"Rin! Look out!"
Freya's voice cut through the night, louder than the growl behind us.
But she didn't have to say it. I could sense it already.
I ducked, feeling a breath of wind right on my neck as the beast's large paw went right above my head. Soon after, I took a step back, shielding Freya with my right hand as I sized up the monster.
A huge figure with black fur emerged in front of me, standing on two feet, twice as tall as I was. It growled, baring teeth as sharp as daggers. Its eyes were red and fierce, and on its head was a pair of crooked horns.
"What is that?" Freya asked, her eyes widening.
"Nothing good," I muttered, "It's a Direbear."
The Direbear growled, as if acknowledging its own name. Then it bared its teeth once again, approaching me with a slow, deliberate pace.
"Stay back, Stormborn," Freya sneered, revealing her dagger. "This one's mine."
"Freya wait..."
She charged toward the beast, yelling out a spell.
"Nature Affinity: Vine Surge."
