James barely had time to react before the Emberfang Tiger lunged again, its flaming claws tearing through the air with terrifying precision. Each missed strike sent sparks spiraling around him, the heat licking at his skin.
He couldn't keep up this pace forever.
Then—he spotted it. A jagged rock formation just ahead, elevated enough to give him an advantage. If he could reach it, he'd gain not only height but a clear shot for his bow—his best chance at turning the battle in his favor.
With a sharp sidestep, he baited the creature into another reckless swipe, then pivoted hard, launching himself toward the incline.
The beast roared, flames rippling off its body as it realized his intent, its fiery claws raking the earth just inches from his back.
James gritted his teeth, forcing himself forward. If he could just reach the ledge before the Emberfang Tiger closed the gap, he'd have one shot to take control of this fight.
James vaulted onto the rocky ledge , barely escaping another blazing swipe as the Emberfang Tiger roared beneath him, flames rolling off its obsidian-black fur.
From here, he had range—a chance to turn the battle. But he couldn't afford a single wasted movement.
His bow flashed to his grip, an arrow already nocked. His fingers danced over its shaft, inscribing a quickfire rune, the arcane energy crackling along its length. The moment he pulled back the string, the rune ignited, pulsing with unstable power.
The beast sensed the shift.
The Emberfang Tiger growled, embers flaring at its throat, muscles coiling. It was about to strike again.
James let his arrow fly.
A burst of arcane energy tore through the air—the explosive rune activating mid-flight, transforming the projectile into a streaking bolt of magical force.
But the beast was fast—too fast.
It twisted at the last moment, flames igniting in its wake as the arrow missed its core, instead detonating against the scorched earth, sending a shockwave of fire and dust into the air.
James gritted his teeth.
James barely had time to prepare for his next shot when the Emberfang Tiger let out a furious roar, embers scattering around its massive frame.
The beast launched forward, its claws tearing into the rock as it raced up the incline toward him, heat rippling through the air with each movement.
James reacted instantly. Another rune—this time a piercing effect—etched onto the arrow in his grip. The moment he pulled back the string, the energy surged, crackling along the shaft in an electric-blue glow.
He loosed the shot. A perfect strike, aimed straight for the beast's chest.
But the Emberfang Tiger was faster. Too fast.
It twisted mid-air, flames bursting from its paws, kicking off the rock and veering sharply to the side. The arrow whistled past, missing its heart by inches, instead slamming into its shoulder, embedding deep.
The beast snarled in pain but didn't falter.
James barely had time to nock another arrow before it closed the gap completely, leaping toward him in a fiery frenzy.
He barely had time to react as the Emberfang Tiger closed the distance, flames curling around its limbs as it slammed into him with brutal force.
Pain exploded through his side as its claws raked across his armor, slicing through the reinforced plating like it was paper. The burning heat seared through the wound, and for a split second, his vision blurred from the intensity of it.
He staggered back, breath sharp, clutching his ribs. The strike was deep—not fatal, but enough to slow him down if he wasn't careful.
But he couldn't afford hesitation.
Grinding his teeth, James forced his body into motion, drawing another arrow, inscribing a rune mid-flight. The energy surged along the shaft, pulsing erratically as he fired.
The charged shot struck true, embedding deep into the Emberfang Tiger's hind leg. The rune detonated on impact, crackling against its molten fur, sending it staggering for the first time.
James exhaled, sweat dripping down his face, blood pooling beneath his fingertips.
Pain exploded through his side as the Emberfang Tiger's claws tore into his armor, slicing through the reinforced plating with terrifying ease.
He did not let himself falter. His mind locked into the fight, his focus crystal-clear. Every breath was measured, every movement calculated. There was no space for hesitation.
James didn't hesitate. His focus was razor-sharp, his movements instinctive. As the Emberfang Tiger lunged once more, he twisted sharply to the side, narrowly avoiding a full-force impact—but not entirely escaping its wrath.
Fiery claws scraped across his left arm, the searing pain immediate as heat burned through fabric and skin. The wound was deep, smoldering, but manageable.
He gritted his teeth, refusing to let it slow him. This was a battle of endurance now.
Drawing another arrow, he etched an impact rune faster than ever before, the magic pulsing wildly as he fired.
The shot hit clean. The rune detonated against the beast's flaming shoulder, sending cracks of energy rippling across its molten fur. For the first time, the Emberfang Tiger stumbled—a true injury taking hold.James didn't hesitate. He couldn't. The Emberfang Tiger lunged, its entire frame engulfed in flame, claws aiming straight for his throat. This was its killing strike.
Every muscle in James' body screamed with pain, but his mind was sharper than ever. He had seconds—no, less.
His fingers flew over the last arrow, inscribing a shattering rune with desperate speed. The unstable energy pulsed violently, the magic threatening to overload. This was it. One shot. One chance.
The beast's flaming fangs closed in—too close, too fast.
James fired.
The rune detonated mid-flight, turning the arrow into a roaring blast of arcane force that collided with the Emberfang Tiger's chest just before it reached him.
The explosion was deafening. The force of it sent James hurtling backwards, slamming into the rock so hard his vision went white.
Heat seared the air, the battlefield turning into a whirlwind of fire, smoke, and raw energy.
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