The forest was alive with whispers. Not the wind, not the trees—something deeper, watching, waiting.
Akira's black flames still flickered along her arms, weaker than before but ready. Every movement made the ground tremble. She didn't need to look; she could feel the predator waiting, calculating.
"Stay close," she barked, scanning the darkness. Her crew shuffled, tension high, hearts hammering. They'd survived the last assault, but the terror of what came next hung in the air like smoke.
From the treeline, golden eyes blinked. One… two… dozens. The predator had multiplied—or hidden its true form.
Tamaki's hand hovered near his blade. "It's testing us."
Akira smirked, her flames dancing. "Then let's give it a show."
The First Strike
The shadows surged forward, faster than thought. Akira's crew panicked, but she moved like a storm. Black flames lashed out, scorching forms before they could converge. Sparks and energy arcs lit the forest like lightning.
Kairos swung blindly at a shadow. His sword passed through something that shouldn't have existed—but he didn't have time to think.
A clawed hand grazed Tamaki's shoulder. He stumbled back, growling, but caught himself. "Careful!"
Akira's voice cut through the chaos. "Focus on their center! The shadows aren't just attacking—they're learning!"
Rising Power
Pain surged through her chest as she pushed the flames further. This time, she let herself fully tap into the DBZ-style power she unlocked, her aura flaring black and crimson.
Each strike sent shockwaves, sending shadows flying. Her crew stared, awe and terror mixed on their faces.
One shadow lunged directly at Kairos. Akira reacted instinctively, her flame-arm whipping out and intercepting the blow, hurling the form into a tree.
"Not today," she growled.
Unexpected Betrayal
The shadows weren't just enemies—they whispered. Small, cunning voices in her crew's ears, testing loyalty. Doubt flared like fire.
A crewmate flinched, stepping back as a shadow passed through them. Fear made their hands shake. Akira noticed. They can't doubt me—not now.
"You hesitate," she said sharply, crimson eyes blazing. "And hesitation gets you killed."
The words weren't just a warning—they were a promise.
The Cliffhanger
From the shadows above, a massive figure dropped, bigger than anything they had seen. Its molten golden eyes locked on Akira. The black flames around her arms flared in response, but she felt the drain.
She glared upward. "So… this is the real challenge."
Her crew's eyes widened. This was no ordinary fight. And the predator wasn't alone.
Somewhere in the darkness, a whisper echoed: The Hunt has just begun.
The forest seemed to hold its breath.