The rustling in the undergrowth grew louder, and before Thorne could fully turn, something massive collided with him. He hit the ground hard, his body slamming into the forest floor. Dirt and leaves scattered as he rolled to his feet, daggers already drawn. His breath came in sharp, controlled bursts, eyes scanning the dark.

  In the clearing ahead, the moonlight flickered over the creature that had attacked him. Thorne's heart stuttered. It was unlike anything he'd ever encountered in the wild.

  A beast of pure white fur, shimmering faintly under the light of the crescent moon, stood before him. Its eyes gleamed silver, radiating an intelligence and a power that sent a chill down his spine. The white panther—majestic, silent, terrifying. Its form was fluid, almost ethereal, moving like a wisp of moonlight come to life.

  Thorne’s instincts screamed at him: Run. This wasn’t a fight he could win. Every fiber of his being knew it. The panther exuded raw power, its very presence pressing against his mind in a way that Thorne had only felt once before—in Valewind, with the mysterious man whose core pulsed with unnatural energy.

  His body tensed, muscles taut as he prepared to move. Shadow Meld. It was his only chance.

  The panther’s silver eyes locked onto him, and Thorne felt his skin prickle with dread. His daggers felt like toys against the looming power of this beast. In an instant, he activated Stealth, slipping into the shadows, his form dissolving into the darkness.

  Move. Get out now. His mind raced, and his body obeyed, vanishing among the trees. He darted into the underbrush, the shadows concealing him, feet barely touching the ground as he moved with the practiced grace of a seasoned assassin.

  But the beast was faster.

  The Lunaris Panthera prowled after him, its movements effortless, gliding through the moonlit forest as if the very light itself bent to its will. Thorne’s heart hammered in his chest. Each breath was a gamble, each step a plea for the shadows to hold him.

  Then came the first strike.

  A flash of white, claws gleaming with a soft, deadly glow, sliced through the air. Thorne barely saw it coming. He ducked, but not fast enough. The beast’s claws grazed his side, tearing through his armor like it was paper. Pain shot through him, and he stumbled, blood already seeping through the gash.

  He hissed under his breath, eyes darting around for cover. Moonshadow Prowl, he realized. The panther had melded into the very light it commanded, moving through the moonlit patches of the forest as if it owned them.

  Thorne twisted, activating Burst of Speed. He needed distance. Trees blurred past as he ran, pushing his already strained body to its limits, but the beast was relentless. Another flash of light—a Lunar Beam—cut through the trees ahead, the energy slicing into a tree just inches from his face. Splinters rained down, and Thorne’s heart lurched. The creature was toying with him.

  He had to find a way out. He couldn’t outrun it forever.

  His mind raced, scanning through his skills. Shadow Meld, again. He slid into the deeper shadows beneath the canopy, hoping against hope that the panther couldn’t follow him here. The darkness swallowed him, and for a moment, there was silence. His breath slowed, heart pounding in his ears.

  Then the growl. Low, deep, vibrating through the very air around him.

  The Lunaris Panthera appeared from the shadows, its eyes glowing as it prowled closer. Thorne realized too late—the creature wasn’t fooled. Its eyes reflected the moonlight, silver and sharp, seeing through his stealth like it was nothing.

  Another strike.

  This time, the claws raked across his back, a vicious blow that sent him crashing forward into a tree. He hit hard, vision blurring for a moment. The pain was unbearable. He could feel the warmth of his blood spilling from the wound, his body screaming in protest. He staggered to his feet, daggers still in hand, but the beast was on him again before he could react.

  A Lunar Claw strike hit him dead-on, sending him tumbling into the dirt, the wind knocked out of him. He gasped, trying to draw breath, but it felt like his chest was caving in. The panther circled him, its fur glowing faintly under the crescent moon.

  Thorne’s mind was reeling, trying to make sense of it all. He couldn’t beat this thing. Not here. Not now. But he couldn’t run forever. His legs shook, exhaustion from the previous battle weighing him down. His aether reserves were low, his body aching with fatigue. Every breath was labored, every movement sluggish.

  The panther snarled, silver eyes gleaming in the dark. It was preparing for the kill.

  Thorne’s instincts flared. He couldn’t hide. He couldn’t run. If he was going to survive this, he had to fight. Even in his weakened state, he had no choice but to confront it.

  Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to stand. Pain radiated through his body with every movement, but he locked eyes with the panther. The creature’s power was almost overwhelming making his body bow from the energy coming off in waves.

  But he focused, his mind honing in on its core. He felt the presence of it—a pulsing energy, ancient and fierce, just like the man in Valewind. That familiar, untouchable force.

  It was now or never.

  He couldn’t run. Not anymore. His only option was to fight, to rely on every skill, every instinct honed through years of training. His body screamed for rest, but Thorne had long since learned to ignore pain. His hand tightened around his daggers as his mind calculated the creature’s next move.

  With no choice left, Thorne activated Aether Surge.

  Immediately, aether flooded his system, heightening his strength, speed, and reflexes. He felt his muscles tighten, his body lightening under the sudden boost. But he knew the cost. The clock was ticking now—he had only a limited window before the surge would drain him dry, leaving him vulnerable.

