Today had to be the day everything went wrong. The terrain had been shifting subtly for weeks—small changes here and there, like someone playing with the settings of a map. Usually, it was manageable, even predictable. But today?
Today, the world decided to roll the dice.
Massive upheavals carved out new features in the land. Entire ridges were flattened, and deep chasms appeared out of nowhere. What caught my eye most was the river—a shimmering vein of water cutting through the jungle, its pristine flow winding dangerously close to the Fire Ants' territory.
Water. Accessible. Usable. Perfect.
I wanted to celebrate, maybe even gloat. A reliable water source this close to the base? This wasn't just convenient; it was a strategic goldmine. But of course, fate wasn't about to let me have this one.
It started with a roar, low and guttural, like the earth itself was growling.
I froze, every instinct screaming at me to retreat. Then I saw them.
Not one. Not two.
Five.
Massive winged tigers prowled toward the Fire Ants' territory. Each one was as large as the Earth Dragon, their muscles rippling under fur as white as snow and streaked with black stripes. Their two pairs of massive wings stretched like banners of death, and their glowing eyes burned with unnatural energy. The sabertooth-like fangs protruding from their mouths completed the image of predatory perfection.
I cursed under my breath and activated Analyze, already dreading what I'd find.
{Cursed Sabertooth Tigers}
{Rank: D- (E/D)}
{Description: Predators mutated by demonic energy. Their roars shatter minds, their blue flames incinerate flesh, and their venom ensures slow, agonizing death.
{Skills: Supersonic Roar, Blue Flames, Venomous Bite}
It wasn't just them, either. A swarm of lesser kin followed close behind, their growls and snarls filling the air like a symphony of chaos.
"Every time," I muttered. "Every damn time something good happens, something worse comes along to balance it out."
I gritted my teeth, biting back another string of curses. This had to be my Fated attribute again. The thing was as much a curse as it was a blessing. Good luck? Sure. But bad luck always followed close behind, like a shadow I couldn't shake.
"This is your doing, isn't it?" I growled at the universe. "You just can't let me have one nice thing, can you?"
The roar of the tigers brought me back to reality. I activated my possession state, feeling the rush of energy as Nibbles fused into me. His light aura coursed through my veins, sharpening my senses and bolstering my reflexes.
Zainab slithered up beside me, her massive form towering over me like a living fortress. Her twelve heads swayed and hissed, their golden eyes locking onto the approaching threat.
"This is bad," she muttered, her central head turning toward me. "What do we do?"
I glanced at her, then back at the battlefield. My mind raced, weighing options and calculating risks. Fleeing wasn't one of them. We couldn't afford to abandon the Fire Ants or this territory. But charging in recklessly would only lead to unnecessary losses.
"We think," I said, my tone sharp. "We adapt. The goal is to handle this with as few casualties as possible."
Zainab's heads hissed in unison, her agitation palpable. "If we fail, we all die."
"We're not failing," I snapped.
The Fire Ants were already reacting, their formations shifting with military precision. The soldier ants formed a wall, their massive mandibles clacking in unison, while the workers retreated into the nest to protect the queen. Scouts darted around the edges, relaying information through their pheromones.
It was almost beautiful, the way they moved with such cohesion. I found myself envying them. Humans could never achieve this level of unity. Not without years of training.
"Even insects are better organized than us," I muttered.
"What was that?" Zainab asked, her tone sharp.
"Nothing." I shook my head. "Focus."
The Earth Dragon emerged from its lair, its massive form casting a long shadow over the battlefield. Smoke curled from its nostrils, and its molten eyes burned with a fierce light.
"They dare," it rumbled, its voice deep and resonant. "They come to challenge me?"
"Do you think you can take them?" I asked cautiously.
The Dragon snorted, sending a plume of smoke into the air. "They are but prey."
Zainab's central head twisted to glare at the Dragon. "Arrogance will get you killed. Those creatures aren't ordinary."
The Dragon turned its molten gaze on her, a low growl rumbling in its chest. "And you, hydra, should learn your place. I do not fall to lesser beings."
"Enough," I snapped, cutting off their brewing argument. "We don't have time for this. Focus on the tigers."
Zainab hissed softly, her heads swaying in agitation. "If you die, Dragon, I'll enjoy devouring what's left of you."
The Earth Dragon growled again but said nothing, its attention returning to the battlefield.
The first of the winged tigers stepped forward, its massive form radiating an aura of malice. Its glowing eyes locked onto the Fire Ant soldiers, and it let out a roar that shook the ground beneath us.
The soldier ants didn't falter. They held their ground, their mandibles snapping in defiance. One of them charged, its massive form slamming into the tiger with enough force to knock it back a step.
The tiger retaliated with a swipe of its claws, carving deep into the ant's carapace. The soldier staggered but didn't fall, instead lunging forward to clamp its mandibles around the tiger's throat.
The tiger roared again, its body erupting in flames. The ant was engulfed, its carapace blackening under the intense heat, but it didn't let go. Even as it burned, it held on, its mandibles crushing the tiger's throat with relentless force.
"Brave," I muttered. "But not enough."
The tiger finally broke free, leaving the soldier ant charred and lifeless.
"They won't last," Zainab said, her tone grim.
I nodded, gripping my spear tightly. "We'll have to step in soon. The Dragon can handle the big ones, but we need to minimize the lesser tigers' impact."
"And if the Dragon fails?" Zainab asked.
I smirked, though it didn't reach my eyes. "Then we improvise."
The Earth Dragon roared, its molten eyes locked onto the sabertooths. "They will not survive this day."
I glanced at Zainab. "Let's hope it's right."
She hissed softly, her heads nodding in unison. "Let's."
The battle raged on, and the Fire Ants fought valiantly. But for every tiger they brought down, another seemed to take its place. The cursed sabertooths were watching, waiting, their predatory gazes fixed on the unfolding carnage.
This wasn't going to be easy. But then, nothing ever was.