The growl reverberated through the chamber like an earthquake, causing dust to rain from the unseen ceiling. The sound of chains rattling grew louder, as if whatever was bound in the shadows was testing its restraints. Then, with a sound like a thunderclap, one of the massive chains snapped.

“Of course,” Kaelen said dryly, drawing his blade. “Because why would it ever stay tied up?”

“Stay sharp,” Sigrid warned, her fingers weaving a spell into existence. A soft glow encased her hands, tendrils of light spreading across the floor. The magic revealed the creature—a hulking, grotesque amalgamation of bone and shadow, its massive frame tethered by the remaining chains.

Its body shimmered unnaturally, the skeletal structure inside visible one moment and obscured the next. A horned skull served as its head, hollow eye sockets burning with a sickly green light. The beast let out another roar, shaking the chamber and snapping a second chain.

Nessa backed away, daggers in hand. “You know, I don’t think we’re getting paid enough for this.”

Kaelen smirked. “We’re not paid at all yet, so I’d call this pro bono work.”

“Wonderful,” Nessa muttered.

The creature lunged forward, the remaining chains straining to hold it back. Its clawed hand swiped at Kaelen, who sidestepped with practiced ease, slashing his sword across its arm. The blade bit into the shadowy flesh, but instead of blood, a dark mist poured from the wound.

“It’s not solid,” Kaelen growled. “Sigrid, any bright ideas?”

“I’m working on it!” she snapped, her hands glowing brighter as she conjured a shimmering barrier between them and the beast.

The creature snarled, slamming its massive fists against the barrier. The impact sent shockwaves through the room, but the barrier held—for now.

Kaelen wasted no time, darting around the beast and hacking at the chains that still restrained it. He struck one of the links, but his sword skidded off harmlessly.

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“Right. Indestructible chains. Why am I not surprised?”

“Stop being reckless!” Sigrid shouted, her barrier flickering as the beast attacked again.

“I’m not reckless!” Kaelen shouted back, rolling under a swipe of the beast’s claws. “I’m bold! Big difference!”

The creature let out a bone-chilling roar and yanked hard against the final chain. With a deafening snap, it broke free, shaking the chamber as it landed heavily on the ground.

“Okay, now we run,” Nessa said, already backing toward the exit.

Kaelen didn’t move. He tightened his grip on his sword and stared the beast down.

“No,” he said. “We’re not leaving this thing alive.”

“You idiot!” Nessa shouted. “It’s not alive to begin with!”

Kaelen ignored her, lunging forward and slashing at the beast’s legs. The creature howled in rage, swinging a massive arm at him. He ducked, barely avoiding the blow, but the force of the swing sent him sprawling across the floor.

“Kaelen!” Sigrid yelled, abandoning her spellwork to rush toward him.

The beast’s eyes burned brighter as it reared back, ready to crush them both.

Time seemed to slow as Kaelen’s vision blurred. The throbbing in his head, which had been building since they entered the chamber, suddenly sharpened into clarity. He felt a familiar sensation—a dormant power that he had trained for years to control.

“Kaelen!” Sigrid’s voice cut through the haze.

The beast’s claw descended toward them, but before it could strike, Kaelen’s eyes glimmered with a faint golden hue. He raised his hand, and for a brief moment, the darkness around him seemed to recede.

The shadows that composed the beast flickered and shrank, as though recoiling from his presence. Kaelen pushed himself to his feet, his sword now glowing faintly with the same light as his eyes.

“Care to explain what that is?” Sigrid asked, her tone equal parts shock and anger.

“Not the time,” Kaelen replied, his voice eerily calm.

He charged at the beast, his movements faster and more precise than before. He struck at its legs, his blade now slicing cleanly through the shadowy flesh. The beast roared in pain, its massive frame trembling as it staggered backward.

“It’s afraid of you,” Sigrid realized, her voice tinged with awe.

“Yeah, well, I’m not exactly thrilled with it either,” Kaelen replied, driving his blade into the creature’s chest.

With each strike, the light from Kaelen’s sword grew brighter, forcing the beast to retreat further. The runes on the walls flared to life, reacting to the energy emanating from him.

Sigrid seized the opportunity, weaving her magic into a concentrated blast of light that struck the beast’s skull. The creature let out one final, ear-splitting roar before collapsing into a pile of shadowy mist and broken bones.

The chamber fell silent, the oppressive darkness lifting.

Kaelen dropped to one knee, his sword clattering to the ground as the golden glow faded from his eyes.

Sigrid approached cautiously, her expression a mix of concern and suspicion. “What are you?”

Kaelen managed a weak grin. “Just a hunter. A damn good one.”

“Don’t play coy with me,” she snapped. “That wasn’t normal.”

“I’ll explain later,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Maybe. If you ask nicely.”

Nessa, who had been hiding near the entrance, finally emerged. “Well, that was... something. So, what now?”

Kaelen glanced at the shattered remains of the creature. “Now? We find out what this thing was guarding. And maybe get paid for it.”

Sigrid rolled her eyes but helped him to his feet. Toge

ther, they turned their attention to the pedestal, where the shard of crystal still pulsed faintly with light.