Everything happened at once. Orin's feet barely touched the ground as he launched himself at the Vrexus, the monstrous 5-star Monari that had just torn into Lisa. Blood pounded in his ears, drowning out all other sounds. His mind was a blur of panic, anger, and the overwhelming need to protect her. His blade, though sharp, felt like a toy compared to the size of the creature he was facing.
The Vrexus turned to meet him, its glowing eyes narrowing in on Orin with predatory precision. The moment stretched, time warping as Orin's blade arced through the air, aimed for the beast's throat. But the creature was fast—too fast. Just as Orin's blade was about to make contact, the Vrexus shifted, moving with terrifying speed.
Orin's blade scraped harmlessly off the Monari's impenetrable scales, the force of the miss jarring his arm. In the next instant, the Vrexus retaliated. Its massive claw came down, a blur of dark, jagged edges.
Orin barely had time to react. The claws slammed into him, raking across his chest with brutal force. Pain exploded through his body, white-hot and all-consuming. The impact sent him flying backward, crashing into the base of a thick tree with a sickening thud. He gasped for air, his lungs burning, his vision swimming in and out of focus.
*I wasn't fast enough.*
The pain was unlike anything Orin had ever felt before. It was as if his chest had been split open, the claws tearing through skin and muscle like paper. Blood poured from the deep gashes, soaking his tunic. He struggled to get up, but his body refused to move. Every breath was a battle.
*I failed. I failed them.*
Through the haze of agony, Orin watched as the others sprang into action. Sonny, Vince, and Vice didn't hesitate. They rushed the Vrexus as one, their movements fluid and deadly. They had fought together for years, their coordination seamless, their bond unshakable.
"Stay back, Orin!" Sonny shouted, his voice carrying through the chaos. "We've got this!"
Orin tried to rise, his arms trembling with the effort. His vision swam, and black spots danced at the edges of his sight. He could barely breathe, let alone move. But he had to. He couldn't just lie there while they fought. He couldn't let them die because of him.
The Vrexus roared, its massive form towering over them. It swiped at Sonny, who deftly dodged, his blade flashing as he struck at the beast's side. But the Vrexus's scales were too thick, too strong. The blows barely left a mark.
Vince moved in next, his body already shifting into his beast trait form. His arms elongated, his muscles bulging as he attacked with raw power. He swung at the Vrexus's legs, trying to cripple it, but the beast was too quick. It leapt back, avoiding the blow with ease.
Vice circled the beast, his serpent-like eyes glowing as he searched for an opening. He was patient, precise, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. When the Vrexus lunged at Vince, Vice moved. His blade darted forward, aimed at the creature's neck.
For a brief moment, Orin thought they had it. Vice's strike was fast—blindingly fast. But just before the blade could connect, the Vrexus twisted, its tail whipping out like a coiled spring. The tail slammed into Vice with a force that sent him crashing to the ground, his body skidding across the dirt.
"No!" Orin choked out, his voice barely more than a whisper. His heart thundered in his chest, desperation clawing at him.
Sonny growled, launching another attack. His blade ignited in flame, the fire roaring as he swung at the beast's side. The Vrexus snarled, its scales crackling as the fire singed them, but it wasn't enough. It wasn't enough.
Orin's blood boiled. He had to help them. He had to stop this.
*They're going to die.*
Something deep inside him stirred—something dark and ancient, something primal. It pulsed through his veins, hot and fierce, overpowering the pain, the fear, the doubt. It was a call, a demand.
*Let me out.*
Orin's breath hitched as the sensation grew, spreading through his body like wildfire. His vision sharpened, the world around him coming into painful clarity. Every sound, every movement was suddenly magnified. His heart raced, his blood pounding like a war drum.
*Let me out!*
Without warning, the energy inside him erupted. His body moved on its own, rising from the ground with a speed and strength he hadn't known he possessed. His skin prickled, his muscles burning with newfound power. His mind screamed at him to stop, but his body wouldn't listen.
The world around him blurred, his vision narrowing to one point—the Vrexus.
Orin let out a roar, the sound so loud, so feral, it sent shockwaves through the air. His hands clenched into fists, his nails elongating into sharp claws. His muscles bulged, his skin darkening, taking on a monstrous form.
*No. No, no, no.*
But it was too late. The beast inside him had been unleashed.
The Vrexus turned toward him, its glowing eyes narrowing. But Orin wasn't afraid. He wasn't weak anymore.
