Chapter 8 – The Panther of the Darkwood
The Darkwood was ancient.
Its trees rose like titans, their twisted limbs blotting out the moon. No wind dared stir its leaves, and no birds dared sing within its borders. The only sounds were the faint rustle of unseen things moving in the shadows… and the steady, measured steps of Nara.
She wore her battle gear — a fitted all–black suit made for both speed and protection. Silver-plated boots reached her knees, catching the faintest flicker of starlight with each step. Matching silver gauntlets wrapped her forearms, gleaming faintly when she passed a shaft of moonlight that somehow pierced the dense canopy. A crimson scarf draped over her head and shoulders like a hooded cloak, concealing her face except for her eyes — eyes that gleamed with cold purpose.
She had been walking for hours, searching for a place to rest. But the deeper she ventured, the more oppressive the forest became. This was not a place for the weary — it was a place where predators reigned supreme.
Her boots crunched on dry leaves as she stepped into a small clearing. The air felt… heavier here. She stopped.
Something was watching her.
The sound came first — a low, rumbling growl that rolled through the clearing like distant thunder. Then, a shadow emerged from the treeline, each step deliberate, each movement radiating strength.
It was a massive beast — easily twice the size of any bear, its muscles coiling under sleek, raven-black fur that seemed to drink in the light. Its eyes glowed gold, like molten metal, locked entirely on her.
Predator and prey.
But neither moved like prey.
They stared at one another, unmoving, as if waiting for the other to blink first. Slowly, the beast began to prowl in a circle, and Nara matched its movement, her boots scraping softly against the earth.
The air between them vibrated with tension.
Then the beast's lips peeled back, revealing teeth like curved blades, and it roared. The sound was so powerful it sent flocks of unseen birds scattering deeper into the forest.
It charged.
Nara launched forward to meet it.
The beast leapt high, claws extended, its fanged maw opening wide enough to bite her head clean off. But Nara dropped low in a controlled slide, the ground scraping under her boots as she slipped beneath its massive body.
Her hand shot up, grabbing its thick tail, and with a grunt of exertion, she swung the creature in a brutal arc. Its body smashed through trees, sending splinters flying. It landed hard, but dug its claws into the dirt, managing to halt its slide.
Nara tilted her head slightly, her voice calm but edged with challenge.
"What a tough kitty you are. Still in the play?"
The beast's growl deepened into something almost like a snarl-laugh. It lunged again, this time swiping at her in rapid, bone-breaking arcs.
Steel rang out as Nara blocked with her sword, sparks dancing in the darkness. She moved like water, flowing between attacks, her blade a blur of silver. Then, she began channeling her power into the weapon, each strike now carrying the force of a hammer blow.
The forest trembled as they fought.
Tree trunks shattered. Roots tore free from the ground. Other creatures of the Darkwood — some predators themselves — fled in all directions to escape the path of destruction.
The beast slashed downward in a killing strike. Nara met it head-on, their blows colliding with such force that a shockwave ripped through the clearing, scattering leaves like a storm. Both were hurled backward, crashing into the dirt.
Nara landed in a crouch, her breathing steady despite the strain. Across from her, the beast lay sprawled, its chest rising and falling heavily.
She walked toward it, her boots crunching on broken branches.
Then, a deep, rumbling voice rolled out of the beast's throat.
"Damn… human. You're good. I should have known after sensing that strange energy from you."
For a fraction of a second, Nara's eyes widened — but her expression quickly returned to its usual coldness.
"You can talk."
The beast lifted its head, eyes still glowing. "My name is Krunus. I am the mythical panther beast — guardian of this forest."
Nara only tilted her head slightly. "Oh."
Krunus blinked. "…I wish to pledge myself to you."
Her voice was flat. "Why?"
"You are the strongest I have encountered. I have much to learn from you… master."
"Oh."
The panther's eyelid twitched. "…Is that the only thing you're going to say?"
"What else should I say?"
Krunus exhaled in what could only be described as a sigh. "I am the strongest of all mythical creatures. Do you know how many warriors would give anything to have me as a companion?"
"Don't know. Don't care." Nara turned and began walking away.
For a long moment, the panther simply stared, baffled at the indifference. But then his tail twitched, and something like curiosity flared in his gaze.
With a low rumble, he padded after her.
"Just so you know," he said, "I'm only following you because you intrigue me, human. You are… different from the rest."
Nara didn't slow, didn't look back.
And so, without fanfare or agreement, Nara gained a companion — the most feared mythical beast in the Darkwood.
They vanished into the shadows together, a strange and dangerous alliance born under the shroud of ancient trees.
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