Odyssey Of Survival

The beast stood before Nate, its heavy breaths echoing in the dense atmosphere, its powerful muscles twitching as it realized there was no escape. It had been driven into a corner, its usual paths of retreat blocked, its predatory instincts now clashing with the bitter truth that there was only one option left—to fight.

The beast's body was monstrous, its limbs long and sinewy, its sharp, jagged claws glinting under the dim light. Its skin was rough and layered, resembling cracked stone with streaks of dark crimson running along its form. But despite its intimidating presence, Nate had no fear. He had tracked it down, watching its movements, predicting its patterns, leading it to this very moment.

Then, without warning, the beast threw its head back and let out a piercing scream, the sound so loud it sent a sharp pulse through the air.

And then—it charged.

Nate's lips curled slightly, his grip tightening around the iron rod slung across his back. "That's more like it," he muttered, his own feet pushing off the ground as he surged forward to meet the creature's attack head-on.

In a blur of motion, the two clashed. The beast lunged, its massive claws slicing through the air with a force that could tear flesh from bone, but Nate was already moving. With a sharp, controlled swing, he brought the rod in front of him, deflecting the beast's attack with such precision that the impact sent a harsh vibration through his arms but did nothing to slow him down.

The moment the strike was parried, Nate shifted, using his other hand to deliver a brutal punch straight to the beast's throat.

His fist slammed into the creature's windpipe with a force that cracked the air around them. The impact was devastating. The beast's eyes widened in shock as it let out a strangled, broken sound, its breath hitching, struggling to draw air.

Its knees buckled.

It collapsed, tried to rise, but collapsed again, its body convulsing as its throat caved in on itself. Its claws scratched weakly against the ground as it attempted to regain control, but Nate didn't hesitate.

Stepping forward, he swung his rod downward with merciless precision, the iron striking the beast's legs with a sickening crunch. Bone shattered beneath the force, the once-powerful limbs now reduced to useless fragments.

The beast let out a pained, guttural sound.

But Nate wasn't finished.

Raising the rod once more, he delivered the final blow, crushing the beast's neck completely. A deep, hollow crack resounded as the creature spasmed one last time—and then it lay still.

Silence followed.

Nate exhaled, the adrenaline slowly settling. Looking down at the lifeless form of the beast, he found himself faced with a different challenge.

Now that it was dead, he needed to retrieve its crystal.

The problem was, he had no idea where to find it. His gaze traveled over the beast's mangled body, scanning its thick hide.

After a moment of consideration, he decided to start with the head.

Sliding his rod back onto his back, Nate clenched his fist and drove it into the beast's skull.

The impact was solid, unyielding. The tough skin didn't give way immediately, but a closer look revealed something—a small, almost imperceptible network of cracks forming along the surface.

Encouraged, Nate struck again.

This time, the skin shattered. The hardened exterior gave way like broken stone, revealing a mess of blood and flesh beneath. It was grotesque, the smell thick in the air, but Nate pushed past the discomfort and searched through the ruined remains.

Then—he saw it.

Amidst the carnage, there was a glow, faint but unmistakable.

Nate reached in, his fingers wrapping around the object buried within. He pulled it free, lifting the crystal into the dim light.

It was smooth yet firm, pulsating faintly as if it was alive. The glow wasn't just light—it was energy, something ancient and powerful. He could feel it thrumming beneath his touch, as if it recognized him, as if it was waiting for him.

Frowning, he tore a strip of fabric from his robe and wiped the blood from the crystal.@@novelbin@@

Now holding it in his palm, he stared at it, uncertain.

What was he supposed to do with it?

But before the question could fully form in his mind, the crystal began to change.

It pulsed, and then—it dissolved.

Nate's eyes widened in shock as the solid form of the crystal turned to a swirling gaseous substance, twisting and curling like mist before sinking into his pores.

A jolt of power shot through him.

His breath caught as he felt something surge within him, something foreign yet strangely familiar. His muscles tensed, his skin prickling as a rush of energy flooded his veins. For a brief moment, the world around him seemed distant, his senses shifting, expanding.

And then, as the sensation reached its peak, lightning sparked in his eyes.

---

Meni paced back and forth, his movements frantic and restless, his heavy breathing almost as loud as the crackling fire nearby. His hands clenched and unclenched, his fingers twitching with restrained rage as his mind replayed what had happened to Hapu over and over again. His face was dark with fury, his jaw clenched so tightly that it seemed like his teeth might shatter.

Tiaa, kneeling beside Hapu, worked quickly to wrap a cloth around what remained of his arm, her fingers moving with urgency despite the exhaustion that was creeping into her limbs. Hapu's face was drenched in sweat, his breathing ragged and uneven, his body shivering from both pain and shock. He had lost a lot of blood, and though the bleeding had slowed, it was clear that he was barely hanging on.

Meni continued muttering under his breath, his voice a mixture of rage and desperation. "Where is he? Where is he? I swear, I'll kill him." His words were venomous, his entire body shaking with emotion.

And then, as if summoned by his rage, Nate walked into sight.

The moment Meni's eyes landed on him, something inside him snapped. With a furious growl, he launched himself forward, his feet pounding against the dirt, his expression twisted with blind rage. In an instant, he grabbed Nate's robe, his grip so tight that the fabric bunched in his fist.

Tiaa, startled by his sudden movement, turned sharply, her voice urgent as she spoke. "Meni, whatever you're thinking, don't do it."

But Meni wasn't listening.

With his free hand, he pulled back his fist, his knuckles whitening as he swung it down with all his strength, aiming straight for Nate's face.

But just as the blow was about to land—

Nate moved.

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His hand shot up with unnatural speed, his fingers closing around Meni's wrist like a steel trap. Meni's eyes widened in shock as he felt his attack come to an abrupt stop, his fist caught mid-air as though it had slammed into an invisible wall.

Nate's gaze lifted, his expression eerily calm. Then, with a slight tilt of his head, he twisted Meni's wrist.

A sickening crack echoed through the air.

Meni let out a piercing scream, his body jerking as pain shot through his arm. He stumbled, his knees nearly buckling, but before he could react further—

Nate drove a powerful kick into his chest.

The impact sent Meni flying backward, his body crashing onto the ground with a heavy thud, dust and dirt rising around him. He groaned in pain, curling slightly as he gasped for air, his rage momentarily replaced by stunned silence.

The entire group stood frozen, their jaws hanging open as they watched Nate deal with Meni as if he were nothing more than an unruly child. Shock, disbelief, and even a hint of fear flickered in their eyes.

Nobody had expected that.

And for the first time, Meni wasn't the one everyone feared anymore.

****

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