The path wound through starlit dunes, the air shifting to dry heat laced with sand's gritty whisper, the moon now a watchful eye at 10:00 PM. Tobi's iron domain tattoo warmed his arm, a constant hum like a forge's breath.
Yusuf led, his star-beast's hide glowing with Hausa runes, its steps silent as shadows.
"Beast no be pet," Yusuf said, voice deep as drumbeats. " Zarina pact bind us, courage from stars, but envy creep in." His scar twitched, eyes distant.
"My lineage guard gates, but one raid cost my kin. Now, beast whisper prophecy: slayer rise, war of souls ignite."
Tobi nodded, Crest pulsing. "Prophecy? Sound like my curse."
A roar shook the dunes a corrupted star-beast clone lunged, mid-tier fury with envy tendrils. Battle blazed: Tobi's threads stole its domain, golden courage flooding him in a rush that burned like sunfire, tattooing his skin.
"You wan test courage? Take mine!" he quipped, cold kill following as threads crushed its core in a supernova burst.
Yusuf clasped his shoulder.
"You save my pact. Join the hunt the stargazer calls."
Nneka grinned weakly. "Make we no delay envy no sleep."