He charged at the Monari, his claws slashing through the air with terrifying speed. The Vrexus snarled, swiping at him with its massive claws, but Orin was faster now—stronger. He ducked under the attack, his body moving with an animalistic grace he hadn't known he possessed.
His claws tore into the Vrexus's side, ripping through its thick scales as if they were paper. The beast howled in pain, staggering back, but Orin didn't stop. He couldn't stop. His vision was red, his mind lost in a haze of rage and bloodlust.
He leapt onto the Vrexus, his claws digging into its back as he tore at its flesh. The beast thrashed, trying to throw him off, but Orin held on, his grip unrelenting. He could feel the bones breaking under his claws, the blood pouring from the wounds he inflicted.
He was winning.
The Vrexus let out one final, desperate roar before collapsing to the ground, its massive body twitching as it bled out. Orin stood over it, his chest heaving, his claws dripping with blood. His heart raced, the thrill of the kill coursing through his veins.
But the rage wasn't gone. The beast inside him wasn't satisfied.
Orin turned, his eyes locking onto the figures standing nearby—Sonny, Vince, and Vice.
They were watching him, their faces pale with shock and horror.
"Orin?" Sonny's voice was quiet, unsure, as if he didn't recognize the person standing before him.
But Orin didn't hear him. The beast inside him had taken over completely.
Without thinking, without hesitation, Orin lunged at them.
Sonny barely had time to react. He raised his blade, blocking Orin's claws with a desperate swing. But Orin was too strong—too fast. His claws tore through the blade, sending sparks flying as he pushed Sonny back.
"Orin! Stop!" Vince shouted, rushing forward to help. But Orin didn't stop. He couldn't.
The world around him was a blur of red and black, his mind lost in the primal need to destroy, to kill. He slashed at Vince, his claws tearing through flesh, blood spraying across the ground.
Vice tried to intervene, his serpent-like agility allowing him to dodge Orin's attacks. But even he wasn't fast enough. Orin's claws caught him, slashing across his chest, sending him crashing to the ground.
"Orin, it's us!" Sonny shouted, his voice desperate.
But it was no use. The beast inside Orin had taken full control.
Orin lunged at Sonny again, his claws aiming for the kill. Sonny blocked the attack, but the force of the blow sent him reeling. Orin didn't give him a chance to recover. He struck again, and this time, his claws found their mark.
Sonny gasped, blood spilling from the wound in his chest. He staggered back, his eyes wide with shock.
"No!" Vince screamed, his voice breaking with grief.
But it was too late.
Orin's claws tore through Sonny's body, ripping him apart in a spray of blood and gore. Sonny collapsed to the ground, his lifeless eyes staring up at the sky.
Vince let out a roar of rage and pain, launching himself at Orin with reckless abandon. He struck hard, his beast traits fully activated, but it wasn't enough. Orin's rage-fueled strength was unstoppable. He caught Vince's arm mid-swing, his claws crushing the bone. Vince cried out in agony, but his scream only fueled the beast inside Orin. There was no room for reason, no room for hesitation—just raw, uncontrollable power surging through him.
With a single, vicious motion, Orin flung Vince aside like a ragdoll. He hit the ground hard, the air driven from his lungs, his body skidding across the dirt, leaving a trail of blood in his wake. Vince tried to get up, his good arm pushing weakly against the ground, but his strength was fading fast.
"Orin… stop… please…" Vince gasped, blood trickling from his mouth as he struggled to speak.
But Orin wasn't Orin anymore.
He lunged at Vince, his monstrous form towering over him. Vince's eyes widened in horror, the realization hitting him just as Orin's claws came down. There was no mercy, no hesitation. Orin's claws tore through Vince's chest, ripping through flesh and bone. Blood sprayed into the air, splattering the ground and staining Orin's hands.
Vince didn't scream. His body twitched, his eyes glassy, as his life slipped away.
The world around Orin was a blur of crimson. His breath came in ragged gasps, his heart racing as the thrill of the kill surged through him. He turned, his bloodied claws flexing, his eyes locking onto the last figure standing—Vice.
Vice, battered and bleeding, was already trying to drag himself toward Vince's lifeless body. His serpent-like eyes shone with grief, the weight of the tragedy bearing down on him. But there was also fear. Fear of the creature Orin had become.
"Orin, don't," Vice pleaded, his voice breaking. "Please… they're… they're our family…"
For a moment, Orin hesitated. His breath hitched, his claws trembling at his sides. The fog of rage that clouded his mind flickered, just for a second. Vice's voice cut through, reaching a part of him that was still human, still Orin.
