The bear's roar splits the air. The trees tremble, and the snow covering their branches falls in delicate wisps. The ground shakes with every step of the creature. Alynia and Veil stand side by side. Their breath is visible in the cold air. Alynia's gaze is determined, her claws extended, ready to strike. Veil grips the hilt of his dagger tightly, but his eyes betray a hint of apprehension. Alynia (commanding voice): "Do that thing you just did. That propulsion. Do it again." Veil (breathless, uncertain look): "I... I don't know how I did it! My body just moved on its own!" Alynia turns her head toward him, her eyes narrowing, slightly frustrated. Alynia (sighing): "Then make your body move again, Pup." The bear slams its front paw into the ground. A deep, heavy sound echoes as the earth cracks, shards of ice breaking under the impact. Alynia (fixed gaze, ready to leap): "We split up. Don't stay still. If you don't move, you're dead." Without waiting, she dashes forward. Her silhouette blurs into a fleeting streak. Her steps are swift, her movements fluid. Her eyes never leave the bear. Veil (internal thought, panicked): Move. Move! She said it! He takes a step to the side, then another. His eyes are locked on the bear, his breathing quickening. His body is tense, every muscle on edge. The bear charges. Its massive body displaces the air around it, snow swirling into a vortex. Veil (shouting): "It's coming for me!" Alynia (dry tone): "Then get out of the way, Pup!" The ground trembles. Veil dives to the side, but the bear alters its trajectory at the last moment. Its right paw strikes the ground near Veil, sending snow and debris flying into the air. Veil (panting, snow clinging to his face): "It almost got me! It almost got me!" Alynia approaches from the left flank. She leaps from a tree, claws extended, and strikes the bear's back. Her claws rake against its fur but fail to pierce the stone-like plates. Alynia (frustrated): "Too thick… And you, pull yourself together, Pup." The bear roars and twists violently. Its massive paw swipes through the air in her direction. Alynia ducks to evade it, but the gust of wind from the swing knocks her off balance. She rolls backward on the ground before springing to her feet, claws at the ready. Veil (internal thought): I have to do something... I have to... He grips the hilt of his dagger tighter, his eyes fixed on the bear. He steps back with one foot, as if preparing to run. The memory of the earlier sensation flashes through his mind—the feeling of the wind at his back. Veil (internal thought, focused): It was like… a gust. I felt it behind me. If I can just... feel it again... He closes his eyes. His breathing slows, and his hands loosen slightly. He searches for the thread. Alynia, still on guard, notices Veil standing still. Alynia (intense gaze): "Pu—Pup, move! This is no time to daydream!" The bear turns its glowing yellow eyes toward Veil. It sees him. It charges again. The wind around Veil shifts. A shiver runs down his spine. He opens his eyes. Veil (internal thought, fixed gaze): I can feel it. He bends his knees, pushes off sharply, and... BOOM! The wind explodes beneath his feet. The propulsion is brutal, stronger than expected. Veil is launched forward at a speed he can't control, disappearing from the bear's trajectory. Alynia (faint smile): "Not bad… Pup." The bear skids to a stop, its eyes scanning for its prey. Veil lands in a roll but quickly gets back on his feet. He wipes the snow off his face, a fiery smile breaking through. Veil (determined gaze): "I can do it again!" Alynia takes her position beside him. Alynia (ready for battle): "This time, we do it together." They lock eyes for half a second. The connection is made. They lunge at the bear in unison. Alynia attacks from the left flank, while Veil propels himself again from the right. Their battle cries mix with the bear's roar. The final fight begins.