The figure in the distance grew clearer as Kael's vision sharpened, the air thickening with an almost tangible sense of danger. It moved with the grace of a predator, its form weaving through the trees like a shadow slipping between the cracks of reality. Kael's grip on his spear tightened as the relic pulsed again, sending a surge of power through his body.
His heart pounded in his chest. The forest, once so familiar, now felt alien—like it was alive with unseen eyes. He wasn't sure if it was the relic or the forest itself, but something was drawing him toward this mysterious figure. He had no choice but to follow.
The creature moved effortlessly through the underbrush, its movements swift and fluid. Kael tried to steady his breath as he crept closer, his footfalls nearly silent. It was a rare skill to be able to move through the forest unnoticed, and Kael had been trained for years to do just that. But this creature… it was something else entirely.
He watched as it paused, its head tilting as if sensing something, its dark eyes scanning the surroundings. Then, with a sudden burst of speed, it lunged forward, disappearing into the thicket with terrifying precision.
Kael was already in motion, instinctively pursuing the shadow through the trees. The hunt was on. His mind sharpened, and the world around him seemed to fall away as he focused solely on the chase. His feet carried him faster, pushing through branches and thick foliage. The power of the relic coursed through him, enhancing his speed, his senses, and his very being. He was more than just a man now—he was a part of the wilds themselves.
The chase felt endless, but Kael knew that this was no ordinary prey. This was a creature that had been living within the wilds longer than any of the beasts he had fought. It was part of the forest, as much a part of the ecosystem as the trees themselves.
As Kael rounded a corner, he spotted the creature again, crouching low in a clearing, its eyes glowing in the dim light. It didn't seem to fear him, as most creatures would. Instead, it waited—watching him with a calculating gaze, as if testing him.
Kael slowed his approach, trying to gauge what kind of beast this was. He could feel the tension in the air, a palpable force that seemed to electrify the space between them.
Then, in an instant, the creature moved again, faster than Kael could react. It was upon him before he could even raise his spear. But Kael had learned not to panic in moments like this. With one fluid motion, he dropped to the ground, rolling to the side and avoiding the creature's claws by mere inches. The air around him crackled with energy as the relic's power surged once more, pushing him to his feet in an instant.
Now, the creature seemed to regard him with something new—respect, perhaps. It circled him, its movements measured, as if studying him, learning his strengths and weaknesses. Kael didn't take his eyes off it. He knew this would be a fight unlike any he had faced before. But he was ready.