Kael's instincts screamed at him to flee, his heart pounded wildly, the sound almost drowning out the deep growls emanating from the massive beast before him.
"I can't outrun it."Kael whispered to himself, his voice was calm, a stark contrast to the rapid rhythm of his heart.
He took slow steps backward, his gaze fixed on the creature.
"I was careless," he muttered regretfully. "I shouldn't have made such a commotion."
The beast stepped closer, its glowing eyes locked onto him. Kael's thoughts raced. He couldn't fight it directly—his soul power was nearly drained from his earlier experiments. He needed a plan, something to give him an edge.
His eyes darted to the nearby forest, spotting a cluster of tightly packed trees. A desperate idea formed in his mind
The masive beast lunged.
Kael's heart leapt to his throat as the massive beast launched itself toward him. It was like a nightmare brought to life—razor-sharp claws stretched wide, fangs gleaming with its saliva. He barely managed to dive to the side, rolling across the rough ground. Pain seared through his left shoulder as a claw grazed him, leaving a shallow but stinging gash.
Gritting his teeth, Kael clutched his wound and hissed in pain. He didn't have time to assess the damage; the beast was already recovering, snarling with fury at its missed prey. Forcing himself upright, he dashed toward the clustered trees.
The forest floor was uneven, littered with rocks and tangled roots with one almost tripping his balance. Kael pushed through, ignoring the burning exhaustion. The tiger gave chase, its powerful strides closing the gap with terrifying speed.
Kael weaved between the trees, using the narrow gaps to slow the beast. Each time it charged, the tiger's massive body slammed into the trunks, forcing it to pull back and adjust its approach. Despite his efforts, Kael's stamina was quickly depleting. His breath came in ragged gasps, his muscles were screaming.
"Damn it! Just a little longer," he thought, as he gauged his recovering Soulpower while gritting his teeth.
A claw swiped past his head, close enough that he could feel the rush of air it left in its wake. Kael threw himself into a roll, landing hard on his side. Dirt and leaves clung to his clothes, but he didn't care. He staggered to his feet as the tiger roared in frustration, its eyes burning with a mix of rage and bloodlust.
He had to end this.
Focusing his mind, Kael forced himself to think clearly despite the chaos. The beast charged again, and Kael's thoughts worked in overdrive. He had only moments to construct a Rune Circle, desperation on his face.
Planting his feet firmly, he extended his right arm. A faint glow emerged as the runes began to take shape, rotating rapidly. The lines and nodes shifted into a specific pattern, and Kael finally feeling a little bit of his soul power recovered immediately poured everything into the array.
"Air Drill!!" he shouted, his voice trembling with both exhaustion and determination.
The air before him compressed, forming a swirling mass that rapidly gained shape. A sharp, spiraling wind resembling a drill materialized, its edges vibrating with destructive energy.
The tiger lunged once more, its jaws wide open, aiming to crush Kael's skull. Time seemed to slow as Kael swung his arm, releasing his attack.
The compressed air drill shot forward like a lightning bolt, spinning with a deafening roar. The tiger, mid-lunge, had no chance to evade.
BANGG!!!
Blood sprayed in all directions, painting the trees and ground in crimson .The drill tore into the beast's open mouth, ripping through flesh and bone like a grinder. The tiger's body was flung backward, landing with a heavy thud several meters away.
Kael dropped to one knee, his chest heaving. Sweat dripped from his forehead as he clutched his injured shoulder. The air around him was thick with the metallic scent of blood.
The tiger writhed on the ground, its once-majestic form now battered and broken. Its jaw almost gone hung at an unnatural angle, its chest a mangled mess of torn muscle and shattered ribs. Yet, despite its injuries, the beast's eyes still burned with a primal fury.
Kael forced himself to stand. His legs felt like lead, his vision swimming from exhaustion. "Not yet," he muttered, shaking his head to stay focused.
The forest around him seemed to eat him alive . The trees stood silent witnesses to the battle, their gnarled roots and moss-covered trunks creating an almost oppressive atmosphere. The air was still, except for the faint rustling of leaves in the wind.
Kael tightened his grip on his injured arm. The beast was still dangerous, even in its weakened state. He couldn't afford to let his guard down.
The tiger struggled to rise, growling weakly. Its body shook with the effort, blood dripping from its gaping wounds. Kael, after recovering a bit of his Soulpower, took a step forward, his Rune Circle glowing faintly on his palm.
"This ends now," he said, his voice steady despite the pain coursing through his body.
With what little soul power he recovered, Kael began forming another attack. The runes shifted sluggishly, responding to his depleted energy. A faint swirl of air coalesced in his hand, nowhere near as powerful as the drill but sharp enough to deliver a final blow.
The tiger, sensing its end, let out one last defiant roar. It lunged weakly, a shadow of its former power. Kael sidestepped, his movements sluggish but precise. As the beast passed, he released the air blade, striking its neck.
The tiger collapsed with a heavy thud, its body finally still.
Kael sank to the ground, his entire body trembling. He stared at the lifeless body of the beast, a mixture of relief and disbelief washing over him.
"I survived," he whispered, his voice barely audible.
The forest was silent once more, save for the faint rustling of leaves. Kael's small figure, leaning against a tree about to close his eyes in exhaustion.
Suddenly-