LightReader

Chapter 64 - Chapter 64 – Final Battle and Resolution

The forest reeked of blood and sweat. Broken branches littered the ground where the Shadowclaw Lynx had clashed with the hunters before darting back into the gloom. Its amber eyes gleamed faintly in the underbrush, glowing like coals in the shadows. The predator wasn't done—not until one side was dead.

Hunnt wiped a line of sweat and blood from his brow with the back of his gauntlet. His chest rose and fell with heavy breaths, but his eyes stayed sharp.

[It's wounded. But a beast like this fights hardest when cornered. We can't let it escape again.]

Pyro crouched at his side, SnS gleaming in the slivers of light breaking through the canopy. The little Palico hissed, tail whipping in agitation. "Master… it's angry… but so am I. Nyaaah."

Corwin's hammer rested across his broad shoulders. His arms bore shallow scratches where the Lynx's claws had slipped past Tekkai. Still, he stood like stone, eyes narrowed. "One more clash. We finish this."

The leaves rustled. Low growls reverberated through the trees. Then, with terrifying speed, the Shadowclaw Lynx sprang from the shadows, claws slicing the air.

"Move!" Hunnt shouted, vanishing with Soru. He reappeared at its flank, gauntlet slamming into the joint of its foreleg. The beast stumbled, roaring in pain, but its momentum carried it forward.

Corwin planted his feet. Muscles coiled, his body hardening with Tekkai as the Lynx's claws smashed into him. The ground trembled under the impact, dirt spraying in all directions. He gritted his teeth and swung his hammer in a brutal counter, striking the Lynx square in the ribs. The monster staggered sideways, snarling.

"Nice hit!" Hunnt barked, darting back in. His gauntlet cracked against its jaw in a quick combination of strikes. [Still too tough. My fists barely get through… but if we keep up the pressure—]

Pyro blurred in from the opposite side, his movements flowing with Kami-e as he slipped under a wild claw swipe. His SnS flashed, raking across the monster's hind leg. "Nyaaaah! Gotcha!"

The Lynx roared, tail whipping around in a vicious arc. Hunnt barely twisted aside, feeling the air rush past his cheek. Corwin braced again, the spiked tail glancing across his hammer instead of his chest. The force pushed him back, boots sliding across the dirt.

The predator didn't relent. It lunged at Pyro, claws aiming to tear him apart. The little Palico's ears flattened, and in that instant, his body flowed with Kami-e, slipping between the claws like smoke. He struck again at its exposed flank before darting back.

Hunnt saw the opening. "Corwin, now!"

Corwin roared, dashing forward with Soru, hammer raised high. He brought it down like a thunderclap, the ground shaking as it smashed against the Lynx's shoulder. Bones cracked under the weight of the blow, and the beast howled, staggering.

Hunnt clenched his fists tighter. [This is it. Don't let up!]

He surged forward, fists a blur, striking the monster's ribs, then its jaw, then its throat. Each blow forced the Shadowclaw back step by step. Blood splattered, its sleek black fur matted, its amber eyes burning with desperate fury.

The beast retaliated with a furious swipe, claws gleaming. Hunnt twisted into Kami-e, his body flowing just enough for the claws to miss by inches. Dirt sprayed his face as the claws tore trenches in the ground.

[That would've cut me in half… too close.]

Pyro leapt onto the Lynx's back, claws and sword biting into its hide. "Nyaah! Stay still, you overgrown kitty!" The monster bucked and twisted, trying to throw him off.

"Hold it steady!" Hunnt shouted, charging again.

Corwin planted himself in front of the beast, hammer raised. As the Lynx lunged at him in fury, Corwin's stance locked with Tekkai. He swung his hammer upward, smashing into its chin with staggering force. The beast's head snapped back, dazed.

Hunnt didn't hesitate. He dashed forward with Soru, both fists driving into its throat with everything he had. Bone and sinew cracked beneath the force. The Lynx gagged, stumbling back, blood spilling from its jaws.

Pyro sprang free, landing lightly beside Hunnt. "Master… finish it! Nyaaah!"

The Shadowclaw staggered, legs trembling, but its eyes still burned with defiance. It roared one last time, amber eyes locking onto Hunnt. The boy met its gaze, fists clenched.

[We can't give it another chance. This ends now.]

"Corwin! Together!" Hunnt shouted.

Corwin's hammer rose. Hunnt's fists tightened. Pyro's sword gleamed.

They struck as one.

Hunnt's gauntlet slammed into the Lynx's skull, Corwin's hammer crushed into its ribs, and Pyro's SnS drove into its throat. The combined force cracked bone, split flesh, and with a shuddering roar, the Shadowclaw Lynx collapsed in a heap, its body twitching once before going still.

The forest fell silent. Only their ragged breaths remained.

Hunnt lowered his fists, blood dripping from his knuckles. He staggered back, shoulders heaving. "It's… it's over."

Pyro sheathed his sword with a satisfied hiss. "Nyaaah… not so scary now, are you?"

Corwin exhaled slowly, leaning on his hammer for a moment before standing tall again. "That was… a real hunt. Harder than anything we've faced."

Hunnt nodded, glancing at the corpse. "It was smart. Fast. Strong. If we hadn't trained this hard, it could've been the end of us."

He turned to Pyro and Corwin, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Good work. We survived because we fought together."

Pyro purred proudly. "Master… we're the best team, nyaah."

Corwin gave a faint chuckle. "We're getting there."

Hunnt crouched near the Lynx's body, running a hand along its dark fur. "We'll take its materials back. The village deserves to know it won't threaten them anymore."

As they began harvesting claws and hide, the weight of the battle settled in. For the villagers, it meant safety. For the hunters, it was proof that their training, their Rokushiki, and their teamwork had forged them into something more than survivors.

Hunnt glanced at his bloodied gauntlets, the ache in his hands throbbing. [I'll need to make them stronger… my fists… everything. This world won't stop testing us.]

Together, the three hunters turned back toward the village, the fallen Shadowclaw Lynx in tow. The forest was silent once more, the predator's reign ended. But Hunnt knew in his heart—this was only the beginning.

——————————————————————————————————————

✨ Hi amazing readers! ✨

I'm beyond excited to share not just one, but two epic stories with you!

📖 Final Fantasy: The Unwritten

Step into the vast multiverse of Final Fantasy—where heroes, destinies, and untold adventures intertwine in ways you've never seen before.

⚔️ Renegade: Arsenal of War

Follow the journey of a relentless tech soldier who forges groundbreaking weapons to end the war once and for all.

Your support means the world to me—every read, comment, and share helps bring these stories to life. 🌌🔥 Together, let's explore the unwritten and fight through the arsenal of war!

Thank you for being part of this adventure. Let's dive in! ✨

——————————————————————————————————————

More Chapters