The grove exploded into chaos as Merrik's shadow beast lunged. Its claws struck the ground with a force that sent dirt and debris flying, and Kael barely managed to leap aside in time. The phoenix chick darted around the beast, its flames searing through the night, but the creature's dark hide seemed to absorb the fire, dimming it.
Merrik laughed from the sidelines, his sword resting casually on his shoulder. "Your little bird might have spirit, boy, but spirit alone won't save you."
Kael clenched his fists, reaching out through the bond. The phoenix's determination surged in response, and Kael felt its warmth in his chest. Together, they launched another attack. Kael raised his hand, drawing on the phoenix's energy to summon a jet of golden fire that lit up the grove.
The shadow beast roared as the flames struck, and for a moment, Kael thought they'd gained the upper hand. But the beast recovered swiftly, its claws raking across the ground as it charged again.
"Think, Kael!" Thane's voice rang out above the din of battle. He was locked in combat with two other hunters, his movements fluid and deadly. "Fire won't work against that thing! You need to outsmart it!"
Kael dodged another swipe, his mind racing. Outsmart it? How?
---
A Test of Wits
Kael's gaze darted around the grove, searching for anything he could use. The ground was uneven, littered with rocks and roots. The trees loomed overhead, their branches tangled and thick. An idea began to form in his mind, and he called out to the phoenix through the bond.
The phoenix trilled in understanding, its flames dimming as it flew higher, circling the shadow beast from above. Kael darted to the side, drawing the creature's attention with a shout.
"Come on!" he yelled, waving his arms. "You want me? Come and get me!"
The shadow beast roared and lunged after him, its massive form crashing through the undergrowth. Kael led it toward a cluster of trees, dodging and weaving to stay just out of reach. The phoenix swooped low, its golden light flashing through the darkness, and the shadow beast snarled in frustration, snapping at the air.
Kael skidded to a stop near a large tree with gnarled roots. The beast charged, its glowing red eyes locked on him. At the last second, Kael dove to the side, and the shadow beast's momentum carried it forward—straight into the roots. The creature stumbled, momentarily trapped as it struggled to free itself.
"Now!" Kael shouted.
The phoenix dived, unleashing a torrent of flames that engulfed the shadow beast. This time, the fire struck true, seeping into the cracks in the creature's hide. The beast roared in agony, its form flickering and fading until it dissolved into smoke.
---
The Battle Turns
Merrik's smirk faltered as his beast vanished. For the first time, Kael saw a flicker of frustration in the hunter's eyes. "Impressive," Merrik said, his voice cold. "But you've only delayed the inevitable."
With a sharp whistle, Merrik called out to his remaining hunters. They broke away from their fights with Thane, regrouping around their leader. Shadowfang growled, its silver fur bristling as it stood protectively in front of Thane.
Merrik stepped forward, his blade glowing with dark energy. "You've got potential, boy. I'll give you that. But you're out of your depth. Surrender the phoenix, and I might let you walk away."
Kael's jaw tightened. He could feel the phoenix's fiery defiance through the bond, its refusal to back down. "Never."
Merrik sighed, his eyes narrowing. "So be it."
---
A Glimpse of Power
The air grew heavy as Merrik raised his blade. Dark tendrils of energy coiled around him, spreading across the ground like smoke. The hunters behind him moved in unison, their beasts snarling as they prepared to strike.
Kael braced himself, his bond with the phoenix burning bright. But just as Merrik prepared to attack, a deafening roar echoed through the grove. The ground trembled, and the air seemed to vibrate with raw power.
From the shadows emerged a colossal beast, its fur shimmering like silver and its eyes glowing with an otherworldly light. It moved with deliberate grace, each step shaking the earth. The hunters froze, their expressions shifting from confidence to fear.
"What... is that?" Kael whispered.
Thane's face was pale as he stared at the creature. "A titan," he said, his voice barely audible. "One of the ancient guardians of the Wilds."
The titan let out another roar, and the hunters scattered, their beasts retreating into the forest. Even Merrik hesitated, his blade lowering slightly. "This isn't over," he snarled, his eyes locking on Kael. "Enjoy your reprieve while it lasts."
With a final glare, Merrik and his remaining hunters disappeared into the shadows, leaving the grove eerily silent.
---
A New Ally
Kael stood frozen as the titan approached. Despite its immense size, its movements were slow and deliberate, its gaze fixed on the phoenix. The chick chirped softly, its flames flickering as it flew toward the titan.
To Kael's astonishment, the titan lowered its massive head, allowing the phoenix to perch on its snout. The two creatures seemed to communicate silently, their energies blending in a way Kael couldn't fully understand.
After a moment, the titan turned its gaze to Kael. Its eyes glowed brighter, and Kael felt a surge of warmth and power through the bond. It was as if the titan was acknowledging him, recognizing his connection to the phoenix.
Then, just as suddenly as it had appeared, the titan retreated into the forest, its massive form vanishing into the shadows.
Thane let out a breath he'd been holding. "You're lucky to be alive," he said, his voice shaky. "Titans don't show themselves without a reason. Whatever bond you have with that phoenix, it's stronger than I thought."
Kael looked down at the phoenix, which chirped softly and nuzzled against his cheek. "What does this mean?" he asked.
Thane shook his head. "It means the Wilds have taken notice of you. And so has the rest of the world."