  The white panther prowled forward, the moonlight shimmering off its sleek, white fur. The air around the beast seemed to hum with energy, each step deliberate, its silver eyes locked on Thorne, as if it knew he was running out of time.

  Thorne braced himself as the beast lunged.

  Its Lunar Claws gleamed in the moonlight, slashing through the air faster than Thorne expected. He barely ducked in time, the claws ripping through his sleeve and grazing his arm. The pain was immediate, sharp, but Thorne ignored it. He countered with a quick slash from his dagger, aiming for the panther’s exposed flank.

  The blade connected, slicing into the beast’s side, but the wound was shallow. The panther twisted mid-air, its glowing claws coming down in a vicious arc. Thorne dodged again, but the panther was faster this time—too fast. The claws raked across his back, cutting through cloth and flesh. Thorne gasped, stumbling forward from the force of the strike.

  Blood seeped from the wound, but Thorne didn’t falter. He activated Bloodletting, aiming for multiple quick cuts to sap the beast’s strength. His daggers flashed, finding their mark again and again, leaving crimson streaks across the panther’s pristine fur. But each time he struck, the panther retaliated with brutal efficiency.

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  Before Thorne could recover, the panther lashed out with its hind legs, kicking him square in the chest. The impact knocked the wind from his lungs, sending him sprawling to the ground. He rolled to his feet, panting, eyes never leaving the beast.

  The moon panther was already on him again, relentless in its assault. It darted forward, jaws snapping at his throat. Thorne twisted, just narrowly avoiding the deadly bite, but the beast’s claws followed, catching him across the thigh. He cried out as the sharp pain shot up his leg, forcing him to stagger back.

  The panther wasn’t just faster. It was stronger—its level far beyond Thorne’s. Every strike carried a weight that Thorne could barely match. He knew that if the fight dragged on much longer, the beast would wear him down.

  I need to end this fast.

  Desperation surged through him. He used Invisible Threads, weaving the delicate strands of aether into the air around him. He needed to control the battlefield, to dictate the fight on his terms. As the panther circled him again, preparing for another attack, Thorne sent one of the threads toward its front paw. Just as the panther leaped, he yanked hard.

  The beast stumbled mid-air, its balance thrown off. Thorne took the opening, darting in with his Lethal Flurry. His daggers struck in rapid succession, carving deep gashes into the panther’s side. Blood sprayed from the wounds, and the beast howled in fury.

  But it wasn’t enough.

  The panther recovered almost immediately, its silver eyes narrowing with lethal intent. Thorne saw the glow gathering in its eyes and realized with a sickening certainty what was coming next—Lunar Beam.

  He tried to dodge, but he wasn’t fast enough.

  The beam of concentrated moonlight shot forward, striking him square in the chest. The impact sent him flying backward, crashing through the underbrush. His back slammed into a tree, and for a moment, his vision went dark. Pain radiated through his body, the taste of blood filling his mouth.

  Thorne gasped for air, barely able to breathe, but he forced himself to stand. He couldn’t stay down—not if he wanted to live.

  The panther prowled forward, its movements slower now, blood dripping from the wounds he had inflicted. But its eyes still glowed with that cold, relentless power, and Thorne knew it wasn’t done.

  The panther pulled back, its silver eyes flashing dangerously. Thorne saw it then—the gathering of energy, the way the creature’s eyes began to glow with a fierce intensity. It was preparing to unleash another Lunar Beam.

  He needed to act fast.

  Thorne quickly summoned Invisible Threads, weaving the aether into fine, nearly invisible lines that snaked through the air. He watched the beast’s movements carefully, calculating the exact moment. Just as the panther was about to release the beam, Thorne sent one of the threads whipping around its front paw and yanked hard.

  The panther staggered, its aim thrown off. The Lunar Beam shot wide, carving through the trees behind Thorne instead of hitting him dead-on. The force of the beam sliced clean through the trunks of several trees, and they collapsed with a deafening crash.

  But Thorne had no time to admire his success. The panther recovered faster than he expected, its eyes narrowing in fury. It was learning, adapting to his tactics.

  The beast charged again, its claws glowing brighter under the moonlight. Thorne could feel the beast’s power increasing with each passing moment as the moon climbed higher in the sky. He had to finish this, and soon.

  He activated Aether Burst, sending a shockwave of energy toward the beast. The panther staggered back, more wounds opening along its fur, but it didn’t retreat. It shook off the attack, snarling as it charged forward again.

  This time, Thorne wasn’t fast enough.

  The panther’s Lunar Claws slammed into his side, slicing through his armor like butter. The force of the strike sent him sprawling once more, blood pouring from the deep gashes. His vision blurred, the world spinning around him. He was losing too much blood. His body was failing him.

  Focus. Don’t stop.

  Thorne’s mind raced. He had to stay calm. He was an assassin—a hunter. His skills had always been about precision, not brute force. And right now, his only advantage was his mind.

