The ground quaked beneath the pounding fury of the Mother Marshbear's charge. Her scales rippled with tension, claws tearing through dirt and stone as she barreled toward Gabby with unbridled rage. Her roar was primal—echoing with the pain of a threatened mother, thick with killing intent.
But Gabby didn't flinch.
He stood firm, cold gaze meeting her wild eyes without fear. His dagger hovered inches from the cub's neck, gleaming under the moonlight.
But then, the Marshbear stopped.
Its heavy breathing slowed, and its massive paws dug into the ground as it stared ahead. The reason was clear, Gabby had slightly buried the tip of his dagger into the Marshbear's cub, just enough to draw a small drop of blood.
The cub let out a soft, crying growl, struggling to break free from Gabby's grip. Its tiny body wiggled, but Gabby held it firmly.
The Marshbear's expression changed.
