Joshua gritted his teeth as he dodged another strike, his body moving by instinct. Every attack he landed only seemed to push the beasts further into a frenzy, their speed and aggression multiplying. His usual tactics weren't working, and the battlefield was turning into a nightmare.
He tried switching strategies—aiming for their legs, targeting their eyes, even using bursts of energy to stagger them—but nothing stopped their relentless assault. No matter what he did, they adapted, countering his moves faster than he could adjust.
Joshua leaped back, breathing heavily. "This isn't working," he muttered, wiping sweat from his brow. He had to end at least one of them before they overwhelmed him completely.
Kweku Ananse watched from a distance, arms crossed. "Manage to kill one of them," he said, his tone casual but firm. "I'll handle the rest."
Joshua clenched his fists. He had no choice. If he held back any longer, they would tear him apart. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, focusing every ounce of his energy on a single, concentrated attack. His body surged with power, red energy crackling violently around him.
One of the creatures lunged at him, its mouth opening wide for another devastating blast. But this time, Joshua didn't dodge. He planted his feet firmly and drove his fist forward with everything he had.
The impact was deafening. A shockwave erupted from the point of contact, blasting through the beast's skull. The creature let out a final, gurgling snarl before collapsing to the ground, lifeless.
Joshua stumbled back, gasping for air. He had done it. He had killed one.
Kweku Ananse sighed, rolling his shoulders. "Finally. Now, watch closely."
In an instant, he moved. One moment he was standing still, the next, he was a blur of motion. The six-legged wolves barely had time to react before Kweku Ananse tore through them like a force of nature.
He weaved between them effortlessly, striking with inhuman precision. Each attack was swift and brutal—single, decisive blows that ended lives instantly. Limbs twisted unnaturally, heads snapped, and bodies crumpled to the ground as he moved with merciless efficiency.
Within seconds, the battlefield was silent. The once-relentless creatures lay lifeless, their monstrous forms still.
Joshua stared, barely able to process what he had just witnessed.
Kweku Ananse dusted off his hands, glancing at Joshua with a smirk. "That's how you finish a fight."
As the dust settled, the battlefield was left in eerie silence. The ground was scarred with scorch marks and deep claw gashes, evidence of the brutal fight that had just taken place. The air was thick with the lingering scent of burned fur and blood, mixing with the acrid smell of smoldering earth.
The surviving warriors moved quickly, tending to the wounded, binding their injuries with practiced efficiency. Others gathered the bodies of their fallen comrades, their faces grim with sorrow but resolute. They worked in silence, understanding the weight of what had been lost.
Once the bodies were assembled, the leader of the warriors stepped forward, his presence commanding yet approachable. He was a tall, broad-shouldered man with deep brown skin and a face lined with battle experience. His short, tightly coiled hair was streaked with faint hints of gray, and his sharp eyes carried both wisdom and the weight of leadership. A deep scar ran down his left cheek, a mark of past battles. He wore a reinforced leather tunic with metal plating over his shoulders, practical yet sturdy armor that had clearly seen its share of combat.
He raised his hand, and with a controlled breath, flames erupted from his palm. The fire flickered with an unnatural intensity, fueled by his ability. Carefully, he set the flames upon the fallen, watching as the fire consumed them. The warriors stood in solemn respect, honoring their dead as the smoke drifted into the sky.
When the ceremony was complete, the leader turned to Joshua and Kweku Ananse. His expression was filled with both gratitude and exhaustion. "You have our thanks. If you hadn't arrived when you did, none of us would be standing here."
Joshua nodded, still catching his breath. Kweku Ananse merely smirked, folding his arms.
The leader continued, "We were out here hunting lower-shade creatures—goat-like beasts that are usually easy prey. But out of nowhere, those six-legged wolves appeared. Middle-shaped creatures." His face darkened. "They overwhelmed us in an instant. We never stood a chance."
A warrior beside him shook his head. "If you hadn't come, we'd all be dead."
The weight of those words settled over the group. Joshua exhaled slowly, his mind still processing the battle. The six-legged wolves were unlike anything he had faced before. If these were only middle-shaped creatures, then what other horrors lurked in this world?
Kweku Ananse chuckled, breaking the silence. "Well, that was an entertaining little warm-up."
Joshua glanced at him, but he didn't argue. One thing was clear—this world was far more dangerous than he had imagined. And this was just the beginning.
"I even forgot to introduce myself," "I am Nelson Ackah, leader of this hunting unit," he said, his voice steady and firm. "We owe you both our lives."
Joshua straightened, brushing dust from his clothes before meeting Nelson's gaze. "My name is Joshua Destiny," he said. He then gestured to the smirking figure beside him. "And he is Kweku Ananse."
Kweku Ananse gave a half-hearted wave, his grin never fading. "Pleasure."
Nelson studied them both, his expression unreadable for a moment before he gave a small nod. "You're not from here, are you?"
Joshua hesitated. He wasn't sure how much he should reveal, but before he could answer, Nelson sighed. "Never mind." You saved us, and that's enough for now.
Nelson glanced at his warriors and gave a firm nod. "Gather all the beasts and remove their shadow stones."
Joshua's brow furrowed. "Shadow stones?"
Before Nelson could answer, Kweku Ananse chuckled, crossing his arms. "They are the life core of creatures," he explained. "Every beast in this world has one." The stronger the creature, the darker the shade of its stone.
Joshua observed as the warriors carefully extracted the glowing stones from the fallen beasts, their colors dim gray.
"There are four shades," Kweku Ananse continued. Lower, middle, higher, and super-shaded creatures. The six-legged wolves we just fought? Middle shade. Dangerous, but not the worst out here.
Joshua's grip tightened slightly. If these were only middle-shaded beasts, then what kind of monsters lurked in the higher and super shades?
"And what are they used for?" Joshua asked, watching as the warriors carefully collected the stones.
Kweku Ananse smirked. "Simple," he said. "They're used to amplify or evolve abilities. Shadow stones hold the essence of the creatures they come from. Absorbing one can strengthen your power, refine it, or even awaken something new—if you can handle it."
Joshua's gaze flickered towards the stones in the warriors' hands. The idea of absorbing power from fallen beasts intrigued him, but he could already tell there was a risk involved. "And what happens if you can't handle it?"
Kweku Ananse chuckled darkly. "Then the stone handles you."
Joshua narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean by 'the stone handles you'?"
Kweku Ananse folded his arms, his smirk never fading. "It means exactly what it sounds like. Shadow stones aren't just raw power—they carry the essence of the creature they came from. If someone weak or unprepared tries to absorb one, the beast's lingering will might take over, corrupting them."
Joshua frowned, glancing at the dark stones in the warriors' hands. "So, they could lose themselves?"
"Or worse," Kweku Ananse said, his tone turning serious for once. Some have gone mad. Others… well, let's just say their bodies couldn't contain the power. He snapped his fingers. "Boom. Gone."
Joshua exhaled sharply. Shadow stones weren't just dangerous—they were a gamble.