Chapter 04: The Midnightshadow Panther
In the midst of the chaos, the Humbledarkfire Badger continued to emit its "Dark Emberscratch," and the forest seemed to echo with the crackling of the dark flames. Karna, determined to protect his friends, knew they couldn't afford to let the beast unleash its full power. He could feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins as he gripped his makeshift weapon, a blend of wood and metal.
With a trembling but resolute hand, Karna took a deep breath and swung his weapon downward. His heart pounded in his chest as the blade made contact with the beast's fur-covered neck. The weapon wasn't designed for this kind of battle, but Karna's determination and the energy coursing through him added force to his strike.
The blade sliced through the thick fur and into the flesh beneath. Blood spurted from the wound, and the badger let out a pained yelp. It staggered back, disoriented and weakened, but it still hadn't given up.
Deeru, though nursing a sprained leg, saw the opportunity. With a swift, determined move, he lunged forward and thrust his short sword towards the beast's side. His strike wasn't as powerful as Karna's, but it found its mark, adding to the creature's injuries.
The badger was now visibly wounded, but it refused to back down. Its dark fire crackled around it, but the flames were weaker, flickering like a dying ember. The forest seemed to hold its breath as the disciples faced off against the once-passive creature.
Anurag, previously fearful and terrified, pushed through the chaos and joined the fray. He glimpsed the fear in the badger's eyes, its aggression waning as it realized it was outnumbered and outmatched. With one final, desperate swipe of his weapon, Anurag managed to knock the creature off balance.
Karna seized the opportunity. He stepped forward, his face a mask of determination, and delivered a finishing blow to the now-vulnerable beast. The blade sliced cleanly through the creature's neck, severing its connection to the dark power within.
The Humbledarkfire Badger let out one last haunting cry before collapsing to the ground, lifeless. The dark flames were extinguished, leaving only the sounds of the forest returning to its natural state.
The disciples stood there, panting, their bodies aching from the intense battle. Karna wiped the sweat from his brow and turned to his friends. "We did it," he said, a mixture of relief and pride in his voice. "We faced the unexpected and overcame it."
Deeru, still nursing his injured leg, nodded in agreement. "We can't underestimate anything in this forest. Every challenge is a lesson, and we've just learned one the hard way."
Sachin let out a tired chuckle. "Who would've thought a Humbledarkfire Badger could give us such a fight?"
Suddenly, an astonishing change occurred within the beast's lifeless corpse. It began to melt, disintegrating into dust, leaving behind only the red-horn.
Karna, bewildered by the sight, exclaimed, "What the hell!" Their hard-fought battle had left them with nothing but a pair of red horns.
Anurag added, "I believe this has something to do with our test. Otherwise, what in the world could make the entire body and blood of the beast vanish?"
Sachin raised his head, examining the situation. "Look, the bloodstains on our bodies have disappeared. Bhai Karna, let's examine the horn and decide our next steps."
The elder monk, who had been observing them from afar, muttered, "These kids are truly fortunate. They've found their way to the cave."
Karna approached the horn, taking it into his hand. He could sense a faint trace of dark power, different from what he had experienced while sparring with his master. He turned it over, revealing a number engraved upon it.
"1/10," he remarked. "I believe we must hunt down nine more of these creatures to uncover the path to the cave."
"Nine more!" Deeru exclaimed in shock.
As they caught their breath and tended to their wounds, the disciples recognized that their journey through the forest was far from over. They had successfully passed their first test, yet it was clear that numerous mysteries and dangers awaited them in the heart of the woods. With newfound respect for the enigmatic secrets of the forest, they pressed onward, determined to unearth the clues to the Deva's trail and prove their worth as disciples of their Master.
They started to move forward to the unknown clues. Their hope for the future and the forest which ignited after the continuous fights in the forest helped them to adapt fast to the situation. Although it was their first adventure together, they did everything in harmony. Even Karna who lead a secluded life with his revered master adapted very quickly with the group as the continued forward.
The unknown beasts and dangers were waiting for them. As a saying in goes, 'you can't always get what you want.' They cannot complain their path was difficult or so dire which lead them to their deaths. If you want to acquire power, you need to work harder, suffer pain, and struggle through the worst difficulties.
Their movements weren't so fast or noisy but rigid and carefull. But beasts, they are good hunters when you are weak. They appear in front of you all of a sudden and attack with full strength when they feel you are a weak target.
As they caught their breath and tended to their wounds, the disciples realized that their journey through the forest was far from over. Although they had successfully passed their first test, it was evident that numerous mysteries and dangers still awaited them in the heart of the woods. With newfound respect for the enigmatic secrets of the forest, they pressed onward, determined to unearth the clues to the Deva's trail and prove their worth as disciples of their Master.
Their collective hope for the future and the forest ignited after the continuous battles they had faced, propelling them forward into the unknown. Despite this being their first adventure together, they moved in perfect harmony. Even Karna, who had led a secluded life with his revered master, adapted quickly to the group dynamic as they continued their journey.
Unknown beasts and dangers lurked in the shadows, and as the saying goes, "you can't always get what you want." They couldn't complain about the path being difficult or perilous; it was the path they had chosen to acquire power, and it demanded hard work, enduring pain, and overcoming the worst difficulties.
Their movements were not swift or noisy but measured and cautious. They had learned that in this forest, beasts were cunning hunters, striking suddenly when they sensed weakness. The disciples remained vigilant, maintaining a distance between them like a well-practiced war formation, ready to thwart any sudden beastly attacks.
Suddenly, a distortion in the shadows under the dark clouds caught their attention. Each of them, despite the distance, noticed the subtle changes in their surroundings. Their instincts sent shivers down their spines as they watched a beast emerge from the shifting shadows, a presence that had gone unnoticed until now.
Sachin cried in horror ," the midnightshadow panther"