The alpha surveyed the fallen wolves, its gaze lingering on their shattered bodies and severed limbs.
It lowered its massive head, sniffing at the blood-soaked earth before lifting its eyes toward Leo. The stare felt heavy, like Leo's death was already decided.
Its eyes were cold and calculating.
Then it roared.
The sound tore through the forest like a thunderclap. Birds scattered from the treetops, and the fog trembled as if struck by an invisible hand.
The alpha moved. With each heavy step, dirt clung to its gray fur and thick paws.
The ground beneath it warped and cracked, sinking under its weight as though the forest itself was bowing.
Its scarred eye burned with experience, not rage. This was a predator that had survived countless battles.
Leo stood frozen. His legs refused to listen, locked in place unmoving as if his body already resigned to its fate.
Cold sweat dripped from his face. The noise of his own heartbeat pounding violently filled his ears. He gulped down his fear.
His grip tightened until the blood left his knuckles.
His instinct screamed at him to run.
But he didn't. If he turned his back now, he knew he wouldn't make it past three steps.
Drawing a shaky breath, Leo channeled his mana.
Fire surged into his sword.
Flames erupted along the blade, twisting and crackling violently, with heat washing over his face.
The metal hummed under the pressure, blazing like an active volcano.
The alpha halted. For the first time, surprise flickered across its gaze.
It snorted, drawing in air, then released it in a deafening roar.
The roar became wind. A violent blast tore through the clearing, bending trees and ripping leaves from their branches.
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Leo was hurled backward, boots skidding across the mud as he struggled to keep his footing.
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He crossed his flaming sword in front of him, digging his heel into the ground and barely stabilizing himself as the gale passed.
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His arms ached in pain. Every movement left him trembling as he fought not to be ripped off the ground.
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The moment it stopped, Leo lunged forward. Sword raised and flames blazing, he charged straight for the alpha's throat.
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Reaching the wolf, his sword fell in a flash.
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The alpha wolf, just before getting slashed, thrust its head backward.
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Leo changed the attack as the fire burst forward from his sword, burning the wolf's shoulder slightly.
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The alpha growled in pain, lunging forward as its claws crashed against Leo's sword.
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A shock wave tore through the forest as the ground shook. Leo was thrown away, crushing trees before slumping to the ground.
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His vision dimmed, almost falling to unconsciousness as blood fell onto his face.
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Leo stood up on trembling knees.
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The impact reverberated through his internal organs, breaking bones in the process.
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The alpha charged forward, its jaws headed straight for him.
Leo couldn't dodge in time as his body fell to exhaustion.
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His limbs felt distant and uncontrollable.
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The wolf reached him, chomping down at his neck.
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The intense pain detonated inside his body.
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Leo could feel his head separating from his shoulders.
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The world narrowed to pain and sound, everything else fading into nothing.
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'...No I can't die like this!' Leo was seething with anger at the thought of dying pathetically again.
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'I am no match for it unless...'
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His mana churned chaotically. He could feel his veins burning.
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"Agh!" Leo let out a cry of pain.
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His body exploded in fire. The burning sensation disappeared as if he became one with the fire.
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The fear vanished first. A calm spread throughout his body.
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The wolf chomped down, but its mouth began burning, making it quickly spit out Leo.
As Leo was thrown toward the trees, the area where he landed lit up in flames.
Leo stood, a new power surging throughout his body.
His entire person was full of flames, and a mad grin spread across his face.
The alpha flinched, its eyes full of surprise. It realized unless it quickly killed this human, this would be a dangerous fight.
The balance tilted away from it, and the alpha knew that.
Steam started coming out of Leo's throat. The sound of bones snapping back together echoed across the forest.
"You actually forced me into this form." A rough voice came from Leo. His vocal cords were burned, however, he was healing rapidly.
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This was a last resort taught to him by Lucas, intended to save his life from dangerous situations.
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'... Ahh, the pain is fading away. It is like I never was injured.' Leo enjoyed the feeling. A soft smile was on his face, his eyes closed in comfort.
Somewhere deep inside, he knew this feeling wasn't normal, but he ignored it.
The wolf was in shock. It had never seen such a human. It quickly lunged forward, attempting to slash his chest.
But Leo didn't stand still. His new form exploded in speed, dodging easily before throwing a punch at the wolf.
He engulfed the wolf in flames.
The wolf started rolling around in the dirt in pain.
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Leo seized the opportunity, jumping with great vitality and soaring in the air.
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He delivered an axe kick straight to the alpha's head.
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The alpha couldn't endure the pain, letting out a gust of wind from its mouth.
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Falling to the ground, Leo immediately stood back up.
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Leo held his position, his eyes gleaming with exhilaration at the fight.
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The alpha moved faster than Leo could see, a product of its wind element.
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Its large head rammed directly into Leo.
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Leo was hit before stabilizing his footing. He held the alpha's head.
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Gathering his strength, he concentrated his flames onto the alpha.
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The alpha sensed what he was trying to do before attempting to escape in a frenzy.
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Using its tail and sharp claws, it attacked him viciously to force him to let go.
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Leo's body was drenched with blood that evaporated in moments. The wounds closed before another opened.
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His eyes became hysterical, a side effect of using the flames on his body.
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The flames weren't just empowering him. They were eating away at the restraints he had.
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Leo knew he had to end this immediately before he was forced out of this form.
As he was preparing for a fatal attack that, if done wrong, would leave him in pieces, he gathered his all. Strength, flame, and sanity into a single moment.
A man appeared.
The pressure vanished as though it had never existed.