  The panther charged again, but Thorne was ready. He activated Shadow Meld, slipping into the shadows just as the beast’s claws came down. He darted behind a tree, using the cover to regroup. The panther growled, prowling the clearing, its glowing eyes searching for him.

  Thorne used the brief moment of cover to assess his injuries. The wounds were deep, but not fatal. He could still move—barely. His aether reserves were dwindling, the Aether Surge pushing him closer to his limit. He had to finish this soon, or the beast would tear him apart.

  As the panther moved past him, Thorne struck from the shadows. He aimed for the beast’s legs, slashing at the tendons with Bloodletting, hoping to weaken its mobility. His blade connected, drawing blood, but the panther whipped around with startling speed, its claws catching him across the arm.

  Thorne hissed in pain, but didn’t back down. He darted to the side, using Invisible Threads again to trip the panther as it charged. The beast stumbled, giving Thorne a precious second to strike. He lunged forward, driving his dagger deep into the panther’s side.

  The beast howled, but it wasn’t done yet.

  With a savage roar, the panther activated Eclipse Howl. The world around them darkened, the moonlight flickering as shadows consumed the clearing. Thorne felt the air grow heavy, disorienting him. His senses dulled, his vision clouded. The panther moved through the shadows like a ghost, invisible and deadly.

  Damn it, where is it? Thorne’s heart raced, every muscle tense as he tried to track the beast. He couldn’t see it, couldn’t hear it—but he could feel it. The air shifted, a subtle change that told him the panther was close.

  Too close.

  The panther appeared out of the darkness, claws glowing with lethal moonlight. Thorne’s instincts screamed at him to move, but the aura of the Eclipse Howl slowed his reactions. He barely managed to deflect the strike, his daggers vibrating from the force of the blow.

  He needed an opening. A moment to strike.

  He wasn’t done. Not yet.

  With a final, desperate effort, he activated Aether Burst once more, sending another shockwave of energy toward the panther. The beast recoiled, its body flickering in and out of the shadows as the burst hit it head-on.

  Thorne staggered, barely able to stand, but he saw his opening. The panther was weakened, bleeding heavily from the wounds he had inflicted. Its movements were slower now, more deliberate.

  He couldn’t let up.

  Thorne activated Burst of Speed again, forcing his exhausted body to move faster. He dashed forward, his daggers flashing in the moonlight. He aimed for the panther’s throat, driving his blades deep into its flesh. The beast roared in pain, its body trembling as it struggled to stay upright.

  But Thorne didn’t stop. He twisted the blades, tearing through muscle and bone, blood spraying across the clearing.

  The panther let out a final, desperate growl, its strength fading as it collapsed to the ground. Its silver eyes dimmed, the glow of the moonlight fading from its body.

  Thorne stood over the beast, panting heavily, his body trembling with exhaustion. Blood dripped from his wounds, his vision swimming, but he had done it.

  He had won.

  The moon panther was defeated.

  Thorne collapsed to the ground, his entire body trembling with exhaustion. The wounds from the panther’s claws burned, and his muscles screamed in agony. He could barely breathe, his chest rising and falling in shallow gasps. His vision blurred, and he could feel the last traces of his aether slipping away, leaving him drained.

  He closed his eyes, hoping to find a moment of peace, a second to let his body rest. A long list of notifications waited at the edge of his vision, skill level-ups, for defeating such a powerful foe. But he ignored them, too tired to focus.

  For now, all he wanted was sleep.

  But even with his eyes closed, something changed. A bright light, impossible to ignore, pierced the darkness behind his eyelids. His heart skipped a beat, and his eyes snapped open.

  Thorne scrambled to his feet, every movement sending jolts of pain through his battered body. He winced, struggling to stand as the world came back into focus.

  The body of the moon panther lay before him, still and silent. But something was wrong. The outline of the beast shimmered, glowing faintly with aether. The air around it crackled with energy, and before Thorne’s eyes, the dead panther’s form began to change.

  A phantasmic shape—radiant and luminous—rose from the corpse, its form like the echo of the beast he had just fought. The translucent figure was made entirely of aether, glowing with a soft, pulsing light that filled the clearing. It hovered above the ground, its majestic body no longer bound by the physical world.

  Thorne was transfixed, his breath caught in his throat. The sheer presence of the thing was overwhelming, its aura radiating raw, untamed magic. The shapes within the spectral panther were shifting, interconnected in ways he couldn’t fully comprehend. They moved and twisted, forming complex patterns that glowed brighter with each passing second.

  The longer he stared, the more his skin prickled, a sensation that crawled up his spine. This wasn’t just a lingering spirit of the panther. It was something else—something older, deeper, and far more powerful than anything Thorne had ever encountered. The patterns within the ethereal form pulsed with life, intricate shapes that wove together like threads of the universe itself.

  It was beautiful. Terrifying.

  The shapes moved faster now, their complexity growing, radiating an energy that made the air hum with power. Thorne could feel it—this was magic beyond anything he had seen, beyond anything he had imagined.

  He stood there, bloodied and battered, staring up at the luminous, shifting form in a daze. His mind raced, trying to make sense of it all, but there were no answers. Only more questions.

  What the hell is going on?

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