But the beast wasn't done.
With a snarl, Orin lunged at Vice.
Vice tried to dodge, his serpent reflexes kicking in, but he was too injured, too slow. Orin's claws found their mark, slashing through Vice's side with terrifying precision. Vice gasped in pain, his body convulsing as he collapsed to the ground, blood pooling around him.
"No… please…" Vice's voice was barely a whisper now, his breath shallow and ragged.
Orin loomed over him, his chest heaving, his claws dripping with blood. The beast inside him roared, demanding more—demanding the kill.
But then, through the haze of bloodlust and violence, Orin heard something. A voice—soft, broken, but familiar.
"Orin…"
It was faint, barely audible over the pounding in his head, but it was there. His ears twitched, his eyes narrowing as he tried to focus. The voice came again, this time louder, filled with pain and desperation.
"Orin… please… stop…"
It was Lisa.
Orin's bloodied claws hovered over Vice's body, his chest heaving with each ragged breath. But Lisa's voice—her cries—cut through the haze, piercing the thick fog of rage that had consumed him. He turned, his monstrous eyes scanning the battlefield until they landed on her.
Lisa was barely conscious, her body weak and battered, but she was alive. Her face was pale, streaked with blood and dirt, her eyes wide with shock and horror. She had seen everything. Her voice was hoarse, strained from the pain, but she kept calling his name.
"Orin…" she whispered, her voice shaking. "Orin, stop… please…"
Orin's claws trembled. His breath hitched, the primal roar in his mind faltering for the first time since his transformation. He took a step toward her, his vision blurring, his body shaking with the aftershocks of the violence he had unleashed.
Lisa's eyes filled with tears as she reached out a trembling hand toward him. "Orin… don't do this… you're not… you're not a monster…"
Her words were like a hammer, shattering the blood-soaked rage that had gripped him. The red haze lifted, and reality crashed down on Orin with devastating clarity. He looked down at his hands—his claws—coated in blood. Vince's blood. Sonny's blood. Vice's blood.
His heart lurched, his chest tightening as the horror of what he had done hit him like a tidal wave. His breathing became erratic, his claws retracting as his body shook with uncontrollable tremors. He stumbled back, his legs giving out beneath him as he collapsed to the ground, the weight of his actions crushing him.
*No. No. No!*
He scrambled back, his hands clutching his head as if he could block out the sight before him. But it was everywhere. The blood. The bodies. The lifeless eyes of his family, staring up at the sky. Sonny, Vince, Vice—they were gone. Dead. Because of him.
"No… no…" Orin's voice broke, his throat raw as he gasped for air. His chest heaved, each breath harder than the last. His hands were shaking uncontrollably, still stained with the blood of those he had loved.
Lisa's voice reached him again, pulling him back from the brink of complete despair.
"Orin…" she whispered, her voice barely a breath now, but still filled with a gentleness that tore at his heart. "It wasn't… your fault…"
But it was. It *was* his fault.
Orin's body trembled as he collapsed fully, his face buried in his bloodstained hands. He couldn't face her—couldn't face what he had done. His breath came in ragged gasps, his mind screaming at him, tearing him apart from the inside out.
*I killed them. I killed them all.*
Lisa's hand reached out, weakly brushing against his arm. "You… didn't mean to…"
Orin's entire body shook with the force of his sobs. His chest heaved, the weight of his grief pressing down on him until it felt like he was being suffocated. There was no escaping it. No running from the truth.
He was a monster.
For what felt like hours, Orin sat there, trembling and broken, the devastation of what he had done drowning him in despair. His entire world had shattered in the span of a few minutes, and the weight of his guilt threatened to swallow him whole.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Lisa's hand fell from his arm, her strength fading. She was barely holding on, her breath coming in shallow gasps. She had used the last of her energy to bring him back, to stop him.
Orin forced himself to look at her, his vision blurry with tears. Her eyes were half-lidded, her body limp as she fought to stay conscious. The sight of her, weak and broken, only deepened the pit of guilt in his chest.
"I'm… sorry…" Orin whispered, his voice barely audible.
Lisa's lips trembled into the faintest of smiles. "Just… don't… lose yourself…"
And then her eyes fluttered closed.
Orin let out a choked sob, his hands shaking as he reached for her. He was too late. He couldn't save her. He couldn't save any of them.
*I failed them all.*
The forest was silent, save for the soft rustling of the leaves and the distant cry of the wind. Orin was alone, surrounded by the bodies of the only family he had ever known.