The corrupted wolf let out a guttural snarl, its glowing green eyes locked onto Shade. The energy around it pulsed erratically, thick tendrils of corruption leaking from its fur like black smoke.
Shade darted to the side, avoiding the creature's first swipe with ease. Its red eyes glinted in the dim light, and Azhaan felt their bond surge with anticipation.
"Stay sharp, Shade!" Azhaan called, gripping his dagger tightly.
The corrupted wolf lunged again, its claws raking across the ground as it closed the distance. Shade responded with a feral growl, meeting the attack head-on. The two beasts collided, their snarls echoing through the clearing as they tore into each other.
Azhaan's heart pounded as he watched the fight unfold. Shade was fast, weaving in and out of the wolf's attacks with fluid precision, but the corrupted creature was relentless. Every strike seemed to carry an unnatural force, its movements erratic yet terrifyingly strong.
"Keep moving!" Azhaan shouted, his voice breaking through the tension.
Shade leapt back, narrowly avoiding a swipe that would have taken its head. The wolf's claws left deep gouges in the earth, black energy sizzling where they struck.
Azhaan's eyes darted around the clearing, searching for anything he could use to gain an advantage. His gaze fell on a fallen branch—thick and jagged, but light enough to wield.
Without hesitation, he grabbed it, rushing to Shade's side.
"Let's even the odds," he muttered, brandishing the makeshift weapon.
The corrupted wolf turned its attention to him, its glowing eyes narrowing. A low, menacing growl rumbled from its throat as it crouched, ready to pounce.
"Come on," Azhaan said, his voice steady despite the fear tightening in his chest.
The wolf lunged, its massive form closing the distance in an instant. Azhaan sidestepped, swinging the branch with all his strength. The impact caught the creature on the side of its head, sending it staggering to the side.
"Shade, now!" Azhaan shouted.
The Shadow Stalker seized the opening, leaping onto the wolf's back. Its claws tore into the corrupted fur, and its fangs sank into the creature's neck. The wolf howled in pain, thrashing wildly as it tried to shake Shade off.
Azhaan watched, his breathing heavy as Shade held its ground, its sleek body clinging to the larger beast with relentless determination.
The wolf bucked violently, throwing Shade to the ground. Black energy pulsed around its body, and its snarls grew louder, more feral. Azhaan felt the bond between him and Shade pulse with urgency, a warning that they couldn't afford to let this fight drag on.
"Go low!" Azhaan called, gripping his dagger tightly.
Shade darted forward, slipping beneath the wolf's next swipe. Its claws raked across the beast's hind legs, drawing another pained howl. The wolf staggered, its movements slowing as the corruption around it began to waver.
Azhaan saw his chance.
Rushing forward, he drove his dagger into the wolf's side, aiming for the spot where its ribs met. The blade sank deep, and the creature let out a final, ear-splitting roar before collapsing to the ground.
Aftermath
Azhaan stumbled back, his chest heaving as he stared at the lifeless form of the corrupted wolf. Black smoke rose from its body, dissipating into the air like ash on the wind.
Shade stood nearby, its red eyes glowing faintly as it watched the last traces of corruption fade away. The bond between them pulsed with a mixture of exhaustion and triumph.
"You okay?" Azhaan asked, his voice shaky.
Shade growled softly, padding over to him. Its sleek body was covered in scratches, but none of the wounds seemed too serious.
Azhaan crouched, placing a hand on its head. "Good job, buddy. You were amazing out there."
Shade let out a low huff, leaning into his touch.
The clearing was quiet now, the tension of the battle replaced by an eerie stillness. Azhaan's gaze drifted to the spot where the wolf had fallen. All that remained was a faint scorch mark on the ground, its edges still smoldering.
"What was that thing?" he muttered, his mind racing.
The corruption had been unlike anything he'd seen before—wild, untamed, and unnervingly powerful. It reminded him of the cloaked figures they'd encountered on the road, their beasts similarly tainted by the strange, dark energy.
Azhaan's thoughts were interrupted by the faint rustle of leaves nearby. He turned, his dagger still in hand, as a figure stepped out from the shadows.
A New Encounter
It was the fox-like creature he'd seen earlier, its crimson fur glowing faintly in the dim light. This time, it didn't dart away. Instead, it sat at the edge of the clearing, its golden eyes watching him with an almost human-like curiosity.
Shade growled softly, but the bond between them pulsed with caution rather than hostility.
"What do you want?" Azhaan asked, his voice steady but wary.
The creature tilted its head, its tail swishing behind it. Then, to Azhaan's surprise, it stepped closer, its movements slow and deliberate.
Shade tensed, but Azhaan held up a hand. "Wait. Let's see what it does."
The fox-like beast stopped a few feet away, its gaze shifting between Azhaan and Shade. Then, it let out a soft yip, the sound almost playful.
Azhaan frowned, unsure of what to make of it. "Are you… trying to tell me something?"
The creature yipped again, its golden eyes glinting with what Azhaan could only describe as mischief.
Before he could react, the fox darted into the underbrush, its crimson fur disappearing into the shadows.
Azhaan stood there for a moment, his mind racing.
"What was that all about?" he muttered, glancing at Shade.
The Shadow Stalker let out a low growl, its red eyes fixed on the spot where the fox had vanished.
Azhaan sighed, sheathing his dagger. "Guess we'll find out soon enough."