It was a cat-like beast towering over two meters tall, with fur as black as the darkest night. Its eyes glowed an eerie red, casting a menacing light that sent shivers down my spine. The beast's fangs were at least ten centimeters long, each one sharp enough to crush a human skull with a single bite. Its claws were equally terrifying, looking as if they could rip me to shreds with one swipe of its enormous paws. The creature stood there, crouching low, its eyes locked onto me as if I were its prey.
At that moment, a wave of fear washed over me, paralyzing my entire body. This creature was far larger and more intimidating than the one I had encountered before. At least with that other beast, I had felt a glimmer of hope, a chance to fight back. But with this monstrous cat, I instinctively knew that I stood no chance at all—neither my magic nor my physical capabilities would be enough to save me.
I tried to back away slowly, but the beast let out a low, rumbling growl, a clear warning that any sudden movement would be my last. My heart pounded in my chest like a war drum, and sweat trickled down my back. I was trapped, with no escape in sight. Even if I tried to use my fire magic, I doubted it would have any effect on this formidable creature.
But then, as I stood there frozen in fear, I began to notice something peculiar. We had been locked in this tense stalemate for too long. Why hadn't it attacked me yet? It almost seemed as if the beast was warning me, not to approach rather than preparing to pounce.
Curiosity overtook my fear, and I cautiously scanned the creature for any signs of weakness. That's when I saw it—a huge gash on its left side, oozing dark blood. The wound looked deep and fresh, as if inflicted by another powerful creature. The realization dawned on me: the beast was injured. Perhaps it saw me not as prey, but as a potential threat to its vulnerable state.
I weighed my options carefully. Should I let it go, leaving it to possibly attack me in the future once it healed? Or should I take advantage of its weakened state and kill it now to prevent any future danger? The decision didn't take long.
"Let's kill it," I muttered under my breath, my voice barely a whisper in the tense silence.
With determination, I conjured a magic flame, molding it into a small, concentrated sphere. I kept the fire hidden in my palm, careful not to agitate the beast. My plan was to catch it off guard, striking when it least expected it.
The beast's glowing red eyes never left mine, and I could feel its intense gaze boring into me. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. The magic flame in my hand flickered with energy, ready to be unleashed. I just needed the right moment to strike.
As I waited, the seconds stretched into an eternity. The forest around us seemed to hold its breath, the usual sounds of rustling leaves and distant animal calls silenced by the tension of our standoff. My mind raced with thoughts of survival, of overcoming this deadly obstacle in my path.
The beast shifted slightly, wincing in pain from its wound. This was my chance. I focused all my energy into the flame, feeling its heat grow more intense, more powerful. With a swift motion, I launched the fireball toward the beast's injured side.
The flame struck true, igniting the fur around the wound and causing the beast to roar in agony. It reared back, its claws slashing through the air as it tried to extinguish the fire. I didn't wait to see if the flame would finish the job. I conjured another fireball, hurling it with all my might.
The second flame hit the mark, and the beast's roars grew weaker. It stumbled, struggling to stay on its feet. Finally, with a final, desperate cry, it collapsed to the ground, the flames consuming its body.
I stood there, panting, my heart still racing. The air was thick with the smell of burning fur and flesh, and the forest seemed to slowly come back to life around me. I had done it. I had faced a formidable foe and emerged victorious.
But as the adrenaline began to fade, I realized the gravity of what I had just done. The beast's glowing red eyes, now dimmed in death, seemed to haunt me. Had I made the right choice? Or had I just set in motion a series of events that would lead to even greater dangers?
One thing was certain: I needed to get stronger. The forest was full of threats, and I couldn't rely on luck and desperation to survive. I had to master my magic, hone my skills