Chapter 11 - The Beast of Ash and Bone

Kade's POV

My first instinct was to run, and it did just that, but the horrid beast followed fast after me.

It defied the law of gravity and every other scientific law that exists. It was excessively long, ridiculously huge, swift, and glided so effortlessly as though it had no spine.

Sharp claws sank deep into my skin from behind. I lost my balance and rolled over. 

I turned around to face the beast, pulling out my claws and fangs, ready to draw blood. I rushed at the beast and sliced through its ribs, expecting to see blood, but its wide-open ribs only blazed like a furnace of white flames.

"What the hell is this thing?" 

It opened its mouth angrily and breathed cinders and ash all over me. I ducked and created a safe distance between us. Coming here without Riven was a bad idea.

I stared at the hellish being, assessing it again. Its face—if it can be termed that—was an overly narrow cranium and a mouth that was cleft ear to ear. Rows of teeth overlapped in ragged spirals, clacking against each other like blades. Its eyes burned with fiery light like two suns, merciless and blazing.

It approached me again. This time with stealth, the room trembled with each stride.

"Alpha, this is not a Wraithborn; it's unlike anything you've ever seen. It is the primal hunger of the gods. Your soul will feed its fire; if you fail, it'll consume you.

Right on cue, and if it has been listening, the beast lunges at me again, but I blocked its attack and sliced across its ribs again.

Sparks of silver flew. Even the finest steel should have been ripped through by the hit, but the beast did not recoil.

Instead, heat surged outward like a wave as its furnace flame ignited. 

The skin behind my burnt fur blistered. I staggered back with a snarl, my eyes stinging from ash and smoke.

Out of nowhere came the annoying, snarky voice of the chaperon, "Your agility and stealth are impressive, Alpha, but it's not enough. You need more than that to withstand the wrath of the gods."

With a loud roar that sent mirror fragments flying and limbs folding, twisting, and striking from unthinkable angles, the beast reappeared. 

Blood spattered on the stone as its wicked claw scraped my side. I staggered to my knees as the pain travelled down my spine.

Despite the pain, I pushed myself to stand. "A true Alpha never yields," my father's words blurred through the speakers of my mind. "An Alpha fights till the end."

With a loud cry, I charged again. This time, I didn't stop at the surface; my claws dug deep into the fiery rib cage of the beast. I believed I had it for a heartbeat, so I dug my fangs into the beast's throat to finish off, but it didn't bleed. Instead, white flames burst out with a force that sent me crashing into the wall.

Sharp pain tore through me. I couldn't breathe. There was no way through. The beast doesn't bleed, never gets tired, and the longer we fought, the hotter the furnace in its insides burned. 

My vision blurred. It was physically and mentally draining. Though my lungs were clogged with smoke and my ribs hurt, I forced myself to stand. My claws still burned dimly from digging into fire rather than flesh, but I ignored the sting. 

The beast circled around me, almost delighted, as if to test me, as if I were but a new toy to satisfy its never-ending appetite.

I raised my chin and spat out the blood in my mouth, saying, "I've fought shadows, wraithborn, and even gods in my dreams. I am not intimidated by you."

Its furnace ribs flashing brighter in response. Then it let out an angry growl as it lunged at me again.

I was ready. I quickly leaped and spun mid-air, raking my claws across its face instead of aiming for its ribs. Sparks went flying.

I was shocked as it flinched back and slammed its enormous head on the ground. The room stilled.

"Yes," I gleamed with internal triumph. "Take that!"

Unfortunately, my victory was short-lived. Soon, victory was fleeting. The skin closed in, healing itself and leaving no evidence of the previous wound, not even a single scar. 

In a matter of seconds, my big win was reduced to nothing.

The beast smiled as it raised its blazing eyes. Its sharp teeth clicked together in a cadence that seemed too intentional, but it wasn't a genuine smile. It was a mockery.

With its claws dropping like falling mountains, it lunged once more. After evading twice, it sliced through my back by the third swipe. The pain was blazing hot. A shard of broken mirror smashed into my leg as I dropped, nearly collapsing my knees in the process.

I gathered some broken glass from the floor and sprayed the beast. It pulled back for a split second, but the glass melted as soon as it kissed its skin. 

I roared angrily and got on my feet, saying, "You're not invincible!" My breathing was labored, but I wouldn't bow. I wouldn't give in so easily. "I am Alpha. I'm the predator, not the prey!"

I ran at the lethal creature, using its enormous size to my advantage. I jumped on its arm as it slammed a claw down, and sped up the furnace-rib cage toward its skull. I continued despite my fur burning and my flesh blistered from the heat. I snarled and pressed my claws into its eyes, intending to tear the blazing eyes from it.

A thunderous rumble engulfed the room.

Convulsing, the beast repeatedly slammed its head against the wall in an attempt to shake me away. My claws tore at flaming sockets as my grip faltered, and eventually I was flung off, falling to the ground, coughing blood.

I tried to stand, but my body failed me. I was spent. I could only watch as blood gushed out of me in torrents. My eyes fluttered shut. But just before they were closed. A voice pierced the room. Gentle. Impossible.

"Kade?" She called in a light whisper.

"Nyra." I managed.