'Breathe, Kael… breathe…'
He forced himself to focus on his breathing, trying desperately to silence the voice invading his mind.
Even through the pain, he kept his eyes on the beast's movements. No matter what happened, he still had to defend himself.
Looking at the creature, Kael spoke through gritted teeth.
"What the hell are you…?"
The wolf's body suddenly began twitching violently. Its flesh split apart as black veins spread across its skin like roots tearing through soil. Bones cracked outward, and the spikes along its spine sharpened into blade-like protrusions. Its jaws stretched unnaturally wide, beyond what any living creature should have been capable of.
Then it whispered,
"You carry the scent of the abyss."
Kael was already struggling to endure the pain, but the voice inside his head only grew louder. Still, the moment the beast spoke, he forced himself to stand.
Inside him, something reacted violently.
