Kai’s heart leapt in his chest as a massive figure emerged from the swirling fog, its form towering and imposing against the backdrop of the misty forest. It was a spirit beast of immense power, a tiger. Its fur, adorned with vibrant red stripes, shimmered like living fire, casting an ethereal glow that illuminated the shadows around it. The creature’s eyes blazed with a fierce, protective light, radiating an intensity that sent a thrill of awe through Kai.

  It was the Flame-Striped Tiger, Igni.

  With a mighty roar that reverberated through the trees, Igni issued a challenge that echoed across the forest, causing the serpent to recoil slightly, its confidence shaken for the first time. The sound was primal and commanding, a declaration of dominance that resonated deep within Kai’s soul.

  In that moment, a glimmer of hope ignited within Kai. For the first time since the battle began, he realized he wasn’t alone.

  As the two colossal beings faced off, the atmosphere in the Misty Forest shifted dramatically. The air crackled with tension, and it felt as though the very trees held their breath, waiting to see which predator would emerge victorious. Kai could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on him, the stakes higher than ever.

  Igni stood poised and ready, muscles coiled like springs, while the serpent hissed, its scales glistening ominously in the dim light.

  The demonic snake, momentarily confused by the sudden appearance of such a formidable creature within its domain, faltered for a brief moment. It hissed, its eyes narrowing as it assessed this new threat. But before it could fully regain its composure, Igni sprang into action. With a powerful leap, the Flame-Striped Tiger launched itself at the giant serpent, claws extended and teeth bared.

  Igni struck with ferocity, clawing at the serpent's scales and sinking its teeth into the hide near the creature's head. The serpent writhed in surprise and pain, its massive body twisting and thrashing as it attempted to shake off the relentless spirit beast. Igni’s movements were a dance of power and agility as it sought to pin the creature down, refusing to let it escape into the mist.

  It was a fierce struggle, a clash of titans that shook the very ground beneath them. Igni, the Flame-Striped Tiger, stood an impressive four and a half feet tall at the shoulder, stretching an imposing eight feet in length and weighing hundreds of pounds of solid muscle. Despite his formidable size and strength, the battle was proving to be a daunting challenge.

  The serpent, equally massive at an astonishing forty feet in length, coiled and writhed with a serpentine grace that belied its bulk. Its scales glistened ominously, a tough armor that protected it from many attacks. Though Igni fought valiantly, attempting to pin the creature down, the snake was adept at using its agility to evade capture. It twisted and turned, its powerful body undulating like a living wave, managing to keep itself from being fully subdued while still remaining entangled in the tiger's grasp.

  As Igni sank his powerful jaws into the serpent's hide, he felt the resistance of the thick scales beneath him. With a determined growl, he bit down harder, and to Kai's surprise, he managed to pierce the tough exterior just enough to draw blood. The crimson liquid oozed from the wound down the creature's white scales. Igni was doing better than Kai had with his own blade, which had barely scratched the surface of the creature's defenses.

  Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

  The serpent hissed in pain and fury, its red eyes flashing with rage as it retaliated, snapping its jaws in a desperate attempt to shake off its assailant. Igni, undeterred, maintained his grip, using his powerful limbs to claw at the serpent's body, keeping the serpent from biting Igni in retaliation. The forest echoed with the sounds of their struggle—the growls of the tiger, the hisses of the snake, and the rustling of leaves as the two colossal beings fought for dominance.

  With a sudden, powerful motion, the serpent coiled its massive tail around Igni, using its sheer strength to throw the tiger back and finally free itself from the grip of its formidable opponent. Igni landed gracefully on his feet, his muscles coiled and ready to pounce again, but the white demonic snake was quick to retaliate.

  With a menacing hiss, the serpent unleashed a glob of venomous poison from its mouth toward Igni. The tiger reacted instinctively, leaping back just in time to avoid the toxic projectile. As the poison splattered against the ground, a sizzling sound filled the air, the noxious liquid eating away at the earth, leaving a charred mark in its wake.

  Now that Igni was no longer grappling with the snake, he approached the situation with newfound caution. The threat of the serpent's poisonous spit loomed large, and the tiger's instincts kicked in, urging him to be wary. The snake, sensing its advantage, began launching a series of poisonous globs toward Igni, each one a deadly missile aimed with precision.

  Igni darted to the side, his agility on full display as he dodged the incoming attacks. The forest around them became a chaotic dance of two apex predators, with the tiger weaving and leaping to evade the serpent's venomous projectiles. Despite his immense strength, Igni understood the gravity of the situation; one touch of that poison would be the end of him.

  The tension in the air was palpable as the two creatures circled each other, the serpent hissing and spitting venom while Igni remained agile and alert. Each time the snake launched a glob of poison, the tiger's instincts screamed at him to stay out of reach, to avoid the deadly touch of the serpent's toxic attack.

  Kai watched, his heart racing, as the battle unfolded before him in a whirlwind of motion and tension. Every muscle in his body was taut with anxiety as he observed the fierce determination in Igni's eyes, a blazing resolve to protect not only himself but also Kai. Yet, as the fight progressed, Kai could see the writing on the wall. Igni had missed his initial opportunity to pin the serpent down, and now the snake was on high alert, unwilling to let the tiger approach again.

  The realization struck Kai like a cold wave: if Igni were to get hit by that poison, even if he somehow managed to win the battle, the tiger would be done for. The venom was lethal, and the tiger would succumb to its effects quickly. Kai couldn’t allow that to happen. He couldn’t bear the thought of losing he spirit beast that had come to his aid when he needed it most.

  “Igni! Run! Don’t worry about me!” Kai yelled, his voice breaking through the chaos of the battle. He felt a surge of desperation, knowing that he had to get through to the tiger before it was too late.

  But Igni didn’t pay attention to Kai’s pleas. The tiger remained fixated on the demonic snake, growling low and deep, its body tense and ready to spring into action. The bond between them was strong, and Igni seemed to understand the stakes, but the spirit beast was driven by an instinctual need to protect, a fierce loyalty that made it unwilling to abandon its charge.

  Kai’s heart sank as he watched the two colossal beings square off, the serpent hissing menacingly while Igni stood his ground, muscles coiled like springs. The tension in the air was thick, and Kai felt a sense of helplessness wash over him.

  The serpent seemed to sense that the tide of battle was turning in its favor, a flicker of triumph crossing its features as it curled its lips into a slight smirk. It had successfully kept Igni at bay, and the confidence radiating from its massive form was palpable. The forest around them felt charged with its malevolence, the air thick with the scent of impending victory.

  But just as the serpent prepared to launch another glob of poison, a howl echoed through the mist, slicing through the tension like a knife.

  Patreon. If you want to read up to 36 chapters early you can head over there.