The air was thick with tension as the three remaining bison roared, their twisted horns gleaming under the midday sun. Herbie stood near the center of the team, his usually cheerful demeanor replaced by an intense focus. His hands clenched into fists, and a faint, shimmering spotlight appeared above him, illuminating him in an ethereal glow.

"Herbie, you’re up!" Ethan shouted, notching another arrow on his bow.

Herbie nodded, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips despite the danger. “Time to put on a show!” he said, raising his hands dramatically. The spectral spotlight expanded, its edges rippling as it cast its glow over the charging bison. The beast closest to Herbie slowed, its movements growing erratic as the light disoriented it. It stumbled, shaking its massive head as if trying to rid itself of the invisible pressure.

“Nice!” Zane called out, taking advantage of the bison’s sluggish reaction. He darted forward, his dagger flashing as he landed a precise strike on the creature’s flank. The bison roared in pain, its red eyes glowing brighter as it turned its focus toward Zane.

But Herbie wasn’t done yet. Stomping his foot onto the ground, he unleashed another wave of his power. The earth beneath the bison rippled, a pulse of energy spreading outward. The nearest bison stumbled back, its hooves skidding against the unstable ground. The ripple continued, forcing the other two bison to halt their charge momentarily, their formation disrupted.

“Keep it up, Herbie!” Yin Xue called, her spear poised as she moved to flank one of the disoriented beasts.

Herbie’s face was slick with sweat, but his grin never faltered. “Don’t worry, I’ve got this!”

While the team worked together to capitalize on Herbie’s abilities, Elara’s eyes gleamed with excitement. She twirled her dual daggers in her hands, the edges glinting menacingly. “I’ve been itching to try this out,” she said, her voice carrying a mix of anticipation and recklessness.

Yara, reloading her pistol, glanced at her. “Elara, don’t overdo it.”

Elara smirked. “No promises.”

Taking a deep breath, she let the energy within her surge. Flames erupted along the blades of her daggers, the heat radiating off them in visible waves. The fiery arcs danced wildly, crackling with untamed power.

“Infernal Waltz: Scorched Tempest,” she whispered to herself, the name of her ability sending a thrill down her spine.

Her first slash carved through the air, leaving a blazing trail that erupted into an explosion upon striking the ground near the bison. The creature roared, leaping back as the flames spread, scorching its hide. Another slash followed, this time aimed at a second bison. The fiery arc struck its target, detonating on impact and sending embers flying into the air.

The battlefield became a chaotic blaze. The fire consumed the grass, creating a choking haze that obscured visibility. The intense heat made the air shimmer, and even Elara winced as the flames licked at her arms, leaving faint burns despite her control.

“Elara, watch it!” Iris shouted, covering her mouth with one hand as she tried to aim through the smoke. “You’re going to burn us all alive!”

“I’ve got this!” Elara replied, though her labored breathing betrayed her growing exhaustion. She lunged at the nearest bison, her daggers slicing through the air in a fiery dance. Each strike created explosions that staggered the beast, its roars growing weaker with every blow.

Meanwhile, Yin Xue used the chaos to her advantage. She moved with precision, her spear finding its mark in the side of the second bison that Elara had weakened. The creature collapsed with a final bellow, its massive body hitting the ground with a resounding thud.

“Two down!” Ethan called out, his voice muffled by the smoke as he loosed another arrow. It struck the third bison in the shoulder, drawing its attention away from Zane, who had been circling around for a sneak attack.

Elara’s flames showed no sign of stopping. Each swing of her daggers sent more fiery arcs spiraling outward, creating a battlefield that was equal parts magnificent and dangerous. The final bison in her path charged at her, its horns lowered and eyes blazing with fury. She sidestepped, her dagger slicing through its flank and releasing another explosion. The beast staggered but didn’t fall.

“Elara, enough!” Yara yelled, stepping back as a burst of flames came too close for comfort.

Elara ignored her, her focus entirely on the fight. Her body trembled from the strain, her stamina draining rapidly as the heat from her own flames began to take its toll. Small burns dotted her arms, and her breathing was ragged, but she refused to stop.

With a final, desperate slash, she aimed both daggers at the nearest bison. The resulting explosion engulfed the creature, its roar cutting off as it crumpled to the ground. The fire began to die down, leaving behind a battlefield scarred by scorched earth and ash.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Elara stood in the center, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. Her hands shook, the daggers still glowing faintly with residual heat. Her vision blurred, and she stumbled slightly, her knees threatening to give out.

“Elara!” Yin Xue called, rushing toward her.

Before she could reach her, the final bison let out an enraged bellow. Its massive form barreled toward Elara, its eyes glowing brighter than ever. The ground shook beneath its charge, and Elara, too exhausted to react, could only watch as it closed the distance.

The bison’s thunderous charge filled the air, each hoofbeat shaking the earth beneath it. Elara stood frozen, her body trembling from exhaustion and the residual heat of her uncontrolled flames. The massive beast lowered its jagged horns, aiming directly at her chest. Time seemed to slow, the sound of her labored breathing drowning out all else.

