The Dire Fang was super fast for how big it was.
One moment it was standing at the edge of the firelight.
The next it was already inside the camp.
"Move!" the instructor yelled.
His voice cut through the air just as the beast slammed into the line.
Two students were too slow to react.
The impact sent them flying backward rolling hard across the dirt.
One of them cried out as his staff slipped from his grip.
The Dire Fang did not stop.
It twisted mid-motion its claws tearing through the ground as it redirected itself toward the target.
Rauk stepped forward.
His sword met the Dire Fangs fang.
The sound of steel on fang rang out as Rauks sword barely caught the creatures jaws before they snapped shut.
The force of it pushed him steps his boots digging into the soil.
"It's heavy " he grunted.
The Dire Fang shoved forward again.
Rauk slid backward.
Takemis body moved before his thoughts caught up.
He grabbed a stone from near the fire, an one and stepped into position.
He took a breath focused and then threw the stone.
The stone shot forward. Hit the Dire Fang directly in the eye.
The creature recoiled instantly letting out a snarl as it jerked its head back.
"Rauk, now!" Takemi yelled.
Rauk did not hesitate.
He twisted his blade. Slashed upward.
The sword cut across the Dire Fangs shoulder. Not as deep as it should have.
The blade scraped more than it sliced and sparks flickered briefly.
The Dire Fangs fur was not fur. It was hardened like steel bristles.
The Dire Fang swung its paw.
Rauk barely raised his sword in time.
The impact sent him skidding sideways crashing into the dirt.
"Rauk!" Takemi yelled.
"I'm fine!" Rauk shouted back already forcing himself up.
Takemi could see that Rauks arms were shaking.
The instructor commanded, "Spread out do not let it focus on one target."
Two students began chanting forming a fire spell between them.
A small orb of flame ignited and shot toward the Dire Fang.
It exploded against its side. Barely did anything.
The beast flinched, then turned its head toward them.
Takemis stomach dropped.
"That pissed it off " he said.
The Dire Fang lunged again this time toward the casters.
They froze, slow to react.
Takemi moved. He did not think, he did not plan he just ran.
He grabbed another stone. Threw it.
The rock hit the Dire Fangs jaw just before it reached the students.
Its head snapped sideways its trajectory thrown off enough that it missed.
Its claws tore through the ground where the students had been standing.
"Run!" Takemi yelled.
The students scrambled back panic finally kicking in.
The creature turned again this time toward Takemi.
Their eyes met. The Dire Fangs eyes were amber, sharp and focused.
Takemi felt it instantly. "Yeah now it's personal " he said.
The Dire Fang lowered its body, its muscles tightening.
It was not charging wildly anymore. It was watching Takemi tracking him like it understood.
Takemi slowly stepped backward.
"Okay " he said, his grip tightening around the stone.
The forest seemed to quiet. Everything narrowed it was just him and the Dire Fang.
The Dire Fang moved, not a charge, a sudden burst forward testing Takemi.
Takemi threw the stone. It hit the Dire Fangs shoulder. There was no reaction.
The beast closed the distance instantly.
Takemi barely rolled to the side as the Dire Fangs claws tore into the ground where he had been standing.
He hit the ground hard the air knocked out of his lungs.
He scrambled, grabbing another stone blindly.
The Dire Fang turned again fast too fast.
Takemi threw again this time aiming for the eye. The stone grazed past missing its target.
"Damn it " he said.
Rauk re-entered the fight from the side slashing low at the Dire Fangs legs.
This time the blade bit, a cut.
The Dire Fang spun, forcing Rauk back again.
Lira stepped forward chanting under her breath.
A thin spike of stone shot up from the ground. Struck the Dire Fangs underside.
This time it pierced, barely enough to draw blood.
The beast roared. The sound shook the air Takemi felt it in his chest.
"So it's not invincible " he said.
It was not enough. Not even close. The wound was shallow already slowing its bleeding.
The Dire Fang turned toward Lira.
Takemis heart dropped.
"Lira!" he yelled.
She froze for half a second.
The Dire Fang lunged.
Takemi ran, no plan, no angle, instinct.
He grabbed a stone. Threw it with everything he had.
The stone hit the side of the Dire Fangs skull hard to make its entire body jerk sideways.
It staggered for a second. That second was enough.
Lira stumbled back barely avoiding its claws.
Takemi dropped to one knee breathing hard.
"That one hurt " he said.
So did his arm. A sharp pain shot from his shoulder down to his elbow.
" force, too little control " he said.
The group regrouped slightly everyone breathing now cautious more afraid.
The Dire Fang stood a distance away strong still dangerous barely injured.
Takemi wiped sweat from his face.
"This isn't like the lynx " he said.
Rauk nodded.
"No " he said.
The instructor stepped forward.
"This is a high-tier predator " he said.
"What does that mean?" Takemi asked.
"It's not something you're meant to defeat head-on " the instructor replied.
Takemi let out a laugh.
"Would've been nice to know " he said.
The Dire Fang lowered its body again. This time it was not rushing. It was circling, slowly patiently waiting for an opening.
Like it knew they were getting tired like it knew it was winning.
Takemi clenched his jaw. His arm still throbbed his throws were not as sharp anymore his breathing was heavier.
"We can't drag this out " he said.
The instructor nodded slightly.
"Agreed " he said.
Takemi looked at the beast again toward the ruins in the distance the platform, the sound, from earlier Tok.
A thought crossed his mind. One, an one.
"I have an idea " he said.
Rauk glanced at him.
"I don't like that tone " he said.
"Yeah " Takemi said, standing up slowly.
"Me neither " he said.
The Dire Fang suddenly lunged again. Takemi stepped forward to meet it.