Bahamut's chest rose and fell slowly as he lay on his back beside the stream, half-submerged in the cold water. The surface rippled gently around him, carrying away the faint traces of blood that still lingered on his lips. He had gone back to the stream to rest in its cool embrace.
His body felt… strange. It was not from exhaustion. Just… heavy, as if something inside him had shifted and settled into place, but refused to explain itself.
"Tch."
He lifted a hand, staring at it as droplets of water slid down his fingers. The faint remnants of fur flickered and disappeared. His claws had already receded, leaving behind normal human fingers... for now.
"Still not enough…" he muttered under his breath.
Inside him, the echoes of the lion, the fox, and the scorpion still lingered. The stream flowed quietly. The wind brushed past the trees. For the first time in days, there was no movement, no pressure, no danger.
Just stillness.
[Mission Complete.]
Bahamut's eyes snapped open.
