The creature stepped out of the glowing corridor—towering, draped in black feathers that shimmered like oil, its form vaguely eagle-like, but twisted. Its wings spread with a thunderous clap, brushing the temple walls. From its forehead, a curved horn of obsidian protruded. But most chilling of all—etched into its chest, pulsing red—the same mark that burned on Louis's hand.
Betty froze, her bow trembling. "That mark… it's like yours, Louis."
Louis didn't answer. He couldn't. The mark on his palm flared in tandem with the beast's, pulsing faster with each beat, like two hearts syncing.
The beast let out a roar—not a cry of pain or anger, but something ancient and intelligent. It charged.
"MOVE!" Louis shouted, diving to the side as the creature slammed its talons down where he had just stood, shattering stone.
Betty loosed an arrow. It struck true, but bounced harmlessly off the beast's feathers. Locob hurled a burst of magic, a blast of searing wind that pushed it back slightly—but only barely.
"It's too strong!" Locob gasped. "It's an S-rank… no, maybe higher!"
The beast swept its wing out in a devastating arc. Louis dodged again, but Betty wasn't fast enough. She was flung into a pillar, her body hitting it with a sickening crack. She crumpled to the floor, unmoving.
"BETTY!" Louis screamed.
Locob rushed toward her, but the beast lunged forward, grabbing him in its claw. It squeezed. Locob's scream echoed through the chamber as his ribs cracked.
Louis surged forward, slamming his shoulder into the creature's leg. It stumbled, releasing Locob, who tumbled away, coughing blood.
"Damn it… we're not ready for this," Louis growled. His eyes flicked between Betty's motionless form and Locob barely breathing.
The creature snarled and raised a claw to finish Locob off.
Snap.
Louis's mark flared—brighter than ever before.
"Stop it." Louis's voice trembled.
The creature paused, sensing something.
"Don't touch them," he whispered. "Don't you DARE touch them!"
His hand ignited in red flames, aura surging outward like a tide. The temple walls vibrated. Symbols along the ground glowed violently. The beast recoiled slightly, as if sensing something for the first time—fear.
Locob, barely conscious, looked up. "W-what… is that…?"
Louis stepped forward, his red aura pulsing like a second skin. His eyes had changed—glowing like the glyphs on the walls.
"I'll kill you," he said, his voice layered with something not human. "I'll burn you into nothing."
The ground cracked beneath his feet. The mark on his palm extended, crawling up his arm like veins of fire. Energy spiraled around him, raw and unstable.
The beast roared—and charged.
Louis didn't move.
His lips curled into a snarl.
To be continued…