muttered under his breath, gripping the hilt of his sword. "Because things weren't already bad enough."
[Well, you wanted a challenge, didn't you?] Lia chimed in, her voice filled with a teasing edge. [This should be fun to watch.]
The Blood Wolf let out a guttural snarl and charged. Its speed caught Pyris off guard—it was much faster than the corrupted beasts he'd faced earlier. Pyris raised his hand, summoning the earth element, hoping to create barriers and traps. The ground shifted, but his control was shaky. The wolf easily evaded the hastily formed walls of stone, darting through the gaps with deadly precision.
This one was a tricky one, although a rank 4 like the beast he just slain, the Blood Wolf was in a slightly different league!
It's aura alone induced fear in it's target!
[Try harder, Pyris! It's not going to wait for you to figure it out!] Lia shouted, her voice sharp with urgency.
The wolf leaped, claws extended, and Pyris barely managed to raise a gust of wind to propel himself sideways, avoiding the attack by inches. He gritted his teeth, his heart racing as the beast circled back, its blood magic forming deadly crimson barriers around them. Pyris could feel the oppressive energy closing in, each barrier flickering with lethal intent.
"Okay, this thing is way too fast," Pyris gasped, trying to regain his footing. He swung his sword, calling on his shadow element to create a field of darkness. Tendrils of shadow spread out, attempting to obscure the wolf's vision, but the beast's sharp senses allowed it to navigate the darkness with ease.
Pyris cursed under his breath.
The Blood Wolf lunged again, and this time, Pyris wasn't quick enough. The beast's claws raked across his side, sending him sprawling into the dirt. Pain flared through his body, and the taste of blood filled his mouth.
[Get up, Pyris! It's not over!] Lia's voice was a mixture of concern and command.
Pyris groaned, rolling to the side as the wolf pounced again, narrowly missing him. His mind raced, and his body screamed in protest, but he forced himself to his feet. His fingers tightened around the hilt of his sword as he summoned both fire and earth, combining them into a searing, molten trap.
The ground beneath the Blood Wolf glowed with heat, and the beast yelped as its paws sank into the molten rock.
[Now!] Lia urged.
Pyris didn't hesitate. He called on the blood element, channeling its energy through his veins. He could feel the wolf's vitality pulsing, and with a surge of focus, he began draining it, the death element following suit. The Blood Wolf's strength faltered, its crimson eyes dulling as its life force was sapped.
With a final, agonized howl, the wolf collapsed into the molten earth, its body searing and fading away. Pyris stood over its remains, panting, the adrenaline still coursing through his veins. His hands trembled as he activated Essence Devouring, drawing in the last remnants of the beast's corrupted energy.
[That was close,] Lia's voice broke the silence, softer this time. [You're improving, but the Grove won't go easy on you.]
"I barely made it," Pyris admitted, wincing as the pain in his side flared again. He pressed a hand to the wound, using a bit of healing magic to stop the bleeding.
[Each beast is different,] Lia continued, her tone more serious. [They have different strengths, weaknesses. You can't rely on one element every time. Adapt, Pyris. That's how you survive here.]
Pyris nodded, exhausted but more determined than ever.
_____
As the day wore on, Pyris found a small clearing in the Grove. Exhaustion had settled deep in his bones, and his side throbbed from the wound left by the Blood Wolf. He used his fire element to light a small campfire, its warmth a welcome respite from the dark chill that surrounded him.
The meat he had gathered from earlier beasts was tough and gamey, but he ate in silence, grateful for the sustenance.
He was experiencing the life of an ordinary awakened!
[Rest while you can,] Lia advised, her voice more gentle now. [You've had a hard day. Use this time to reflect, recover. Tomorrow, the Grove won't give you a break.]
Pyris sat by the fire, his thoughts drifting as he stared into the flickering flames. His body ached, but his mind buzzed with the events of the day. He had survived, yes—but barely. He knew he was improving, but the gap between where he was and where he needed to be felt insurmountable.
"I've fought well today," Pyris said aloud, the words hanging in the quiet air. "But I have a lot to learn."
[You've done more than well,] Lia agreed. [You've climbed from Rank 4 to Rank 5, and you're close to Rank 6. Your soul power is increasing. You're becoming more connected to the elements. But remember, the Grove will push you harder as you grow stronger.]
Pyris nodded slowly, fatigue pulling at his limbs. "I need better control. My combinations are too weak, too clumsy."
[That's something only practice will fix,] Lia replied. [Each fight teaches you something new. Keep pushing yourself, and you'll get there. Just be smart about it.]
Pyris finished his meal and leaned back against a tree, his body heavy with exhaustion. The essence he had absorbed from the beasts coursed through him, fueling his magic. He could feel it, the growing power deep inside, waiting to be unleashed.
____
The next morning, Pyris ventured deeper into the Grove, his steps more cautious now. The air grew colder, the shadows deeper. His instincts screamed that something powerful lay ahead. Suddenly, the ground trembled beneath his feet, and from the darkness emerged a creature of nightmare—a Shadow Behemoth.
It stood taller than any beast Pyris had ever faced, its massive form blending with the shadows of the forest. Its red, glowing eyes narrowed on him, and the air seemed to thicken with malevolent energy.
"That thing looks… impossible," Pyris whispered, his pulse racing.
A rank 6 beast, and it wasn't your usual rank 6
[It's not,] Lia's voice was calm but tense. [But this is going to test everything you've learned. You can't beat it with brute strength alone. Use your elements—use your mind.]
The Behemoth let out a deafening roar, and the shadows around it rippled and surged forward, waves of darkness distorting the very air. Pyris immediately called on the time element, slowing the world around him just enough to dodge the incoming wave of energy.
[Good start,] Lia remarked. [But you can't stay in one place for long. Keep moving!]
Pyris activated his superspeed, his body becoming a blur as he darted around the Behemoth, trying to find an opening. The creature lashed out with massive, shadowy claws, but Pyris dodged each strike, his movements swift and precise.
He used the space element to shift between positions, blinking from one spot to another, staying just out of reach of the Behemoth's crushing blows. But even with his speed and agility, the creature was relentless, its shadow attacks distorting reality itself.
"It's too strong!" Pyris gasped, narrowly avoiding another wave of dark energy.
[No, you're just not hitting hard enough. Combine your elements, Pyris! You have the power!] Lia urged, her voice filled with intensity.
Pyris gritted his teeth, feeling the adrenaline course through him. He tapped into both blood and darkness, letting the raw, primal energy flow through him. His blood pulsed with strength as he summoned a massive wave of shadow energy, aiming it directly at the Behemoth's core.
The creature staggered, but it didn't fall. It roared again, and the ground shook as pillars of darkness shot up around Pyris, trying to trap him. But he was already moving, blinking through space to avoid the deadly onslaught.
"Now, Pyris! Use everything!" Lia's voice cut through the chaos.
******
This Chapter is specially dedicated to @Ethan_Aranda, thanks for the support!! 🙂 🙂 People like you motivate us authors to keep pushing!!