Then, with a sharp whistle, an arrow sliced through the air. It glowed faintly with prana, its trajectory precise. The arrow struck the bison squarely in the head, piercing through its thick skull. The beast stumbled, its momentum faltering as its legs gave out beneath it. With one final, guttural breath, it collapsed mere inches from Elara’s feet, the ground quaking under its massive weight.

Elara stared down at the fallen bison, her mind racing to process what had just happened. Slowly, she turned to see Ethan standing a few meters away, his bow still raised. His face was pale, beads of sweat trickling down his temple, but his eyes were steady and unwavering.

“You alright?” Ethan asked, his voice calm but firm.

Elara nodded weakly, swallowing hard. “Y-yeah. Thanks.”

The rest of the team gathered quickly, their expressions a mix of relief and tension.

“You could’ve gotten yourself killed,” Yin Xue said sharply, her spear still in hand as she scanned the surroundings for any lingering threats.

Elara’s gaze dropped, guilt flickering across her face. “I was… I just wanted to help.”

“By nearly setting the entire battlefield on fire?” Yara interjected, her tone harsher than usual. She pointed at the scorched earth and the lingering haze of smoke. “You could’ve burned us all alive. That wasn’t just reckless; it was dangerous.”

Elara opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. Her exhaustion and the weight of their criticism left her feeling smaller with each passing second.

“Alright, that’s enough,” Ethan said, his voice cutting through the tension. He lowered his bow and stepped forward, placing himself between Elara and the others. “She’s already had a rough time. Let’s focus on what we can improve instead of pointing fingers.”

Yara huffed but didn’t argue further. Yin Xue crossed her arms, her expression softening slightly as she glanced at Elara.

“We need better coordination,” Ethan continued, his gaze sweeping over the group. “Herbie, your disorienting spotlight was great, but we need a signal to let everyone know when it’s active. Zane, you need to stick closer to the team. You’re fast, but you’re leaving yourself open when you stray too far.”

Zane nodded, his lips curving into a sheepish grin. “Got it, boss.”

“And Elara,” Ethan said, turning to her. His tone was gentle but firm. “Your power is incredible, but it’s also dangerous—to everyone, not just the enemy. You need to find a way to control it.”

Elara nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. “I will.”

“Good,” Ethan said, offering her a small, reassuring smile. “We’ll figure it out together. That’s what a team does.”

The tension eased slightly, and the group turned their attention to the fallen bison. Herbie knelt beside one of the beasts, his usual cheer returning as he examined its twisted horns. “These could make some pretty cool trophies,” he said, pulling out a small knife to begin cutting away the usable parts.

“Focus on the meat first,” Yara said, rolling her eyes. “We’re not here to decorate our camp.”

As the team worked, Zane approached Elara. He placed a hand on her shoulder, the faint glow of green prana enveloping his palm. “Hold still,” he said, his usual playful tone replaced with quiet concentration.

Elara winced as the soothing energy seeped into her burns, the pain fading almost instantly. “Thanks,” she said, managing a small smile.

“Don’t mention it,” Zane replied, giving her a wink. “Just try not to turn into a human torch again, alright?”

Elara chuckled softly, the sound lightening the mood. “I’ll do my best.”

Nearby, Iris inspected her bowstring, her fingers deftly tightening it. “We should move soon,” she said, her eyes scanning the horizon. “The smell of blood is going to attract more predators.”

“Agreed,” Yin Xue said, wiping her spear clean with a cloth. “Let’s finish up here and find a safer spot to rest.”

The team worked quickly, stripping the bison of their valuable parts. The horns, hides, and meat were carefully packed away, each item stored efficiently in the space-enhanced satchels. Yara and Herbie patched up their weapons, the earlier skirmish having left a few nicks and scratches on their blades.

After an hour of work, they moved to a small hill a short distance away. The area was clear, offering a good vantage point, and the breeze carried away the lingering smoke from the battlefield. The team settled down, their exhaustion evident as they sat in a loose circle.

“First hunt of the exchange,” Zane said, raising a water flask as if toasting. “Not bad, considering we didn’t die.”

“That’s a low bar,” Yara muttered, though a small smile tugged at her lips.

Herbie grinned, taking a swig from his own flask. “Hey, we’ve got four massive bison under our belts. I’d call that a win.”

Ethan leaned back against a rock, his bow resting beside him. He’d said little since the fight ended, his usual composure tinged with an undercurrent of fatigue. Despite his pale complexion, he remained alert, his eyes scanning the horizon as if expecting trouble.

The group’s quiet conversation was interrupted by a distant, guttural roar. The sound was deep and resonant, reverberating through the air like a tremor. Every member of the team froze, their instincts sharpening as they exchanged wary glances.

“What the hell was that?” Iris whispered, her hand instinctively reaching for an arrow.

Ethan’s gaze hardened, his body tensing as he rose to his feet. “Whatever it is, it’s big.”