The battlefield stretched far and wide, a warzone littered with shattered earth and the bodies of those too weak to endure. Above me, two cursed winged sabretooth tigers, Master-ranked predators, circled with predatory intent. Their obsidian wings, veined with glowing crimson, cut through the ashen sky like blades, and their guttural roars echoed, mingling with the distant clamor of smaller skirmishes.
On the edges of the battlefield, low-ranked cursed tigers clashed with colonies of evolved ants. The ants swarmed relentlessly, their exoskeletons glinting like obsidian armor as they attacked the cursed beasts. Each ant struck with the precision of a soldier, biting through fur and flesh. The cursed tigers retaliated savagely, their claws and venomous fangs cutting through the swarms, but the sheer numbers overwhelmed even the most feral of their kind.
In the midst of this chaos, I stood as the epicenter, a behemoth of ancient power, facing the last two threats capable of challenging my dominion. My wounds, though shallow, stung with every move, a reminder of my own mortality despite my strength.
The first tiger dove at me with reckless aggression, its wings flaring as its momentum grew. A roar escaped its maw, carrying a vibration that unsettled the air itself—a primal call meant to unsettle lesser foes.
"Dragon's Fear."
I met its challenge, releasing my own roar, a sound that silenced the battlefield for a brief, potent moment. The ants and cursed tigers paused, instinct forcing them to acknowledge the apex predator. Even the master-ranked tigers flinched, their wings twitching involuntarily.
But they recovered quickly, their cursed natures burning brighter as they fought against their instincts. The first tiger adjusted its dive, twisting mid-air to aim for my exposed flank. It was quick, its claws igniting with cursed energy as it attacked.
I anticipated its move. My claws dug into the ground, summoning a sudden defensive construct.
"Earth Wall."
The stone barrier erupted between us, its rough surface forcing the tiger to veer sharply. Its claws scraped against the barrier, leaving deep grooves, but its attack faltered.
The second tiger, circling high above, didn't waste the opportunity. It dove with precision, using the distraction of its partner to target my exposed back.
I twisted at the last moment, my tail lashing out in a sweeping arc.
"Tail Strike."
The blow connected with the second tiger, the force of the impact hurling it into a cluster of jagged stones. It yelped in pain as the rocks shattered beneath it, but its cursed body absorbed much of the force. Even so, the attack had slowed it, forcing it to recalibrate its approach.
The first tiger, undeterred, launched itself over the crumbled wall. Its claws glowed faintly with cursed energy as it slashed at my side, leaving shallow gouges. The pain flared but did not deter me. I retaliated immediately, my claws raking across its chest, leaving gaping wounds that seeped with dark blood.
The skirmishes on the periphery grew more chaotic. The ants had begun to overwhelm some of the lower-ranked cursed tigers. Groups of six or seven ants swarmed individual predators, dragging them down and tearing through their flesh with relentless efficiency. The cries of dying beasts filled the air, a cacophony of suffering that underscored the primal violence of this battlefield.
Yet, for every cursed tiger that fell, two ants were crushed beneath claws or fangs. The balance teetered on the edge, a savage display of survival and destruction.
The first tiger backed off, its movements slowing as the wounds on its chest deepened. Its crimson eyes glared at me with unrelenting fury, and it crouched low, its wings folding tightly against its body. I recognized the stance—it was preparing for a decisive strike.
The second tiger, having regained its footing, joined its companion. The two communicated silently, their movements synchronized as they began circling me in opposite directions.
They were attempting to flank me.
I planted my feet firmly, my claws digging into the earth as I summoned my power.
"Earth Spires."
Jagged stone pillars erupted around me, forming a ring of deadly obstructions. The first tiger darted through the spires with astonishing agility, its cursed wings folding tightly against its body as it weaved through the maze of stone.
I waited, watching its movements carefully. It was quick, but its desperation was growing. Its attacks had lost the sharp precision they carried at the beginning of the fight.
The second tiger, however, hovered above the spires, searching for an opening. It had learned from its earlier mistake, keeping its distance as it waited for its moment to strike.
The first tiger lunged at me, its claws extended for a final, reckless attack.
I feigned vulnerability, lowering my stance and exposing my neck. The tiger took the bait, leaping directly toward me.
"Dragon's Maw."
My jaws closed around its wing with devastating force. The brittle bones cracked and shattered under the pressure, and the tiger howled in agony. Blood sprayed across the battlefield as I twisted my head, tearing the wing free from its body.
The tiger collapsed to the ground, its movements sluggish as blood loss and pain took their toll.
The second tiger roared in fury, diving toward me with a renewed ferocity. Its claws ignited with cursed energy, and its speed was blinding.
I turned to meet it, summoning a pillar of stone beneath its path.
"Earth Pillar Strike."
The tiger was launched skyward, its momentum disrupted as the pillar struck it squarely in the chest. It crashed to the ground moments later, coughing blood but still alive.
The first tiger, crippled and bleeding out, made one last desperate attempt to attack. It lunged at me with all its remaining strength, aiming for my throat.
I shifted my stance, my tail whipping forward in a decisive arc.
"Tail Strike."
The impact crushed its spine, the force of the blow shattering bone and cutting its life short. Its body crumpled to the ground, lifeless.
The second tiger rose unsteadily, its crimson eyes blazing with hatred. Its body trembled from the injuries it had sustained, but it refused to retreat.
I could feel the fatigue in my own limbs, my earlier injuries slowing me down. But I stood tall, ready to face the last threat to my domain.
The battlefield was quiet but not silent—the echoes of distant battles still carried on the wind. The ants and cursed tigers continued their savage struggle, their fates mirroring the battle of titans at the center.
This was not over yet.