Ashen crept toward the beast, each step deliberate, his breath steady despite the adrenaline surging through him.
The sloth-like creature hung from a tree, its massive claws swaying gently in the evening breeze. It looked almost serene, which only made it more unnerving.
Ashen's heart pounded as he closed the distance, every rustle of leaves beneath his feet threatening to betray him.
When he was within range, he paused, steadying himself. Then, with a silent prayer, he lunged.
Whoosh!
The sharpened branch drove into the beast's side with a sickening thunk. For a moment, nothing happened. Then—
"KRIIIIIII!!!"
The creature's eyes snapped open, glowing with a predatory light. It let out a deafening screech, its claws flailing as it lost its grip on the branch and crashed to the ground.
The impact shook the earth, and the beast convulsed, its head striking a jagged rock. Crimson bloomed across its fur as it struggled to right itself.
"Now!" Ashen shouted, bolting back toward the trap.
Seraphine, hidden behind a tree, yanked on a previously installed vine trap with trembling hands. She fastened it on the anchor as sturdily as she could.
The beast's sluggish movements gave her just enough time to pull it taut.
Braun, perched on a low branch, steadied his spear, his jaw clenched as he waited for his moment.
The creature shook its head, a guttural growl rumbling from its throat. Its glowing eyes locked onto Ashen, and it charged with terrifying speed, claws slashing through the air.
Ashen barely dodged the first swipe, the wind from its claws brushing his face.
"Slow, my ass!" he spat, his voice ragged.
ROARR!!
The beast lunged again, but its foot caught the vine, sending it stumbling forward with a thunderous crash.
Thud—
Braun leapt from his perch, driving his spear into the creature's exposed neck.
THWIP-SCHLUK—GRRKTH!
The beast choked, a wet, gurgling sound escaping its throat as it thrashed wildly, claws tearing into the ground.
"It's still alive!" Braun shouted, panic edging his voice.
Ashen circled back, another spear ready in his hand. He aimed for the beast's head and thrust with all his strength.
THWIP!
The spear lodged deep into its ear, but the creature's claws found Ashen's chest in retaliation, raking across his flesh.
Pain exploded through him, and he was thrown backward, the taste of copper flooding his mouth. "Hrngh—mmff"
He clutched his chest, blood seeping through his fingers. "Ash!" Seraphine screamed, rushing forward but freezing as the beast's claws swiped dangerously close.
"Stay back!" Ashen barked, forcing himself to his feet. His vision swam, but he gritted his teeth. "Braun, the legs! Go for its legs!"
Braun hesitated only a moment before charging, his spear aimed low. He drove it into the creature's hind leg once, twice…
He kept going, and the beast faltered, its movements growing sluggish.
It swiped at Braun but missed, its coordination failing.
Seizing the opportunity, Seraphine darted in, the knife at the end of the branch aimed at the creature's underbelly.
"Hyaa!" With a cry, she drove the blade deep into its flesh.
The beast convulsed violently, its roars turning to strangled gasps.
Ashen, dragging himself forward, reached its flank and began stabbing in a frenzy, not stopping until the creature let out a final, bone-chilling roar and collapsed in a heap.
"Haaah…Haah…Haah…"
For a moment, no one moved. The only sound was the ragged breathing of the trio and the faint rustle of leaves in the wind.
Ashen staggered, his hand pressed against his bleeding chest, and collapsed to his knees.
"Ash!" Seraphine rushed to his side, her face pale. "You're hurt!"
"No kidding," Ashen muttered, wincing as she examined the wound. "Just a scratch. A big, deep scratch. Nothing to worry about."
"We need to stop the bleeding," she said, her voice trembling. Braun joined them, his hands shaking as he tore strips from his shirt to use as makeshift bandages.
As they worked to bind Ashen's wound, he managed a weak chuckle. "Well, I'd say that went about as well as expected."
Braun shot him a look, half-amused and half-exasperated. "You call almost getting mauled to death 'as expected'?"
"In this hellhole? Yeah, why not?" Ashen grinned faintly, though his face was pale from blood loss. "Let's just hope that thing's really dead. I'd hate to find out it has nine lives."
Seraphine let out a nervous laugh, tears glistening in her eyes. "Please don't joke about that."
With the beast's lifeless body before them, the trio took a moment to catch their breath.
They had survived.
Ashen leaned back against a tree, his eyes half-closed as he muttered, "One thing's for sure—if this is the 'safe' part of the forest, I'd hate to see the dangerous parts."
Braun shook his head. "You and me both, buddy."