The air in the New World was heavy, charged with the distant roars of monsters echoing through the dense jungle canopy. The sun hung low, its golden rays piercing through the mist as Hunnt adjusted his lightweight armor. Every movement was fluid, silent—built for speed and precision.
Pyro, his loyal felyne companion, hopped onto a rock nearby, tail flicking with sharp excitement. His small twin daggers caught the sunlight as he gave them a sharp, almost ceremonial tap against each other.
"Stay sharp, Pyro," Hunnt whispered, his eyes narrowing at the faint footprints leading deeper into the forest.
"Meow," Pyro replied with a confident flick of his whiskers, his tail curling like a question mark before darting into the brush to scout ahead.
---
They had been tracking the beast for an hour when they found the fresh marks—deep claw rakes against bark, the damp earth trampled under heavy steps.
Arthur, walking beside Hunnt, paused and crouched. His longsword glinted in the dim light filtering through the canopy. Clove, his own gray tabby felyne, perched on his shoulder, watching quietly.
"Tracks head north," Arthur said, voice steady but low. "I'd bet my weapon it's resting near the waterfall."
Hunnt nodded once. "Then we cut it off there. Pyro—signal if you find anything."
A sharp "Mrrrow!" came from ahead, faint but clear.
---
The fight started with a roar that shook the forest.
The Anjanath burst from the dense undergrowth like a living avalanche, its massive jaws snapping, eyes glowing with primal rage. Leaves scattered like rain, and the ground trembled with each heavy step.
"Move!" Hunnt barked, launching himself to the side as the beast's flaming breath scorched the ground where he had been standing seconds earlier.
Pyro darted forward, claws flashing, a blur of speed as he slashed at the beast's flank to distract it. The Anjanath snarled, swiping a massive claw toward the agile felyne, but Pyro twisted mid-air, flipping back and landing gracefully on a low branch.
Arthur was already in motion, his longsword whistling through the air in precise arcs. "Go for the legs! Trip it if you can!"
Hunnt nodded, his gauntlets tightening as he dashed forward. His movements were a dance—ducking, weaving, fists striking hard at the beast's joints. Every hit was calculated, every dodge narrow but perfect.
The Anjanath roared, flames building in its throat before it unleashed a fiery blast that turned the ground to ash. The shockwave sent leaves and dirt flying in every direction.
"Pyro, back!" Hunnt shouted.
"Meow!" Pyro leapt from the branch, using the momentum to slash at the monster's eye, forcing it to blink and stagger backward.
Arthur seized the opening, his blade biting deep into the Anjanath's shoulder. The monster howled in rage, thrashing wildly.
---
But the battle was far from over.
The Anjanath's body glowed with fury, its strength doubling as it entered its rage state. It lunged, jaws snapping, and nearly clipped Hunnt's arm as he rolled away. The ground quaked as the beast slammed its tail down, the sheer force sending a shockwave through the clearing.
Hunnt's breaths were steady despite the chaos, his eyes sharp, every muscle coiled like a spring. "Arthur, draw its attention for a moment!"
Arthur gritted his teeth and charged, his sword flashing like lightning as he carved deep gashes into the beast's hide. "Don't take too long!"
"Meow-meow!" Pyro screeched, darting in low and slicing at the tendons of its hind legs. The beast stumbled, its footing faltering just enough.
Hunnt saw the opening. He sprinted forward, every step a blur, closing the distance in seconds. His fist slammed into the monster's ribcage with bone-cracking force, followed by a swift uppercut to the jaw that made the massive creature reel back in pain.
The Anjanath roared, enraged beyond reason, and swept its tail in a deadly arc. Hunnt barely ducked in time, the attack grazing his shoulder and sending him skidding across the dirt.
Pyro was there in an instant, yowling sharply and tugging at Hunnt's arm to pull him up.
"I'm fine," Hunnt muttered, wiping the blood from his lip. His eyes sharpened, locking onto the monster. "Let's finish this."
---
Arthur's blade sang through the air once more, a perfect slash across the beast's exposed neck. The Anjanath staggered, weakened but still fighting.
"Pyro—distract it one last time!" Hunnt commanded.
"Meow!" Pyro launched himself into the air with impossible speed, landing a flurry of strikes across the monster's face. The Anjanath roared, blinded and disoriented.
Hunnt took his chance. Sprinting in, he unleashed a relentless flurry of strikes—ribs, legs, jaw—each blow precise and devastating. The final strike was a brutal spinning punch to the temple.
The Anjanath let out a strangled roar before collapsing with a thunderous crash that shook the forest.
---
Hunnt stood over the fallen beast, breathing evenly, his fists still clenched. Pyro bounded up to his shoulder, purring loudly and tapping his paw against Hunnt's cheek in celebration.
Arthur sheathed his blade, shaking his head with a smirk. "You fight like you've been doing this all your life. I've never seen someone move like that—especially with their fists."
Hunnt tilted his head, his expression unreadable. "Maybe I have."
"Meow," Pyro interjected, flicking his tail smugly as if to say, Don't be modest, partner.
Arthur chuckled, Clove meowing softly on his shoulder. "Your felyne's got guts. Reminds me of my early days with Clove."
Hunnt said nothing, only let a faint smile curve his lips as they began the trek back to camp, Pyro's tail swaying lazily as he perched comfortably on Hunnt's shoulder.