---
Fowad clenched his knife tightly, his knuckles white as he squared off against the lighting cheetah beast.
His breathing was ragged, his heart pounding a fierce rhythm in his chest as he stared down the big creature.
The forest around them seemed to close in, the shadows deepening, each rustle of leaves amplifying the tension in the air.
The lighting cheetah was quick, far faster than any opponent he had faced so far.
The lighting cheetah is Advanced level beast. It was only toying with Fowad.
Its sleek, spotted body crouched low to the ground, muscles coiled as it prepared to strike.
The fox spirit beast at Fowad's side growled low, its dark eyes fixed on the cheetah, though Fowad could sense its unease.
The cheetah, though big, was clearly a predator born for speed and agility, its every movement precise and deadly.
With a sudden burst of motion, the cheetah lunged forward, closing the distance between them in an instant.
Fowad barely had time to react, raising his arm to deflect the blow, but the cheetah twisted in midair,
Its claws raking down his side, leaving three deep gashes that burned as if lit by fire.
He staggered back, biting down a cry of pain, his vision blurring for a moment.
The fox beast darted forward, trying to draw the cheetah's attention, but the lighting cheetah was relentless.
It moved with a fluid grace, dodging the fox's attempts to strike, its speed almost dizzying.
Fowad watched, his mind racing as he tried to find an opening, a weakness he could exploit.
But the cheetah was relentless. It struck again, its claws flashing as it aimed for his throat.
Fowad ducked just in time, the sharp edge of the claws grazing his shoulder, tearing through fabric and flesh alike.
Pain flared through him, hot and pulsing, but he forced himself to remain focused, his gaze locked on the cheetah.
The fox lunged again, snapping its jaws, but the cheetah evaded effortlessly, its movements a blur.
Fowad's heart pounded, the pain making his limbs feel sluggish, his reflexes dulled.
He swung his knife, but the cheetah sidestepped, its body twisting as it struck his leg, sending him sprawling to the ground.
He gasped, his vision spinning as he struggled to rise.
The cheetah circled him, its eyes gleaming with a predatory hunger, its stance low and menacing.
Fowad felt a wave of frustration wash over him; he had trained, he had fought to grow stronger, and yet this creature was still beyond his reach.
With a fierce growl, he pushed himself up, gripping his knife, his gaze narrowing.
"I'm not giving up," he muttered, his voice a strained whisper.
He glanced at the fox beast, who was watching him intently, its dark eyes filled with a determination that mirrored his own.
The cheetah lunged once more, but this time Fowad was ready.
He sidestepped, twisting his body to avoid the claws, and swung his knife in a sharp arc, aiming for the creature's side.
The blade connected, grazing the cheetah's flank, drawing a thin line of blood.
It wasn't much, but it was a small victory, a sign that he could land a hit.
The cheetah let out a low growl, its body tensing as it prepared to strike again.
Fowad's pulse quickened, his mind racing as he strategized, each second feeling like an eternity.
He knew he couldn't match the cheetah in speed, but perhaps he could use its own momentum against it.
The fox beast darted forward, snapping at the lighting cheetah's legs, forcing it to adjust its position.
Fowad seized the opportunity, lunging forward with his knife, but the lighting cheetah twisted, its claws slashing across his chest.
He stumbled back, the impact knocking the breath from his lungs, pain exploding through him.
His body screamed in protest, each wound burning, his strength fading fast.
The cheetah, sensing his weakness, circled him slowly, its gaze predatory, as though savoring its impending victory.
Desperation flared within him, and Fowad's hand instinctively tightened around the rabbit bone knife.
He knew he had one last chance, one final strike before his strength would give out entirely.
The fox beast seemed to sense his resolve, positioning itself beside him, its body tense, ready to make the final push.
The lighting cheetah lunged, its claws gleaming in the faint light.
Fowad gritted his teeth, twisting his body as he drove the knife forward, aiming for the cheetah's exposed side.
The blade struck true, sinking deep into the creature's flank. The cheetah let out a furious screech, its body twisting in agony.
But before Fowad could revel in his victory, he felt a surge of energy, a dark, pulsing force that seemed to radiate from the fox beast beside him.
He turned, his eyes widening in shock as he saw a thick, black energy enveloping the fox, swirling around it like a dark mist.
The fox's body tensed, its eyes glowing with a fierce, otherworldly light as the energy seeped into its form, bolstering it with a power that felt both ancient and dangerous.
The lighting cheetah recoiled, its eyes wide with fear as it backed away, the instinctive knowledge of a stronger predator overtaking it.
It let out a low whine, retreating into the shadows with it's baby, and in moments it had vanished,
The sounds of its hurried steps growing fainter as it fled into the depths of the forest, its injured cub limping alongside.
Fowad slumped to the ground, his vision fading, his body wracked with pain.
The last thing he saw before darkness claimed him was the fox beast, standing beside him, its gaze fierce yet weary, the dark energy still pulsing faintly around it.
---
When Fowad regained consciousness, he found himself lying on a bed of moss beneath the thick canopy of trees.
His body throbbed with pain, each movement a struggle, but he forced himself to sit up, blinking against the harsh light filtering through the leaves.
The fox beast lay beside him, curled up and fast asleep, its body rising and falling with slow, even breaths.
The dark energy that had surrounded it earlier was gone, but Fowad could still feel its lingering presence, as though something ancient and powerful had brushed against his spirit.
In front of him, resting on the forest floor, was the ancient egg the same one he had seen in the ruins.
His heart raced as he stared at it, confusion clouding his mind.
How had it come to be here? Had it followed him from the ruins, and if so, why?
A faint voice echoed in his mind, cold and commanding, filling the air with an unnatural presence.
"You were lucky, boy," the voice said, its tone tinged with disdain.
"If it weren't for my own safety, I would not have intervened earlier."
Fowad's eyes widened, his gaze fixed on the egg.
The voice seemed to emanate from within, as though the ancient spirit within the egg was speaking directly into his mind.
"Who… what are you?" Fowad managed to ask, his voice barely above a whisper.
The egg seemed to pulse, a faint glow emanating from its cracked surface.
"I am far beyond your comprehension, boy," it replied, its tone both weary and powerful.
"But know this: your recklessness nearly cost us both.
Now, thanks to you, I am drained, my energy depleted.
I will need decades to fully recuperate."
Fowad stared, bewildered. "Recuperate? But… how did you even get here?
Weren't you… dead?"
A dry, humorless laugh echoed in his mind. "Dead? Foolish child.
I was simply lying dormant, biding my time.
I had disguised myself as a collar for that small fox of yours to avoid detection."
The egg's tone shifted, a sharp edge entering its voice. "You owe me your life, boy."
The words struck Fowad like a physical blow, and he felt a surge of gratitude mingled with confusion.
This ancient spirit Beast had saved him, had intervened when he had been on the brink of death.
But its tone was harsh, commanding, not at all like the wise protectors he had imagined from his father's tales.
The egg continued, its voice softer now, though still tinged with that strange, ancient authority.
"I witnessed your father's final words. You have potential, boy, but you are far from ready.
I will offer you a chance a chance to gain my legacy, to grow stronger, but only if you aid me in my own recovery."
Fowad's pulse quickened, his mind racing as he considered the offer. The idea of gaining strength, of finally achieving the power he needed to fulfill his father's dying wish, was almost too good to resist.
"Yes," he said, his voice firm with newfound resolve. "I'll help you."
The egg's pulse grew brighter, as though pleased with his answer.
"Good. Then heed my words. Trust no one easily. The world is filled with those who would seek to take advantage of you.
You are too innocent, you need to be ruthless if you want to complete your father wish...
---