The creature lunged from the forest like a living storm.
Trees splintered under its immense weight, branches tore free, and leaves swirled violently in the humid air. A terrifying roar shook the ground beneath their feet.
Lyra's heart raced so fast she felt it might burst from her chest.
The beast was massive. Its body was made of shifting shadows, as if the night itself had taken shape. Its red eyes burned with a savage intelligence, and every breath it exhaled released a black mist that tainted the air.
Orion immediately raised his black blade.
"Step back!" he commanded.
Kael grabbed Lyra's hand and pulled her slightly behind him.
But the creature had only one focus.
It locked its gaze on Lyra.
And growled.
Orion exhaled sharply.
"Yes… this is exactly what I feared," he muttered.
Kael clenched his fists.
"She wants her," he said, his voice low.
"Obviously," Orion replied calmly. "Soul-hunting beasts can sense reincarnated energy."
Lyra swallowed hard.
"So… it's after me?"
"Yes," Orion said, his tone flat.
The beast attacked.
It slammed the ground with terrifying force and leapt toward them.
Orion reacted instantly. His black blade flared with dark energy as he rolled aside, slicing through part of the beast's shadowy body.
CLANG.
A metallic echo resonated.
The beast's skin was as hard as stone.
"Great… armored version," muttered Orion under his breath.
Kael stepped forward.
"Lyra, stay behind me."
She shook her head.
"No."
She could feel it—something strange stirring in her chest.
The memories of the trials. The cycle. The bond.
Kael looked at her.
"Lyra…"
"I don't want to just run anymore," she said firmly.
The beast roared again and lunged at Kael.
He dodged barely in time. His reflexes were sharp, but the creature was even faster.
Orion struck again. This time, his blade traced a line of dark energy in the air and hit the beast's paw.
It screamed.
"Okay, that worked… a little!" Orion shouted.
But the beast countered immediately. Its shadowy tail struck Orion and sent him crashing into a tree.
THUD.
"Ouch," he groaned.
Kael attacked. A wave of golden energy, born from his bond with Lyra, surged forward.
The light struck the creature and pushed it back a few meters. The forest trembled.
Lyra felt the energy in her body respond to Kael's. Their souls seemed to communicate.
Instinctively, she lifted her hand.
A faint glow appeared around her fingers.
Orion looked up in surprise.
"Wait… you can already do that?"
Lyra wasn't sure. But she felt it. A memory. A past life. A battle. The cycle.
She closed her eyes briefly.
"Kael… take my hand."
He didn't hesitate. Their hands touched.
Immediately, the light intensified. Warm energy flowed between them.
The beast faltered.
Orion's eyes widened.
"Oh. Oh. Alright… this is getting interesting."
The creature roared and charged again.
But this time, Lyra didn't back down.
She raised her hand.
The golden light exploded. A wave of radiant energy surged through the forest, hitting the beast full force.
It was thrown backward, crashing into several trees.
BOOM.
Silence fell.
Lyra panted, her heart pounding.
The light slowly faded.
Orion stared at her as if he had just witnessed a miracle.
"You weren't joking when you said you couldn't use your power?"
Lyra shook her head.
"No."
Kael placed a hand on her shoulder.
"It was instinct," he said softly.
The beast slowly got up.
But this time… it retreated.
Then it vanished into the forest.
Orion exhaled in relief.
"Perfect. We survived."
Lyra looked around.
"What… was that thing?"
"A soul-hunting beast," Orion said. He looked at Lyra seriously.
"And now that you've used your power…"
He glanced at the dark sky.
"Others will sense your presence."
Kael frowned.
"How many?"
Orion shrugged.
"Maybe dozens. Maybe hundreds."
Lyra paled.
"You're joking…"
He shook his head.
"No."
Then he added calmly,
"And it's not just monsters."
Lyra shivered.
"What else?"
"Mages," Orion said. "Hunters. Secret organizations."
Kael crossed his arms.
"Why?"
Orion looked at Lyra.
"Because reincarnated souls like you can change the balance of the world."
He smiled faintly.
"And some prefer to kill you before it happens."
The wind rustled through the forest.
Lyra felt it. Invisible eyes were already watching them.
Far away… very far away…
A figure appeared on a hill.
A tall man.
Motionless.
His eyes glowed with cold light.
He whispered softly,
"So, it's her…"
Then he turned and disappeared.
The chapter ends.