Chapter 47: Confronting the Darkness
The morning sun broke through the canopy of trees, casting long shadows over the campsite. Kazuki awoke with a start, his breath coming in harsh gasps, sweat clinging to his skin. The echoes of the Grizzly's voice lingered in his mind, each syllable dripping with dark promise.
"Accept me, Kazuki. Accept me..."
Kazuki shook his head, pressing the heels of his palms to his eyes. "No. I won't..."
"Kazuki?"
Elara's soft voice pulled him back to reality. She knelt beside him, concern etched deeply into her delicate features. "You were talking in your sleep."
Kazuki forced a weak smile. "Just... a bad dream."
Elara frowned, her eyes searching his face. "Are you sure?"
Before Kazuki could answer, Tara's voice cut through the air. "Hey! We've got company."
Kazuki scrambled to his feet, drawing his sword as he turned to face the direction Tara was staring. Through the trees, the silhouette of a figure approached, moving with slow, deliberate steps.
Elara's hand tightened around her staff. "Who is that?"
The figure stepped into the clearing, revealing a tall, imposing man clad in dark armor. His eyes were sharp, his expression unreadable.
"So, you're the one causing all the commotion in these woods," the man said, his voice cold and deep. "Kazuki, was it?"
Kazuki's grip on his sword tightened. "Who's asking?"
The man smirked, his eyes glinting dangerously. "The name's Rael. And I'm here to test you."
"Test me?" Kazuki echoed, confusion flashing across his face.
Rael's smirk widened as he raised his hand. Dark energy swirled around his palm, coalescing into a menacing black aura. "Let's see if you're worthy of that power inside you."
Kazuki's eyes narrowed. "What do you know about the Grizzly?"
Rael chuckled. "Enough to know that it's going to consume you if you don't learn to control it. Now... show me what you've got."
Without warning, Rael lunged forward, his fist aimed directly at Kazuki's face. Kazuki barely managed to raise his sword in time, the force of the blow sending him skidding back across the dirt.
Elara and Tara rushed forward, but Rael merely glanced at them, his dark aura flaring. "Stay out of this. Unless you want to get hurt."
Elara's jaw clenched, but Kazuki shook his head. "Stay back. This is my fight."
Rael smirked, his dark aura pulsing. "Good. Now, let's see what the Grizzly's vessel is capable of."
Kazuki's breath came in sharp bursts as he steadied himself, the crimson light flickering in his eyes. "I don't need the Grizzly to beat you."
Rael's grin widened. "We'll see."
The clash between them was fierce and relentless. Rael's strikes were brutal, each one backed by dark, crushing force. Kazuki barely managed to block them, his arms trembling under the strain.
[System Alert: Corruption rate rising to 18%. Mental degradation imminent.]
Kazuki gritted his teeth, pushing back against Rael's onslaught. "Shut up! I don't need you!"
But the Grizzly's voice was louder now, its laughter echoing in his mind. "You're weak, Kazuki. Pathetic. Let me out."
Kazuki's vision blurred, the crimson light intensifying. Rael's fist connected with his gut, sending him sprawling to the ground. Pain radiated through his body as he struggled to rise.
Rael loomed over him, eyes glinting. "You're holding back. You're afraid of your own power. Pathetic."
Kazuki's fists clenched, his nails digging into his palms. "I'm... not... afraid."
Rael sneered. "Then prove it."
Kazuki's body trembled as the crimson aura flared around him, the Grizzly's power threatening to break free. In his mind, he could see it — the Grizzly's blood-red eyes, its fangs bared in a wicked grin.
"Accept me, Kazuki. Accept me... and we can crush him together."
Kazuki's breaths came in ragged pants, his mind a chaotic whirl of fear and anger. And as Rael raised his fist for the finishing blow, Kazuki's vision went black.
In the darkness, he could feel the Grizzly's presence, looming, waiting.
"Well, Kazuki?" the Grizzly purred, its voice a sinister echo. "What will it be?"