The Wailing Forest erupted into chaos, a cacophony of snarls, roars, and the clash of steel against claws. Kael's breath came in short, ragged gasps as he swung his sword, cleaving through a beast that lunged at him. Its blood sprayed across the forest floor, but there was no time to rest another creature took its place, snapping its fanged maw.
Mareth was a blur of motion beside him, his sword flashing as he hacked at a massive, boar-like beast. "There's no end to these things!" he shouted, barely dodging a swipe of the creature's tusks.
Kael didn't reply. He was too focused on the alpha beast, which towered over the battlefield like a shadow of death. Its glowing red eyes followed his every move, its body tensed like a coiled spring. It hadn't attacked directly since its initial charge, but its presence loomed over the fight, its patience unnerving.
"Kael, any brilliant ideas?" Mareth's voice was laced with sarcasm as he slashed through another beast.
Kael barely managed to block a clawed swipe from a wolf-like creature, his arms trembling under the force. "Survive?" he muttered through gritted teeth.
"Great plan!" Mareth barked back, skewering another beast. "Let me know when it starts working!"
The alpha beast stepped forward, its massive claws gouging the earth with each deliberate step. The lesser creatures scattered, clearing a path for their leader. Kael tightened his grip on his sword, his heart pounding.
Then he felt it.
A cold, creeping sensation coiled around his wrist like smoke. The Abyss. It was faint, but its pull was unmistakable. It pulsed with power, whispering promises of strength and victory.
Kael froze for a moment, his mind racing. The memory of the last time he had used the Abyss flashed through his mind the destruction it had wrought, the overwhelming hunger for more.
"Kael!" Mareth's shout snapped him back to the present. He turned just in time to parry a beast's claws, the impact jarring his arms.
The alpha beast roared, charging with terrifying speed. Kael and Mareth dove in opposite directions as it slammed into the ground where they had stood, the impact sending a shockwave through the forest floor.
Kael hit the ground hard, his sword skidding out of reach. The alpha turned its glowing eyes on him, lips curling into a snarl.
"Kael, move!" Mareth shouted, but he was pinned down by three smaller beasts, their claws raking at his armor.
Kael scrambled to his feet, but the alpha was faster. It lunged, its massive jaws snapping shut inches from his face. He rolled to the side, grabbing a fallen branch and swinging it with all his strength. The makeshift weapon struck the beast's head, but it barely flinched.
Use it, the Abyss whispered, its voice curling around Kael's thoughts. You can't win without me.
Kael hesitated, his eyes darting to the alpha as it circled him, its movements predatory. The darkness surged, offering him its strength. He could feel the power just beneath the surface, waiting for him to seize it.
The alpha lunged again, its claws raking through the air. Kael ducked, grabbing his sword and driving it into the beast's side. The blade sank deep, and the alpha howled in pain, but the wound wasn't enough to stop it.
"Kael!" Mareth's voice was strained as he fought off the smaller beasts.
Kael glanced at his arm, where the Abyss's dark tendrils had begun to manifest. His heart pounded as he wrestled with the decision. He could end this fight now he was certain of it. But the cost...
The memory of Mareth's easy camaraderie, his trust, flashed in Kael's mind. If Mareth knew what Kael was considering, what he carried within him... would he look at him the same way?
The alpha roared, charging again. Kael gritted his teeth and swung his sword, meeting the beast head on. The impact jarred his entire body, but he stood his ground, his blade carving a deep gash across the alpha's chest.
The beast recoiled, blood pouring from its wounds. Kael stumbled back, his breath ragged. The Abyss pulsed again, screaming for him to use it.
"No," Kael whispered, forcing the darkness away. He couldn't give in not here, not now.
The alpha's eyes burned with fury as it lunged once more, but this time, Mareth was there. With a roar of his own, Mareth drove his sword into the beast's side, twisting the blade. The alpha howled, thrashing wildly, but the combined efforts of the two men were finally taking their toll.
The lesser beasts hesitated, their movements faltering as the alpha staggered. Blood dripped from its massive body, pooling on the ground.
Kael and Mareth pressed the attack, their strikes relentless. The alpha fought back fiercely, its claws raking deep gashes into their armor and flesh. The battle became a blur of blood and pain, each strike a desperate bid for survival.
Finally, with a final, guttural roar, the alpha collapsed. Its massive body hit the ground with a resounding thud, and the forest fell silent.
Kael sank to his knees, his sword slipping from his grasp. His vision swam, and every muscle in his body ached.
Mareth stumbled to his side, collapsing beside him. "We're alive," he said, his voice a mix of relief and disbelief.
"Barely," Kael muttered, wiping blood from his face.
Mareth chuckled weakly. "Next time you suggest a shortcut, remind me to punch you."
Kael managed a faint smile, but his mind was elsewhere. The Abyss's pull had subsided, but its presence lingered, a dark reminder of the choice he had made.
"Come on," Mareth said, clapping a hand on Kael's shoulder. "Let's get moving before something else shows up."
Kael nodded, forcing himself to his feet. As they stumbled away from the battlefield, he couldn't shake the feeling that the Abyss wasn't done with him and that the next time, the choice might not be so easy.