The moment the creatures lunged, the world exploded into chaos.
Havyn didn't hesitate. His body was already shifting, muscles stretching, bones cracking as he embraced the raw power of his druidic nature. His form blurred, fur rippling across his skin as he expanded into something larger, stronger, deadlier.
The beast slammed into him, claws flashing, but Havyn met its attack with his own. He twisted midair, bringing his arm down in a brutal arc. His claws—longer and sharper now—tore through its torso, slicing it open in a spray of thick, black ichor.
The thing let out a horrible, gurgling shriek.
But it didn't die.
Havyn barely had time to react before another creature lunged at him from the side. He turned, catching a glimpse of its gaunt, stretched face, its too-wide mouth lined with jagged, needle-like teeth.
It was fast.
But so was he.
Havyn ducked low, shifting his weight as his body morphed again. His form flickered, shrinking just enough for him to pivot out of the way. The creature's claws barely missed his throat.
Then Selene struck.
A bolt of writhing darkness lashed out, slamming into the creature mid-air.
The impact sent it hurtling backward, crashing into a tangle of roots. Black tendrils slithered over its form, twisting around its limbs, tightening with a sickening crack as the thing let out a strangled shriek.
Selene stood behind him, her silver eyes glowing. Her fingers curled, shadows writhing at her command. "You good?"
Havyn exhaled sharply. "Still breathing."
Selene flicked her wrist, and the creature she had snared was torn apart. Its limbs twisted unnaturally, its body collapsing inward as if it were being consumed by the very darkness she had summoned.
But the moment it died, another took its place.
Then another.
The trees shifted. More shapes slithered through the shadows, their glowing eyes locking onto them with predatory intent. The scent of rot thickened in the air, mingling with the copper tang of blood.
Selene cursed under her breath. "We need to move."
Havyn agreed.
But the creatures weren't going to let them go so easily.
The Hunt Begins
One of the beasts lunged, its movement a blur of unnatural speed.
Havyn barely had time to react before it was on him. Its clawed hand wrapped around his throat, slamming him back into a tree with bone-crushing force. Bark splintered beneath him, pain flaring up his spine.
The thing's mouth stretched wider, impossibly wide. A grotesque, gurgling noise vibrated from its throat as it leaned closer, its fetid breath washing over his face.
Havyn snarled.
Then he shifted again.
His body rippled, his arms lengthening into massive, furred limbs. He twisted violently, snapping his jaws down on the creature's exposed throat.
His teeth tore through flesh.
The beast let out a strangled, wet shriek as Havyn ripped its throat out, ichor splattering across his face.
The moment its grip loosened, he threw it to the ground and drove his claws into its chest. With a final, gurgling death rattle, the thing went still.
But there were more.
Selene was already moving, weaving through the battlefield with unnatural grace. Dark energy pulsed from her fingertips, lashing out in cruel, serrated tendrils that wrapped around the creatures' limbs, dragging them into the shadows where they disappeared.
But even as they cut through their attackers, it wasn't enough.
More of them were closing in.
And they weren't just monsters.
They were hunters.
And Havyn and Selene were prey.
A Desperate Escape
Havyn glanced at Selene. "We can't win this."
Selene's expression tightened. She knew it too.
"We have to get to higher ground," she said.
Havyn's gaze flickered upward. The trees were twisted, their branches thick and gnarled—but they could still be climbed.
Without another word, he grabbed Selene's wrist. "Hold on."
Then he shifted again.
His body surged, twisting and changing in the blink of an eye. His muscles coiled, his limbs stretching, his fingers becoming powerful claws designed for climbing.
With a single, powerful leap, he launched them both upward.
Selene let out a sharp curse as Havyn landed on a thick branch, barely keeping his balance. He pulled her up beside him just as the creatures swarmed below, their elongated limbs reaching, their hollow eyes glowing in the darkness.
Selene gritted her teeth. "They're not stopping."
Havyn scanned their surroundings, his mind racing. The canopy was thick—if they could move fast enough, stay above the creatures' reach, they might be able to lose them.
"Follow me."
He took off, leaping from branch to branch with primal agility. Selene was right behind him, her warlock reflexes keeping her movements swift and precise.
Below, the creatures snarled in frustration, their attempts to follow hampered by the density of the undergrowth.
It was working.
Until they adapted.
One of the beasts let out an inhuman shriek—a sound that wasn't meant for human ears.
The others reacted immediately.
They didn't try to climb.
They started jumping.
Havyn's heart slammed against his ribs.
"Move!"
The first creature launched itself toward them. It soared through the air with grotesque, unnatural grace, its clawed hands reaching—
Selene twisted, flicking her wrist. A spear of black fire erupted from her palm, piercing the creature mid-air.
It let out a shriek, its body bursting into a spray of dark ichor before it fell.
But there were more.
Havyn didn't hesitate. He moved faster. His body shifted again, adapting—his muscles tightening, his reflexes sharpening as he leaped from branch to branch at breakneck speed.
Selene followed, her magic lashing out to keep the creatures at bay.
But they weren't losing them fast enough.
Then—
Havyn saw it.
Through the trees, a cliff edge.
If they could make it—if they could jump—
"Selene!" he called. "Trust me!"
She barely had time to question him.
Because the moment they reached the edge—
Havyn grabbed her—
And jumped.
Falling Into the Unknown
The world became a blur of wind and darkness.
Selene let out a sharp gasp as they plummeted, her fingers gripping his arm.
Havyn twisted midair, his mind calculating fast. The cliffside was steep, jagged. He needed to shift again—needed to slow their fall before—
There.
A ledge. Narrow, but enough.
Havyn moved—his body shifting one final time, claws sprouting, muscles tensing as he caught the edge of the rock.
The impact jarred through his bones.
But he held on.
Selene dangled below him, her grip tight on his wrist. Her silver eyes locked onto his, breath coming in short, sharp gasps.
Above them, the creatures howled in frustration.
They couldn't follow.
Not this time.
Havyn let out a shaky breath. "Told you to trust me."
Selene let out a sharp, breathless laugh. "Next time, warn me before throwing us off a damned cliff."
Havyn grinned. "Where's the fun in that?"
Then, together, they climbed.
And as they disappeared into the darkness, the creatures above watched.
Waiting.
Because the Hunt wasn't over.
It had only just begun.