Kael stepped out of the ruins, his body still tingling with the residual energy of the shard. The forest seemed quieter, as if it, too, sensed the change within him. But the serenity didn't last. A sharp crack in the underbrush brought him to full alertness.
A trio of predators emerged—wolf-like creatures with obsidian fur and glowing green eyes. They moved as a pack, circling Kael, their growls low and guttural. These weren't ordinary beasts. Kael could feel their intelligence, their predatory intent directed solely at him.
The shard's energy stirred within him, a pulsing warmth in his chest. He gripped his spear tightly, his instincts urging him to flee, but something deeper pushed him to stand his ground. The voice from the cavern echoed in his mind: Strength is not the absence of fear.
The lead beast lunged, and Kael reacted instinctively. The shard's power surged through him, his movements suddenly faster, sharper. He sidestepped the attack and brought his spear down in a swift arc, grazing the beast's flank. The other two predators hesitated, momentarily thrown off by Kael's newfound speed.
But the shard's power came at a price. Kael felt his muscles strain, his heartbeat erratic as the energy coursed through him. It was like wielding a blade too heavy for his strength, and the beasts could sense his faltering control.
The fight was brutal and chaotic. Kael's spear struck true multiple times, but the beasts were relentless. Their claws tore at his cloak, their teeth snapping inches from his flesh. With each attack, Kael's movements grew more desperate, the shard's power slipping from his grasp.
Just as one of the creatures leaped for his throat, Kael thrust his spear upward with all his remaining strength. The shard's energy flared, enveloping the weapon in a blinding light. The beast was impaled mid-air, its body convulsing before collapsing in a heap.
The remaining predators fled, their courage broken. Kael dropped to his knees, his chest heaving, his vision swimming. The shard's power receded, leaving him drained. His hands trembled as he gripped his spear, now glowing faintly with the shard's mark.
Kael knew he couldn't rely on the shard's energy recklessly. It was a tool, not a savior, and using it carelessly could lead to his undoing. The wild would continue to test him, but he would need to temper his newfound strength with wisdom.
As the adrenaline faded, Kael found himself staring at the bloodstained earth, the weight of his survival sinking in. He wasn't just fighting the beasts of the wild—he was fighting to master the power within himself.