Kain’s hands trembled under the unrelenting force.
The beast’s tail was relentless, each snap and swing was deadly precise, its jagged edge screeching against the surface of Kain’s shield.
Each and every impact sent vibrations through his arms, rattling his bonds, and numbing his fingers.
Sparks flew everywhere, steel grinding against steel.
The beast didn’t let the onslaught stop.
It pressed with overwhelming ferocity.
*CLANG! *CLANG ! *CLANG *CLANG!
Its bladed tail striked Kain’s shield again and and again and again—twisting and going different angles, finding an opening that could successfully strike Kain from behind the shield.
Then ca the
*SNAP!
A sudden whip of force and montum as the tail of the creature struck Kain’s shield even more powerfully.
*CRACK!
Kain’s shield was violently knocked back, the blow sending his body stumbling as his boots scraped across the ground.
At the sa ti, his arms flew upward from the force of the strike, leaving his body briefly exposed.
For that split second, he was wide open.
There it is, the opening—the very opening the beast was finding.
But he clenched his teeth, muscles clenching through the pain as Kain forced the feeling back into his arms.
His left arm whipped downward instantly, snapping the shield back into place.
Just in ti.
The beast lunged towards him, its roar tearing through the air like a blade—shaking the trees around.
*Thud! *Thud! *THUD *THUD!
The ground quaked beneath its heavy steps.
Kain braced, his arms tensed, his teeth gritted.
Then
*BANG!
One of the beast’s massive arms swiped sideways like a battering ram whilst extending its massive claws.
Its claws glead faintly as five serrated talons went straight towards Kain’s shield.
*CRASH!
The impact was almost deafening as Kain’s entire body reeled, his boots nearly lifting from the ground as sparks bursted from the point of contact from his shield.
The shield could not hold the beast’s attack as a long ragged claw mark was torn across its surface.
It was caved, dented, and warped from the sheer force of the flow.
It had survived the Jerkkaen, the earlier beast—but not this strike, not this beast.
Kain retreated, leaping backwards before looking at the dented and broken shield on his left arm.
Once a wall, unbreakable—now simply weight.
Useless.
Kain then unclasped the shield from his arm, letting it slide from his arm before dropping down the ground with a heavy thud.
Silence then followed.
The beast stood several feet away, watching as it tilted its massive head, eyes glinting predatory
Its mouth opened slightly as thick strands of drool flowed outwards, dripping onto the earth.
It knew that its feast was near.
Kain was vulnerable now.
His shield, his line of defense was now broken, laying on the dirt.
Yet the beast remained wary and cautious.
Instead of recoiling in terror, Kain stood firm as he planted his feet towards the ground, knees bent in anticipation.
Kain’s eyes were sharp as they locked on towards the beast with focus.
Both of his hands gripping on the hilt of his sword, his arms ready to strike and swing.
Though fear still lingered sowhere within him, it no longer controlled him as it had already been smothered by the flas of his eidra and his sheer will to change.
Stillness filled the very air that surrounded them, the beast’s paws subtly snapping the twigs from the ground as it paced slowly around Kain—its predatory eyes locked on him.
Then with a sudden
*CRACK!
The beast lunged at him, its massive arms and legs shaking the very earth as it charged towards Kain.
*THUD! *THUD! *THUD! *THUD!
Each heavy step made the very ground rumble as the trees around slightly swayed—the air rippling to the very force its roar emitted as it charged towards Kain.
*ROAR!!!
Kain could feel it, the rumbling from beneath his feet.
He lets out a focused breath, gripping his sword tightly with his fingers.
His heart pounded while his legs tensed—ready to move on his will.
The ti is now.
The beast was now a few feet away from him, its tusks even visible and its figure growing even larger as it ca closer.
His legs tensed, ready to dodge to the side.
NOW!
His mind scread for him to dodge to the right.
Yet before he could, a voice pierced the air.
"DUCK KAIN!" the voice scread, breaking through the air—shooting through Kain’s ears like lightning.
Kain instantly ducked low towards the ground, his head low on the soil yet his eyes were still locked on the beast—which was just a few more feet away from him.
Then there it was.
*krrr... *CRACK!!!
A massive crimson shot forward from behind, cracking with power as currents of lightning arc wrapped around it—distorting the very air that surrounded it.
It travelled for a split second, then
*BANG!
A massive and almost deafening bang filled the air, sending a wave of powerful wind that made Kain’s blonde hair retort backwards.
The powerful blade wind made contact with the beast’s massive arm that it had raised to defend its face.
It cleaved straight through the arm, completely severing it with a crimson pulse as it flew to the air—before falling down the ground with a heavy thud.
*R-ROAR!!!
The beast roared in pain, stumbling and rolling as its severed arm sprayed black blood all over the ground.
Kain took the ti to look behind him to check who was the person that helped him.
His head turned slightly before his eyes widened in realization.
"J-Jinn!" his voice cracked in both relief and surprise.
*Skrrrk!
His boots skidded along the ground before finally fully stopping just beside Kain, his breath ragged as his chest raised and lowered repeatedly.
He must’ve run a long distance, Kain thought, mouth still slightly parted in surprise.
Jinn wiped off the sweat from his brow before releasing a resounding exhale—his arm extending towards Kain, lending him a hand for him to stand up.
"You alright?" he asked before Kain grasped his hand.
"Yeah." Kain replied as he pushed himself up, Jinn performing a yanking motion to help him.
As Kain stood up, he quickly turned towards the beast, eyes narrowing as it locked on its target.
At that mont, Jinn noticed right away.
There was sothing different about Kain...
Not like the usual Kain that would cower behind him, especially in situations like this one.
Jinns stared at him for a few more seconds...
Before realizing.
Kain had grown stronger.
Without a word, Jinn raised Fangeryth, its blade gleaming crimson upon the sunlight that pierced the canopies above.
His fingers tight on the hilt as he aid the blade in a piercing motion.
Kain raised his sword as well, yet his eyes shifted and stared towards Jinn.
He stared at him for a brief mont before locking on the beast, which had already recovered.
Yet deep inside him, deep inside Kain’s mind.
He realized.
That this was the first.
Not behind.
Nor cowering.
The very first ti he stood beside Jinn in a battle.
From a child who always stood behind his friends, trembling and cowering at every given attrition or mishap.
Now a boy who stood in front, sword high and ready for a fight along with the very person he looked up to.
His heart thumped, his mind shouted, and his eidra burned.
Their very first fight together begins.
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