The forest outside the Balmount Kingdom was alive with motion, leaves rustling as the wind howled through the trees. Sunlight barely pierced the dense canopy, and the air was thick with tension.
Syl tore through the underbrush, gasping for breath, her golden hair wild and soaked with sweat. Her eyes were wide, frantic, darting back to glimpse the nightmare chasing her.
"I can't do this anymore! Somebody help me!" she screamed, voice cracking with fear.
A thunderous roar split the air—deep, guttural, and furious. The Ironfur Bear crashed through the forest, its massive frame tearing through trees like paper. Metal-like fur glinted in the fading light, and its golden eyes locked onto Syl, burning with rage.
Syl's legs burned, every step sending jolts of pain through her muscles. She bit back a sob, fear clawing at her throat. Why did I think I could take this thing? she thought, fighting the panic threatening to consume her. I should have listened to Kibo!
The bear lunged, its paw swiping inches from her back. She shrieked and ducked, rolling through the dirt and scrambling up with raw desperation. The creature's roar slammed into her like a physical force, shaking the ground beneath her feet.
High above, Kibo moved like a shadow, leaping from branch to branch, his blue eyes locked on the chaos below. He caught sight of Syl stumbling into a clearing—Lily and Sora were already there, eyes widening as Syl collapsed into Lily's arms, trembling.
"Help me!" Syl sobbed, burying her face in Lily's shoulder.
Lily held her tight, whispering calming words. "It's okay. You're safe now."
Sora adjusted her glasses, her gaze hardening. Her mind churned with thoughts, but her face remained cold and focused. She's lucky Kibo was watching...
The bear's roar ripped through the clearing as it barreled forward, fury radiating from its body. Just before it could reach them, a blur shot down from the trees—Kibo slammed his heel into the bear's skull with a deafening CRACK! The ground buckled, dust erupting around them. Syl and Lily were blown back, shielding their faces from the shockwave.
The bear stumbled, dazed but not down. Kibo landed in a crouch, breathing hard, eyes blazing with excitement. "That's how you greet a monster," he muttered, a wild grin on his face.
The bear shook off the hit, snarling viciously. Kibo barely moved before it lunged at him, claws whistling through the air. He twisted aside, but pain flared across his shoulder as claws ripped through his tunic, drawing blood.
In his mind, Ignis laughed—a cold, mocking sound that rattled his bones. Pathetic. One hit and you're already bleeding? Are you trying to die, brat?
Kibo wiped the blood from his mouth, eyes sparking with something fierce. "oh give me a break... I'm just getting warmed up."
Warmed up to die? Or are you planning to amuse me with something worthwhile? Ignis taunted.
The bear roared again, louder this time—fur bristling, eyes blazing with animal rage. Kibo took a breath, his heart pounding like a war drum. He gripped his katana, knuckles white, and stepped forward. "You're not taking me down that easy," he growled.
The beast charged, its massive body like a freight train. Kibo ducked under a sweeping claw and drove his blade upward—CLANG! Sparks flew as the katana glanced off its iron-like fur. He barely had time to curse before the bear's paw hammered into his side, launching him into a tree with a bone-crunching impact.
"Gah—!" Blood spewed from Kibo's mouth as he hit the ground hard, his ribs screaming in pain. He forced himself to stand, legs trembling like brittle sticks. The bear didn't wait—charging forward with a furious roar that shook the very earth.
Get up, idiot! Ignis sneered, his voice dripping with savage disdain. You think you'll survive if you just lie there?
Kibo spat blood onto the ground, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. His breath was ragged, but his eyes burned with a wild, unyielding fury. The bear barreled toward him, and Kibo moved on instinct—sidestepping just in time and slicing at its flank. The blade skidded off the metallic fur with a hollow clang, barely leaving a mark.
Pathetic! Hit harder, brat! Ignis barked. Or are you just gonna whimper and die like a dog?
Kibo clenched his teeth, fury seething under his skin. The pain throbbed through his ribs, but he didn't care. He glared at the beast, his grip tightening around his katana. "I'm not dying here," he growled, his voice laced with raw defiance. "You're gonna fall... even if I have to tear you apart with my bare hands!"
The bear's eyes gleamed with primal rage, and it lunged forward, claws swiping like iron scythes. Kibo ducked, rolling to the side as the massive paw smashed the ground where he'd been standing. He struck out at its leg, aiming for the tendon, but the blade barely scratched the surface. A claw nicked his side, ripping his tunic and drawing blood, but he barely flinched, more focused on the beast's movements than his own wounds.
Move faster! Ignis snarled. Your bones are breaking, brat, but you don't get to fall! If you're gonna live, fight like a monster!
A twisted grin broke across Kibo's face, his eyes wide and wild. A low, guttural laugh bubbled up from his chest and burst out—deep, maniacal, and filled with reckless thrill. "Ahahahaha!" The sound was sharp and eerie, echoing through the forest and sending chills down Syl's spine.
The bear hesitated, almost as if unnerved by the human's crazed joy. Kibo lunged forward, his katana singing as he aimed for the bear's eye. The beast recoiled, the tip grazing its brow, drawing a shallow line of blood. The creature roared, its fury redoubled, and charged again.
Kibo felt the sharp sting of his side wound, but something else was happening—his muscles didn't ache as much, and the bleeding had slowed. He didn't notice it, too lost in the adrenaline, but Sora did. Her sharp gaze caught the subtle mending of his injuries, and for the first time, a tiny, almost imperceptible grin tugged at the corner of her mouth.
Interesting... she thought. There's something about him.
The bear howled, rearing up on its hind legs, towering over Kibo. Its roar shattered the air, pure power radiating from its massive frame. Kibo's eyes blazed, and he rushed in, ducking under a claw and slashing at the creature's exposed belly. The blade scraped against iron-like fur, but a small patch of blood appeared—a sign of progress.
Don't hesitate! Ignis's voice was harsher now, almost coaxing. That's it! Keep slashing! Bleed it dry! Or are you just gonna let it crush you?!
The bear came down hard, paws smashing the ground as Kibo darted left, barely avoiding the crushing weight. His chest burned, but he didn't stop—he kept moving, relentless, his strikes growing bolder and more precise. He aimed for the same wound, slicing at it repeatedly, widening the gash little by little.
Blood streaked down Kibo's arm, but he hardly noticed. The more he fought, the clearer his mind became—like the pain sharpened his senses. He laughed again, shorter this time but just as unhinged, his spirit unbroken despite his battered body.
Syl's hands trembled as she watched, barely breathing. "How... how is he still standing?"
Lily tightened her grip on her dagger, eyes wide. "Don't... lose kibo..."
Sora's smirk grew just a fraction, her gaze fixed on Kibo. You keep impressing me, Kibo... your ability is outstanding, but you won't win the fight.
The bear lunged with unexpected speed, its jaw snapping inches from Kibo's face. He didn't flinch—instead, he drove his katana down on its nose, using the momentum to vault backward and land in a crouch, panting but grinning.
"Come on!" he roared back, his voice fierce and unwavering. "I'm not done yet!"
The bear snorted, shaking its head, blood dripping from its muzzle. Kibo stood tall, wiping the sweat from his brow, his breathing heavy but his spirit unbreakable. Ignis's laughter rumbled in his head, low and sinister, but with a strange sense of approval.
Don't you dare break now, brat. Prove you're worth staying alive.