The forest quivered as the malformed creature rushed on, staggering with speed unnatural. Branches cracked as trees trembled as the youngest prince stood frozen in his very place with fear. The beast's bright red eyes were glued to Liam and vibrated with his guttural growl as it filled the air.
"Move!" Liam shouted while holding his sword and stepping between the prince and the beast. "Nyx, take him and go! Now!"
At first, Nyx hesitated before darting towards the prince with claws gripping the sleeve of the boy. "Come! Liam will handle it!"
"But- " the prince started to say.
"Run!" roared Liam.
Nyx dragged the prince further into the forest while Liam was left behind with his back to the giant. The shadow beast lowered its head, black mist curling from its mouth, breathing darkness itself.
It's too big to fight directly, Liam thought, analyzing the beast as it crept closer. Its armor-like scales glimmered slightly in the filtered sunlight. It is not just strong. It is enchanted.
Lunging forward, the beast charged. Liam rolled onto its side. The creature's claws sunk deep into the ground where he once stood, the damp soil gouged into deep trenches. One hit, and I'm done.
Clever counterattack Liam quickly sprang to feet and darted into the thicker part of woods moving the beast deeper into trees. I need an advantage... he thought, looking around for anything he can use.
The creature crashed through the forest behind him with its sheer size, ripping trees like paper as it came. He pulled a handful of explosive talismans from his pouch and stuck them in a tree trunk as he ran past.
He turned and shouted, "Hey, you oversized lizard! Come get me!"
It roared and smashed against the tree, and—KABOOM!—the amulets burst and splintered. Smoke billowed in the air, and a grin creased Liam's face.
But when the dust dispersed, so did his smile. Emerging from the haze, the beast bore scorch marks, but remained standing. Its eyes, like burning coals, fixed on Liam once more.
"Awesome," Liam said with disinterest. "Plan B it is."
Nyx's Revelation
Nyx and the prince were wandering through a maze of shrub and tree. The prince stopped, breathless. "We can't leave him! He'll die!"
Nyx turned, standing with his feline shape taut. "You underestimate my master. Liam does not fight to win; he fights to provide time."
"Time for what?" the prince demanded.
"The time we need to discover the means by which to destroy that creature," Nyx said, narrowing his yellow eyes.
"Key?"
Nyx waved toward the thick, unnatural fog rolling through the forest. "Look at the mist. It's seeping toward the beast. It's feeding on the shadows. If we break the source of that magic, then the beast will weaken."
The prince's face paled. "You mean the Princess called it?"
"Exactly," Nyx replied. "She's somewhere nearby, maintaining the spell. If we stop her—"
"We stop the beast," the prince finished, his voice filled with resolution.
Nyx nodded. "We need to find her. Fast."
Liam's Desperate Gamble
In the clearing, the next swing of claws zoomed overhead as Liam ducked. Heaving, he was feeling tired and would have started to feel the workouts put on him by the sorcerer weigh heavier and heavier, with every muscle shrieking in protest.
The beast roared again, rearing back to strike. Liam gripped his sword tightly and glared at the monster. "Alright, big guy. Let's see how smart you are."
Stepping back, baiting the creature up to the tangle of roots and trees which momentarily crashed into it, Liam dashed sideways, narrowly avoiding its jaws as it lunged again.
Taking the opportunity, Liam sprinted forward, leaping onto the beast's back and jamming his sword between its scales.
Thrashing jerkily to throw Liam off, it shrieked. Gripping jagged scales, amid gritted teeth, "Come on! Just fall already!"
Suddenly, the black mist that was pouring from the beast has slowed down, and Liam froze in confusion. He glances around and realizes---
The shadows are weakening.
A faint light crept through the forest mist, and Liam saw Nyx and the prince racing toward him. Lurking behind them was a silhouette standing near an ancient-looking altar-a cloaked figure surrounded by swirling dark magic.
The Princess.
The Final Strike
Echoing through the forest was the voice of the Princess as she snarled, "No! How did you find me?"
Nyx leapt forward, claws outstretched for the altar itself. "Your spell ends here!"
With a raising hand, the Princess summoned a wall of black energy to block him. "You think you can stop me, you pathetic creature?"
"She's the source, Liam! Finish the beast now!" shouted the prince.
Liam was ready; he drew his blade back and pulled everything he had left inside him. Very faintly glowing with the life of his magic rune script, with a whisper he uttered: "Ignis Flare".
The sword took fire, igniting in flame as bright as white heat.
Yowling, the beast leapt and punctured the flaming sword deep into its back. Fire erupted from the wound, spreading through the body of creature. The shadows recoiled, dissipating like smoke in the wind.
The howl of the beast vibrated one last time through the earth.
Nyx brought her hand crashing down on the altar, shattering it with a deafening crack. The Princess stumbled back, blood trickling from her lips as the black mist surrounding her faded away.
She widened her eyes with rage. "This... isn't over." With a wave of her hand, she melted into the forest, leaving only a hazy vestige of her dark magic.
The Aftermath
The forest itself was still deafening stillness as Liam fell to the ground, completely tired. Nyx padded over to him, a satisfied look on his feline face. "Told you we'd manage."
The prince stepped closer, curious eyes glued to the shadow beast lying dead. "Is it... dead?"
Liam nodded, pulling himself back to his feet. "For now. The Princess escaped, though."
She'll be back - stronger."
The prince clenched his fists. "Then we have to prepare. If she's this powerful... we can't let her win."
"Don't worry. I've got a plan. She won't see it coming," Liam smirked faintly, resting his sword on his shoulder.
The Twist
Nyx froze at once when the two started to walk back into the safe haven. His yellow-hued eyes narrowed as he sniffed the air.
"What is it?" asked Liam, caught alert at once. Nyx's voice was low. "We are not alone."
A soft yet mocking clap echoed from the shadows of the trees.
A hooded figure stepped forward, his face obscured by darkness. "Well done, Liam. Truly impressive."
Liam's blood ran cold. "Who are you?"
The figure chuckled softly. "A friend. Or perhaps... your greatest enemy. That depends on you."
Before Liam could react, the figure vanished into thin air, leaving behind only an unsettling chill.
To be continue...