Sezel clenched his jaw, grip locked on the katana until he felt the blood rushing from his knuckles. A silent tilt of his head sent Mari behind him—she moved quickly, almost instinctively, shadowing the distance he needed. Sezel's body fell into practiced movement, every muscle engaged for silence, the predator's slow dance.
He stepped forward. The brittle snap of a twig shattered the hush—the woodland equivalent of stepping on a landmine. The lizard tore away from its grisly feast, eyes the color of faded gold. Its head whipped toward Sezel, reptilian, alert, jaw flexing with intent.
The beast studied him, whole body shifting, obsidian scales glinting between flecks of bone-white. Shadows seemed to cling to its skin. Its tongue flicked out, serpentine, tasting the air—a warning Sezel didn't need translated.
_So I get the monster iguana today. Wonderful. If it asks for a password, I'm leaving._
