Later, the group came upon a clearing where the vegetation had been destroyed. Scratch marks and a distant roar alerted the master.
"Careful," he said softly, stopping. "There’s a predator nearby... and it seems sensitive to Essentia."
From the bushes emerged a large black wolf, with glowing eyes and a faint blue aura surrounding its body. It was much bigger than a normal wolf, and each of its steps made the ground vibrate.
"Towan, Elliot, this is your chance. Work together to defend yourselves," the master ordered, stepping back and picking up a dry branch from the ground.
Towan and Elliot assumed combat positions.
Towan charged forward, trying to strike the wolf with brute strength. However, the wolf easily dodged and hit him with its tail, knocking him to the ground.
Elliot, on the other hand, kept his distance. "It’s fast... we need to wear it down," he said, launching small projectiles of Essentia to distract the wolf and allow Towan to get back on his feet.
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"Towan, stop attacking recklessly," Elliot shouted. "Use your Essentia to move faster, not just to hit."
This time, Towan listened. Elliot fired another projectile to divert the wolf’s attention, while Towan circled around the animal and attacked from a blind spot. The strike was precise, and the wolf stepped back, wounded.
However, the wolf didn’t give up. It lunged at Elliot with its jaws open. Just before it could reach him, the master intervened.
The master waved the dry branch in front of the wolf, striking the ground firmly to get its attention. "Back off!" he shouted, his voice strong and commanding. With calculated movements, he used the branch to block the wolf’s path, forcing it to retreat.
Seizing the moment, the master took a small pouch of herbs from his belt and broke it open in the air, releasing a strong aroma that the wolf seemed to dislike. With a low growl, the creature turned and disappeared into the trees.
Towan and Elliot looked at each other, still panting.
"That was amazing, master!" Towan said, clearly impressed.
"It was nothing," the master replied modestly, putting away the herb remnants. "Knowledge sometimes surpasses strength. If you face a stronger opponent, use the environment and your wits. You don’t always need to rely on Essentia."
Elliot wiped the sweat from his brow. "I didn’t think something as simple as herbs would work..."
"Remember," the master added as they continued their journey, "never underestimate the power of the basics."