"ROAR!"A moment later, the gorilla Beast let out a deafening roar, its vine-covered arms swinging with surprising speed. Leaves and loose dirt scattered from the powerful move as he charged Gervas's team with eyes blazing with fury after they dare to disturb his peaceful sleep.Gervas's group had no time to retreat. The Beast was already in front of them with each of his movement brimming with amazing raw strength. Realizing they were cornered, they braced themselves and summoning their Beasts for the fight. It was the only choice they have right now.Gervas's bird with feathers that blazing in hues of red and orange fly forward with a sharp cry, flames licking around its wings.It swooped low then sending scorching embers toward the gorilla, momentarily forcing it back. The fire illuminated the room and casting eerie shadows across the chamber walls as the gorilla shielded itself with a thick, bark-like arm.Griselda's panther crouched low beside her, its sleek muscles rippling as it prepared to strike. With a fierce snarl, the panther leaped forward and slashing his claw out at the gorilla's side body.Its claws scored shallow marks along the Beast's dense foliage, but the gorilla swatted it back and forcing the panther to retreat with a hiss.The brawny man gave a nod and his stone-furred bear stomped forward, letting out a deep growl.The gorilla paused, sizing up the bear as it lumbered forward, its stone-like fur shimmering under the dim light of the fungi. The two Beasts clashed in a brutal exchange of strength. Claws met vines and the ground shook as the bear slammed a thick paw against the gorilla's chest, trying to force it back.However, the gorilla retaliated and wrapping its vines around the bear's legs, attempting to immobilize it.Meanwhile, Gabel's snake unwound itself from his neck, sliding down his arm and onto the ground. The serpent moved with a graceful precision and coiling itselt around the gorilla's arm, its scales flashing green and gold.With a hiss, it sank its fangs into the Beast, delivering a venomous bite. The gorilla let out a howl, thrashing to shake off the snake, but the serpent held tight and digging in deeper with its fangs.Amid the chaos, Gervas called out orders, his face strained as he struggled to keep his team coordinated."Griselda, keep it distracted from the side! Marth, hold it off a little longer!" he shouted, directing to the owners of the Beast bear's.But the gorilla seemed only to grow more enraged. He tear through the panther's strikes, the bird's flames, and the bear's stone-hard defenses with relentless fury.Each time Gervas's team seemed to get an upper hand the Beast unleashed a new wave of strength, vines thrashing wildly and leaves flaring like a living forest defending itself.As the fight escalated, John watched from the shadows - where they waited in the corner for the right moment - with a gleam in his eye, gesturing to his team."They're fully occupied. Let's move," he whispered, his tone laced with quiet satisfaction.With Inky's Dark Shroud concealing them, John and his team edged closer to the Emberfruit, every step bringing them nearer to their prize. While Gervas's team fought their ass off against the furious guardian.They moved quickly and quietly, following the nimble Miki who now already reducing his size. Miki scurried ahead slipping through the shadows and scouting the safest route to the tree. His soft squeaks directed the team around the scattered pressure plates and allowed them to avoid stepping too close to the ongoing battle.As they approached the tree where the Emberfruit hung. Turns out there are only four of them on that tree. The light from the bioluminescent fungi cast just enough of a glow for them to make out the vivid red fruit. It dangled high above, out of reach for anyone on the ground.John concentrated, reaching out to Miki with a mental nudge. "Miki, it's time. Climb up there and get that Emberfruit for us."The rat emitted a soft squeak of acknowledgment before darting out of the cover of Inky's Dark Shroud and scampering up the rough bark of the tree. His tiny claws gripped easily, propelling him up toward the Emberfruit.Across the chamber, Gervas caught a glimpse of Miki's movement out of the corner of his eye. He saw a small creature climbing up the tree. His brow furrowed in confusion. He could see the rat clearly but nothing behind it in the deep shadows.Gervas's attention wavered as he tried to make sense of it and don't realize as the gorilla Beast loomed dangerously close.That split-second of distraction was all it took."ROAR!"With a furious snarl the gorilla swung his massive vine-covered fist, catching Gervas off-guard.The blow connected with brutal force and sending Gervas hurtling backward. He crashed against the stone wall, a sickening crack echoing through the chamber as pain seared through his ribs.Gervas gasping for breath and he struggled to pull himself up. He clutching his side as he shot a glare back at the tree where Miki continued his climb. His gaze darkened with realization. He may not have been able to see them, but he knew now they weren't alone."Shit! Is it them?!"Meanwhile, Miki reached the branch where the Emberfruit hung, his little paws reaching out to grasp it. With a quick, skillful bite, he nipped at the stem, freeing the fruit.Then, he sent the glowing fruit tumbling down.John, Marik, and Irene waited below. As it reached them they caught it carefully, the weight of the fruit distributed between them to prevent any noise from slipping into the echoing chamber. The Emberfruit's surface felt warm in John's hands.While they secured the Emberfruits, Amel kept a sharp eye on the fight unfolding just meters away.In the briefest moment, something flickered across Gervas's face — he saw them, or rather sensed the shadowed figures hidden just beyond the edge of his vision.Gervas gritted his teeth, but now with his team fully locked in battle and his injuries making him stagger there was nothing he could do.Meanwhile, John and his team finally picked up the last of the Emberfruit they'd come for, four in total.John grinned, the rush of success surging through him. He turned to his team, nodding with urgency."We've got what we need. Time to get out of here," he whispered.Miki come down and they moved quickly, staying low in the shadows as they ran back toward the entrance with Emberfruit with each of their hands.Inky's Dark Shroud held and cloaking them as they slipped away, leaving the chaos and the raging Beast behind.At that moment, Gervas's firey bird fly above them and letting out a blasting orange light that push Inky's Dark Shroud."Oh, shit," John said.---