emanating from the fissure's edges.
The forest seemed to darken as Aurora and her team approached the next fissure. The oppressive energy was stronger here, its pull tangible as it twisted the air around them. Shadow beasts prowled in the distance, their forms barely visible against the faint, sickly glow "This one's different," Anica muttered, their golden eyes narrowing as they surveyed the scene. "The energy here is... heavier."
Cassian adjusted his grip on his blade, his jaw tight. "It's a trap."
Nathan frowned, his gaze sweeping the treeline. "You think he's waiting for us?"
"I don't think," Cassian replied. "I know."
Aurora stepped forward, her blade glowing faintly as the bond to the Celestial Pact stirred within her. "Then we'll spring it on our terms."
The group moved cautiously, their steps muffled by the thick underbrush. The fissure loomed before them, its jagged edges pulsing with unnatural light. As they drew closer, the oppressive energy grew stronger, pressing against Aurora's chest like an unseen weight. "I don't like this," Nathan muttered, his grip on his weapon tightening.
Anica nodded, their expression grim. "It's too quiet."
As if in response, a low growl rumbled through the forest, followed by the sound of snapping branches. The shadow beasts emerged from the treeline, their glowing eyes fixed on the group. But they didn't charge.
"They're waiting," Cassian said, his voice low.
Aurora's gaze flicked to the fissure, the energy within swirling violently. "It's not just them," she said, her voice steady despite the growing tension. "Something else is coming."
The ground beneath their feet trembled, a low rumble that sent shockwaves through the forest. From the fissure, a massive form began to emerge a shadow beast unlike any they had encountered before. Its body was twisted and grotesque, its claws elongated and dripping with dark energy. Its eyes burned with the same sickly green light as the Lycan King's, and its presence radiated malice.
Anica cursed under their breath. "That's not a beast. That's a construct."
"What's the difference?" Nathan asked, his voice strained.
"Constructs are made, not born," Anica replied. "They're tied directly to their creator. As long as the Lycan King feeds it energy, it can't die."noveldrama
Cassian stepped in front of Aurora, his blade raised. "Then we cut off the connection."
Aurora's grip on her weapon tightened as she stepped forward. "I'll handle the fissure. You deal with the beast."
"No," Cassian said firmly, his gaze locking onto hers. "We do this together."
Aurora hesitated, the weight of his words settling over her. "Fine. But we need to act fast."