The Void Panther moved like a phantom, slipping between the shadows with unnatural speed. One moment it was crouched in front of them, the next it had vanished, dissolving into the darkness.
Ethan barely had time to react before a rush of air signaled the beast's attack. He twisted his body, narrowly avoiding the strike as sharp claws raked the space where he'd been standing a heartbeat ago.
Lyra wasn't as slow. The moment the panther materialized again, she lunged, her dagger flashing in the firelight. The beast snarled and sprang back, its glowing red eyes narrowing as it circled them once more.
"It's fast," Ethan muttered, gripping his staff tightly. His system hummed, feeding him information in bursts of instinct and awareness. Shadow Veil… the panther can meld into the darkness, reappearing wherever it wants.
"We need to pin it down," Lyra said, adjusting her stance.
Ethan nodded, reaching for his vines. He thrust his staff forward, and emerald tendrils burst from the ground, writhing toward the panther like living snakes. The beast reacted instantly, leaping to the side and vanishing into the darkness once more.
Ethan barely had time to spin before the panther reappeared behind him. It lashed out with its bladed tail, and he threw himself backward, the tip slicing just inches from his chest.
"Damn it," he hissed. He needed something faster.
His mind raced as he dodged another strike. Vines weren't enough. They were too slow to catch something like this.
Then, an idea sparked. The Ember Cloak.
Ethan focused, reaching deep into his system. He felt the familiar heat swell within him, the flames coiling around his body like a second skin. The fire flared to life, illuminating the darkness and casting away the panther's shadows.
The beast hissed, its form flickering as the firelight disrupted its concealment.
"It doesn't like fire," Lyra observed, already moving. She dashed forward, slashing her dagger toward the creature's exposed flank. The panther snarled and leapt away, its form no longer vanishing so easily.
Ethan grinned. "Good. Let's turn up the heat."
He clenched his fist, and the Ember Cloak surged outward, licking at the air around him. The panther hesitated, its red eyes flicking between him and Lyra. It was assessing, searching for an opening.
Ethan didn't give it the chance. He thrust his staff forward, sending a burst of fire-infused vines toward the beast. This time, they moved faster—thin, whip-like tendrils ignited with flickering embers.
The panther leapt, but the fire lashed out midair, catching it across the side. The beast let out a screech of pain, its body twisting as it hit the ground in a roll.
Lyra was on it in an instant. She drove her dagger toward its throat, but the panther recovered swiftly, batting her away with a powerful swipe. Lyra grunted as she hit the ground, but she rolled with the impact, coming up on her feet with a curse.
Ethan didn't hesitate. He lunged, flames surging around his hands as he struck forward with his staff. The fire coiled from the weapon, wrapping around the beast's front leg before exploding in a small burst of heat.
The Void Panther howled, its sleek form shuddering as the fire disrupted its ability to vanish. For the first time, real fear flashed in its eyes.
"It's weakening!" Lyra called.
Ethan's system pulsed, sending a final surge of instinct through his mind. He didn't need words—he just knew what to do.
He raised his staff high, channeling both his vine and fire abilities at once. The ground trembled as roots burst forth, twisting upward and igniting as they ensnared the panther.
The beast thrashed, but the burning vines held firm. Ethan stepped forward, placing a hand on its forehead. The moment his fingers touched its fur, a rush of power surged through him.
His vision blurred.
For a split second, he was inside the beast—feeling its instincts, its hunger, its very essence. Then, the connection snapped, and the panther went still, its body dissolving into wisps of shadowy mist.
Ethan stumbled back, his chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. A familiar message appeared in his mind:
Absorption Complete. New Ability Acquired.
Ethan swayed slightly, his head pounding. The power settled into him, a cold, creeping sensation unlike anything he had absorbed before.
Lyra approached cautiously. "Did it work?"
Ethan clenched his fists, feeling the strange void energy coursing through his veins. He focused, and the shadows around him shifted, responding to his thoughts.
A slow smile spread across his lips.
"Yeah," he said. "It worked."