The atmosphere among Xavier and the team was a blend of weariness and anticipation as they waited for the handymen to finish harvesting the remains of the fallen King boars. Conversations murmured among the group, a mix of casual banter and speculation about their next move.
Xavier, eager to ensure they were ready for their next task, turned to Garret and inquired about their upcoming journey.
"So, when do we move on to the next location?"
Garret glanced around at the ongoing work of the handymen, assessing the situation.
"Well, typically we'd move on swiftly, but with only four of us here, we've got to wait until the harvesting is done. Can't leave until we're all accounted for."
Before they could delve deeper into their discussion, a low, ominous growling sound reverberated through the air. The group's chatter ceased abruptly as every head turned in the direction of the unsettling noise.
Their collective gaze fell upon a peculiar sight, a beast, unlike any they had encountered before, slowly creeping towards them. Its appearance was grotesque and unsettling, shrouded by long, unkempt human-like hair that obscured its facial features from view. The creature moved on all fours, its limbs unnaturally elongated, revealing gory sinews and muscles that seemed to stretch beyond their natural limits.
Despite its eerie appearance, the creature moved sluggishly, as if each step was a laborious effort. Its blood-red eyes glowed with an otherworldly intensity beneath the curtain of tangled hair, emanating an unsettling aura that sent shivers down Xavier's spine.
The beast's presence evoked a sense of terror that surpassed any Xavier had felt before. The forest around them seemed to hush as if the very trees held their breath in anticipation of the creature's intentions.
Xavier's heartbeat quickened, and an icy chill crawled down his spine. He exchanged wary glances with his teammates, sensing the shared unease that permeated the air. Though the creature did not exhibit overt aggression, its uncanny appearance and eerie movements sent an instinctual warning to the hunters, urging caution and vigilance.
As the tense silence enveloped the group, a sense of dread thickened the air. Garrett, usually composed and steadfast, took a step back, his features drained of color. His voice quivered slightly as he uttered, "This... this is a grade two beast, the Hairstalker."
The realization sent a ripple of shock through the team. Xavier's eyes widened, his heart racing with an uneasiness that crawled beneath his skin. Grade two beasts were a league above their usual adversaries, creatures that demanded a higher level of skill and power to confront.
"How is this possible?" Garrett's voice cracked with a mixture of fear and disbelief. "This area is meant to host only grade one beasts."
Felix, his brow furrowing in concern, observed the creature's blood-streaked limbs with a sense of foreboding. "It must have newly evolved," he muttered, his voice tinged with a solemn tone.
Garrett nodded silently, his usual confidence replaced by a deep frown etched onto his face. The revelation of a grade two beast in their midst heightened the tension, painting an uncertain and perilous situation.
Xavier's mind raced with conflicting thoughts. Fear clawed at him, urging an immediate escape, but his lips remained sealed. Memories of past loss and the potential for tragedy loomed in his mind, echoing the haunting specter of his friend Travis' demise.
"We should run," Xavier's voice quivered with urgency, but his suggestion was met with a collective sense of helplessness.
Aria, her attempts to conceal her fear evident in the tightening of her jaw, voiced a grim reality. "We can't outrun a grade-two beast. Our only chance is that it's still newly evolved."
Xavier's heart sank at the stark assessment. A surge of protest swirled within him, the desire to flee battling against the paralyzing fear of history repeating itself. Despite his inner turmoil, he couldn't bring himself to voice his opposition.
In the eerie stillness of the forest, the Hairstalker's movements defied all natural laws. Its elongated limbs twisted and contorted in unnatural angles, and its head rotated in ways that no human anatomy should allow. The tangled mass of hair that obscured its features swayed ominously as the creature's chilling gaze fixated past the hunters, settling on Xavier and the team.
A sudden, bone-chilling cry echoed through the forest, causing a surge of panic among the hunters. Garrett, usually composed, let out a startled scream, his instincts screaming at him to act. Without hesitation, he charged forward, bellowing orders to the handymen to retreat immediately, his voice filled with urgency and fear.
With a thunderous thud, Garrett leaped into the air, his strong fingers wrapping around the hilt of his saber as he descended. But in a baffling turn of events, as he landed, his feet met an empty space. The ground beneath him shattered, creating a minor shockwave that rippled through the forest, but the enemy had vanished.
Garrett's eyes narrowed, and his senses heightened as he heard the faintest sound of a broken twig nearby. Reacting swiftly, he swung his saber to the side just as the Hairstalker materialized from the shadows, hurtling towards him with terrifying speed.
The beast clashed with Garrett's saber, its claws smashing into the weapon with a force that sent reverberations through the air. For a fleeting moment, it seemed as though Garrett, known for his Herculean strength, would hold his ground against the monstrous force.
But the reality was starkly different.
Despite his unwavering stance, the sheer strength of the grade-two beast proved overwhelming. With an abrupt, brutal force, Garrett was knocked off his feet, his body sent hurtling through the air before crashing to the ground. The impact was brutal, sending ripples of shock and disbelief through Xavier and the rest of the team.
The hunters stood frozen in shock, their hearts pounding in their chests as they witnessed the unthinkable. Garrett, the epitome of strength and resilience, lay sprawled on the forest floor, stunned by the ferocity of the Hairstalker's assault. The realization that even their most stalwart comrade was no match for the insidious power of a grade-two beast struck fear into their hearts, leaving them paralyzed with a sense of dread and helplessness.
The battlefield was fraught with tension, the air thick with the clash of lightsabers and the crackle of energy. Garrett, locked in a fierce duel, made a sudden misstep. His foot slipped on a loose stone, sending him tumbling to the ground. The impact jarred through his body, gravel biting into his palms as he rolled helplessly, his lightsaber spinning away from his grasp.
A sharp grunt escaped Garrett's lips as pain surged through him. He attempted to rise, determination etched on his face, but before he could gather his bearings, the deafening descent of the Hairstalker shattered the moment. The beast landed heavily on Garrett's back with an earth-shaking force.
Aria and Felix, witnesses to this sudden turn, froze in shock and fear. The collision emitted a sickening sound, a bone-shattering cacophony that echoed across the battleground. Garrett's agonized cry pierced the chaos as the weight of the beast bore down upon him, immobilizing him completely.
Aria's heart raced, adrenaline pumping through her veins as she rushed toward the scene, her mind racing for a way to help. Felix, wide-eyed, took a step back, momentarily stunned by the abruptness and violence of the attack. The battle around them seemed to fade into the background, the focus now solely on Garrett's desperate struggle beneath the monstrous creature.