Lila's cry for help pierced the air, and Kai's head snapped in her direction. His eyes widened in alarm as he took in the scene before him. Lila was on the ground, her legs bleeding profusely as three young wolves charged towards her. Their jaws were open wide, revealing razor-sharp teeth, and their eyes gleamed with a hungry ferocity.
Kai's instincts kicked in, and he tried to run towards Lila, but Crimson Moon blocked his way. The alpha wolf's eyes seemed to burn with an inner fire, and its fur stood on end, making it appear even larger and more intimidating.
Kai's face twisted in a snarl as he shouted, "Out of my way, doggy! I don't have time for you!" He charged at Crimson Moon, his sword flashing in the sunlight as he struck. But the wolf was too fast, dodging and weaving between Kai's attacks with ease.
Crimson Moon counterattacked, its jaws snapping wildly as it tried to bite down on Kai. But Kai was too quick, dodging and sidestepping the wolf's attacks with a fluidity that belied his rage. He struck back at Crimson Moon, his sword slicing through the air in deadly arcs.
The two combatants clashed, their movements a blur as they exchanged blow for blow. The sound of their battle echoed through the forest, a cacophony of snarls, growls, and clashing steel. The air was filled with the scent of sweat, blood, and ozone, and the ground trembled beneath their feet.
But despite his best efforts, Kai couldn't shake off Crimson Moon. The wolf was too powerful, too fast, and too relentless. It blocked Kai's way, refusing to let him pass, and Kai's frustration grew with every passing moment.
He glanced over at Lila, who was still on the ground, her eyes filled with fear. She was trying to defend herself, but the three young wolves were too much for her. They were closing in, their jaws snapping wildly, and Lila's shield of magical energy was starting to crack.
Kai's heart sank, and his rage grew. He shouted, "Lila, run!" But Lila didn't move. She was trapped, and Kai knew it.
Tamer's voice cut through the chaos, his words dripping with malice. "Some team leader you are, can't you see that she's hurt her leg and can't walk?"
Kai ignored Tamer's taunt and shouted, "Shinji, save Lila!" But Shinji was still engaged in battle with the elder wolves.
Shinji's sword flashed in swift arcs as he dodged and weaved between the elder wolves' attacks. He struck one wolf's exposed flank, the blade biting deep into its side. The wolf yelped in pain, stumbling backward as Shinji sidestepped its snapping jaws. But there were too many wolves, and Shinji was starting to get overwhelmed.
"I'm stuck, Kai!" Shinji shouted back, his voice strained with effort.
Kai's eyes blazed with fury as he slashed at Crimson Moon, but the wolf jumped into the air, dodging the attack with ease. As Crimson Moon was in mid-air, Kai threw his sword, striking the wolf's leg and injuring it.
Crimson Moon yelped in pain, its leg buckling beneath it. But it refused to back down, its eyes fixed on Kai with a hungry gleam. It limped forward, its jaws snapping wildly, and Kai knew he had to end this fight quickly.
Tamer's voice cut through the chaos once more. "Here's a little secret, Kai: defeat Crimson Moon, and all the wolves in its pack will die. So choose: save your lady friend or kill Crimson Moon and get to leave this place with at least one teammate alive."
Kai's gaze locked onto Lila, who was struggling to maintain a shield of magical energy around herself. The shield was starting to crack, and Lila's eyes were filled with fear.
Kai charged forward, his fists flying as he struck Crimson Moon with a flurry of punches. The wolf stumbled backward, its eyes dazed, and Kai took advantage of the opening. He ran towards Lila, Crimson Moon limping behind him.
Tamer shouted, "You have 30 seconds left, Kai, to defeat all the wolves!" But Kai ignored him, his focus solely on saving Lila.
As he reached Lila's side, he saw that she was struggling to maintain a shield of magical energy around herself. The shield was starting to crack, and Lila's eyes were filled with fear.
"Forget about me, Kai!" Lila shouted, her voice trembling with fear. "Kill the alpha wolf!"
Kai shouted, "Shut up, Lila! I'm the team leader here, and I make the rules! So if I want to save you and put all of our lives in danger, I will do so! Am I right, Shinji?"
Shinji, who was still in battle with the elder wolves, replied, shouting back, "Of course, we'll risk our lives for each other, Kai!"
Kai smiled, his eyes gleaming with determination. He charged at the two young wolves that were still attacking Lila. But as he reached for his sword, he realized it wasn't there. He had thrown it at Crimson Moon earlier.
For a moment, Kai was confused. He looked around frantically, wondering what to do next. But then his eyes landed on the remaining four young wolves, which were now charging towards him.
Kai's mind racing, he remembered the small pocket knife he always carried with him. He quickly pulled it out of his pocket.
The two young wolves in front of him were now mere feet away, their jaws open wide. Kai stood his ground, his eyes fixed on the wolves. He dodged to the side, avoiding the first wolf's attack, and struck out with his pocket knife, aiming for the wolf's exposed neck. The blade bit deep, and the wolf yelped in pain as it fell to the ground.
The second wolf was quicker, its teeth snapping wildly as it attacked. Kai jumped back, avoiding the wolf's bite by mere inches. He countered with a swift kick, striking the wolf's stomach and sending it tumbling to the ground.
The remaining four young wolves were now upon him, their teeth and claws flashing in the sunlight. Kai dodged and weaved between their attacks, his pocket knife striking out in quick, precise jabs. He aimed for their eyes, their necks, and their legs, using his agility and quick reflexes to avoid their snapping jaws.
One wolf lunged at him, its teeth bared, but Kai sidestepped the attack and struck out with his pocket knife, slicing through the wolf's ear. The wolf yelped in pain and stumbled backward, giving Kai the opening he needed to take down the next wolf.
As the last young wolf fell, Kai turned to Lila, who was still on the ground, her legs bleeding profusely. He quickly cut a piece of his clothing and used it to stop Lila's bleeding. Lila's eyes widened in surprise as Kai's hands touched her skin, and she began to blush, her cheeks turning a deep shade of pink.
Kai's eyes met Lila's, and he smiled, his voice low and gentle. "Lila, how are—"
But before he could finish his sentence, Crimson Moon appeared, its eyes blazing with anger. Kai's head snapped up, his eyes locking onto the alpha wolf.
Kai looked at Lila and put on a fake smile. "Just lie down and leave this to me, you've done your part. Now let me do mine."
Kai stood up, his eyes fixed on Crimson Moon, which was still limping from the injury he had inflicted earlier.
Tamer's voice cut through the air, his words dripping with malice. "Time's up, Kai. Now I join the fight."
Tamer stood up, his movements slow and deliberate. He walked towards Crimson Moon's side, his eyes fixed on the alpha wolf. As he reached out and touched Crimson Moon's injured leg, a surge of energy flowed through the wolf's body, healing its wounds.
Kai's eyes narrowed, his grip on the pocket knife tightening. He stood in front of Lila, protecting her from harm.
Tamer's voice was like a knife cutting through the air. "Crimson Moon, attack! This one," he pointed at Shinji, "is all yours. And this one," he pointed at Kai, "is all mine."
Tamer's smile was like a cold wind, sending shivers down Kai's spine. It was a smile that promised pain, suffering, and death.