The forest stirred with life — leaves whispering overhead, insects chirping faintly, and the occasional flutter of birds scattering at distant sounds. Yet beneath the peaceful exterior, tension hung thick. Every step the party took carried purpose.
Hunnt walked at the front, fists clenched, eyes sharp as he swept the undergrowth. His senses were alive to every crack of a twig, every overturned leaf, every faint claw mark scored across tree bark.
Above, Pyro darted through branches with feline grace, his golden eyes alert and gleaming. "Master, watch out! Nyaah!" he called as Hunnt ducked beneath a low branch. The Palico's tail flicked with restless energy, his tiny SnS gleaming as he tested its weight.
Behind Hunnt, Corwin moved with silent composure. The hammer resting on his shoulder seemed almost an extension of his body, heavy yet balanced. His voice was low, calm, guiding. "Stay aware of your surroundings. Your bow is only as effective as your positioning." His eyes flicked to Elara briefly. "Remember — Soru for repositioning, Kami-e for dodging. Choose the right one at the right time."
Elara trailed them by a few paces, bow already in her hands. Her fingers brushed the arrows at her quiver, each fletched with monster materials that shimmered faintly in the light. Her chest tightened as she replayed Corwin's lessons in her mind. So this is how they move… precise, fluid, unshakable. If I can master this, I won't fall behind again. Her heart thumped faster.
---
The peace shattered in an instant.
A violent rustle split the silence, followed by a guttural hiss. The underbrush exploded outward as a Forest Fang Lizard lunged into the clearing, scales glistening with damp moss and sharp fangs glinting in the sun. Its long tail whipped like a whip, gouging the dirt as it hissed in fury.
Hunnt's voice rang out immediately, sharp and commanding. "Positions!"
The team responded without hesitation. Corwin shifted silently to flank the beast, hammer raised. Pyro leapt from a tree branch, twisting midair to draw the monster's eyes. Elara tightened her bowstring, sighting down her arrow, her heartbeat pounding in her ears.
The predator's amber eyes flicked between them, tail lashing, then it lunged.
---
Elara's breath caught. Her body screamed at her to freeze, but she forced herself to move. Corwin's words echoed in her mind.
Soru.
She stomped hard, energy compressing into her legs before bursting outward. In the blink of an eye, her body blurred and reappeared behind a tree trunk just as the monster's jaws snapped where she'd been.
Its claws slashed the bark, sending splinters flying.
It worked! she thought, adrenaline flooding her veins. Soru… it really works!
The lizard turned, tail whipping toward her.
Kami-e.
Elara rolled with the swing, her body bending and flowing around the force rather than bracing. Her bow stayed firm in her hands even as she twisted out of reach, the movement so smooth it felt instinctive. She came up from the roll, feet planted, arrow already drawn.
Hunnt's shout anchored her. "Keep your distance, Elara! Aim for weak spots — legs and neck! Move with its momentum, not against it!"
Corwin's calm voice followed. "Don't panic. Soru to reposition, Kami-e to stay alive. Focus."
Pyro flashed past, claws swiping the lizard's face. "Nyahaha! Master, look at her go! Nyaah! She's fast now!"
Elara flushed hotly at his teasing, but the embarrassment melted into determination. I can do this. I'm part of this fight.
---
The battle surged.
Hunnt engaged directly, fists striking with relentless rhythm. He used Soru sparingly, each burst carrying him just out of reach of snapping jaws, countering with heavy gauntlet blows against the lizard's side. Kami-e let him twist past the monster's claws, his movements sharp yet fluid.
Corwin circled wide, his hammer smashing into the beast's limbs with bone-jarring force. A well-placed strike broke one forelimb, sending the creature staggering with a hiss of pain. His expression remained stoic, every swing efficient and deliberate.
Pyro darted around the battlefield like a shadow, claws flashing, his SnS biting into the monster's flank. Every time the beast tried to focus on Hunnt or Elara, Pyro darted forward, yowling, distracting it.
And then there was Elara.
Her arrows loosed one after another, no longer wild or panicked. Each shot was measured, each reposition smooth. She dashed with Soru to new cover, slipping around trees and rocks, then let arrows fly from fresh angles. When the lizard charged her, she flowed with Kami-e, twisting past its claws, her bow always steady.
A shot pierced its shoulder. Another found its thigh. Each strike weakened it further.
---
Sweat dripped down her face, but exhilaration lit her eyes. It works… Soru, Kami-e… I can really move like them. Her bow felt lighter, her arms stronger, her awareness sharper.
She glanced briefly at Corwin — hammer raised high, expression calm and unflinching — and admiration sparked inside her. He makes it look effortless. Maybe… someday, I can ask him to teach me the others. Her cheeks warmed, but she forced herself back to focus.
The monster roared, thrashing wildly. It leapt at Hunnt, jaws wide.
Hunnt planted his feet, bracing. "Now, Elara!"
She dashed sideways with Soru, drawing her bowstring until it creaked. Her arrow glowed faintly with the shimmer of reinforced monster materials. She exhaled, loosed—
The arrow sank deep into the lizard's exposed throat.
It choked, stumbled, and collapsed to the ground, twitching once before falling still.
---
The clearing fell silent but for the sound of their breathing.
Hunnt lowered his fists, sweat dripping down his temples. He looked at Elara, a grin spreading across his face. "Excellent positioning and timing, Elara. You moved perfectly."
Corwin studied her quietly, nodding once in approval. "Good form. You didn't panic. That's what matters."
Pyro bounced over, purring loudly, tail curling. "Nyahaha! Master, she's learning so fast, nyaah! Soon she'll be keeping up with us, nyaah!"
Elara exhaled shakily, lowering her bow. Her cheeks flushed with exhaustion, but a smile tugged at her lips. "I… I really did it."
The pride swelling in her chest was unlike anything she'd felt before. Her body ached, her arms trembled, but the thrill of success surged stronger than fatigue. She had applied Rokushiki in battle. She had stood alongside Hunnt, Corwin, and Pyro — and held her ground.
Hunnt clapped her shoulder. "This is only the beginning. With training, you'll move even faster, strike even harder."
Elara nodded, eyes bright with determination. "Then I'll keep training. I won't stop until I can fight like you all."
The forest was quiet again, but the echoes of the battle lingered. The broken body of the Forest Fang Lizard lay as proof of their teamwork, of Elara's growth. For the first time, she felt truly part of the team — and hungry for the challenges still to come.
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✨ 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!
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