In that moment he had taken a basic sword stance as he focused completely on finding the stalker before a sense of danger suddenly appeared from behind him!
Instantly he turned around swinging the blade in his hand at the beast as a large claw slammed into his chest sending him flying backwards!
He was forcibly pushed into the woods as he slams through a thick tree before landing on his feet skidding across the ground coughing heavily.
'It was heavier then I thought! If I wasn't protected just now it's paw would have went straight through my chest!'
When he looked at the beast who had paused for the moment he could see a cut had appeared across the panther like creatures arm but the bleeding had already stopped.
The beast now eyed the boy wearily as it notices the minimal damage it had done to him. With a step it became a blur disappearing once more leaving Ryder to sit and wait once more.
'It has to be Spirit Grade! It was analyzing my reaction to its attack… the look in its eye is way to intelligent for it to not be a spirit grade!'
He clicked his tongue before placing his back to the thickest tree he could find. Though he knew it wouldn't protect much he still was starting to incentivize it to attack him from the front.
A minute passed without a sound, the tension had been building within Ryder as he anticipates the attack.
'Come on you bastard…'
After another couple moments he felt more danger then ever from behind him! He immediately jumped digging into the tree with his claws as wood splinters and large chunks of wood went flying into the forest as the image of 2 beasts similar in size and shape appeared before becoming a blur disappearing once again.
"What!? There are two of them!"
As the tree was falling over goosebumps covered his body. This time he was ready, he had positioned the sword behind him making it easier to catch the beast as he rolled backwards slashing across its underbelly as it disappeared once more.
'Tch, it was too shallow!'
He didn't have a chance to rest now, with the beasts taking advantage of his awful footing he was forced to dance along the falling log as he avoids the large cats.
Both cats had been covered in shallow cuts but Ryder wasn't any better. Even though the barrier was constantly repairing itself the attacks were too fast and too numerous! By the time the log had hit the ground Ryder already had many cuts on his arms legs and chest.
'Even though I can some what keep up with them right now this is getting me no where fast! I need to set the pace!'
He used a claw to carve into the wood below him a sing rune before jumping away. Instantly a claw appeared where he was before a burst of light erupted out from the carving cooking the cats underbelly as it ran away from the light before vanishing.
'Light hurts doesn't it? You want to bring in another beast then don't blame me for using your weaknesses against you!'
These beasts had been born with a darkness affinity making them very powerful when it comes to sneaking or ambushes. The only downside was light, any form of light would burn these creatures as if they were hit with a fireball directly!
Sounds of metal getting scrapped could be heard as Ryder deflects the claw of the second beast he landed on the tree carving another rune while jumping back avoiding another claw!
'This is really too close!'
This time the beast hadn't disappeared after its attack. Instead it began to throw a barrage of strikes only to have its belly and hind legs burned by his rune.
RRAAAAAAGHHHH!
It had roared out in pain as Ryder goes on the offensive! His Mental power swiftly surrounded his sword as the same rune of light appears making the ordinary blade look like a shining holy sword!
Out of fear it took a step back only to have its legs falter! It had been burned severely to the point it could hardly walk. Using this chance Ryder swung his blade at the beast only to feel another buzz coming from behind!
Immediately he jumped towards the more injured stalker stabbing at it as he was struck in the back with the second ones claws!
Both of them coughed up spit and blood as Ryder was sent flying into the beast making them both fall to the ground with his sword impaled in the creatures chest!
Another loud roar could be heard throughout the area but the moment they hit the ground those roars turned into a whimper before the sounds stopped completely.
1 of the stalkers had died as the sword burns its insides. From above he noticed the second stalker latching onto the tree seemingly stunned about what happened.
Ryder was out of breath, he got the wind knocked out of him only to start coughing up more blood onto the dead stalker.
A white flame appeared on its forehead before shooting into Ryder's body before turning to face the next one.
The stunned beast seemed to be looking at the body of its partner not moving. When Ryder got a good look at the beast he realized it had tears in its eyes some streamed down to stain its fur as it disappeared clearly sad and angry at the situation.
At first Ryder prepared himself for another attack but something was wrong. A minute had passed, then 2, then 5 until a full 15 minutes went by without the beast showing its face.
"What happened? Where is the beast?"
"Why are you standing there like that? You bleeding the stalker or something? The other one isn't here anymore, she left the moment she vanished"
"Wha!? Why didn't you tell me that!"
"I wanted to see how long it would take you to realize. She's already gone back to the cave, hurry up and store the body we will go in"
Now Ryder just felt stupid standing there waiting for an attack that would never come.
Pushing those feelings aside the body soon vanished under him as he ran towards the mountain.
"I wonder why it would come back here… it has to know I already know where the entrance is right? I literally saw one walk out"
When he went into the some what large cave he saw a hallway of sorts leading deeper into the cave. When he got to the room at the end of the cave he saw a panther licking her wounds as she tries and picks up a cub with her mouth ready to bite into it.
Seeing the human walk in she tried to bite down only to see a golden wolf appear at the last second swatting it away as Cain caught the pup.
"Damn women, you tried to kill your offspring just because you didn't want a lowly human to decide their fate? I should devour you for your ruthlessness but that is not my decision"
Ryder was stunned at this, he couldn't believe that Cain would stop the stalker and even get angry at its decision.
'What is this? This isn't a trick right? The ruthless and heartless beast that would eat this entire planet if he could is showing compassion for those pups? Don't tell me… does he have some kind of trauma? Or is he like those people who adore children? This is so confusing…'
The stalker began to become a blur once more as it growled at the new enemy.
Ryder blocked the exit, he didn't want the beast to get away but now that he had seen the pups he was hesitant to keep fighting.
"Boy! Get it together! Even if you don't want to fight this is just a beast with a little bit of intelligence! Did you not just see what she was trying to do! Get ready!"
Cain yelled out as he pounced towards the opposite side of the pups slamming his paw into the invisible stalker sending it flying backwards before slamming into the cave wall.
"Don't even think about being able to kill these kids while I'm here! You try again and I won't hesitate to rip your throat out! Your fight is with him!"
Cain pointed towards Ryder as he protects the pups that haven't even fully opened their eyes yet.
Looking at Cain the stalker realized she had no way to defeat this beast. Though with its words she had a hint of understanding as she looked to Ryder who had a conflicted look on his face.
"Honestly if you can understand me I would much rather we not fight… but if you push me I will send you to your next life with your partner…"
He didn't get on all fours the entire fight, he wanted to polish his swordsmanship as much as he could to catch up with his other style but now he was getting serious.
The feeling coming from Ryder changed drastically. Instead of the soft attitude that he exuded moments earlier his emotions took a turn changing as he released a wave of bloodlust making his hunger grow as he looked towards stalker.
Stalker soon disappeared from view signifying the start of the battle!
'Fine, let's end this as quickly as possible!'