The bear concentrated its divine energy into its claws. Its obsidian talons gleamed with a metallic luster as it swiped vertically downward, it tore the air itself.
A crescent of violent energy surged forward, ripping through earth and stone.
"Teleport."
Pharon vanished an instant before impact, reappearing several meters away. The energy arc did not stop. It carved a deep scar across the ground. It finally crashed against the transparent shield at the temple's boundary, which flickered but held.
"Sir," he said, forcing steadiness into his voice, "This is the temple of Hecate, Lady of Death. Please refrain from desecration."
"THIS PLACE CEASED TO BE SACRED THE INSTANT IT BOWED TO AN UNDERWORLD WHORE." the bear roared, charging forward, its sharp claws tearing grooves in the ground.
It made a great leap. "AND TODAY I WILL CORRECT THIS MISTAKE!"
Pharon glared and slowly raised a hand toward the beast. He murmured, "Then bear the consequences for insulting my patron—FLAME BURST."
A giant crimson sphere concentrated in his palm. As the bear closed the distance, its claws aimed at his face, Pharon hurled the searing fireball with immense speed.
The crimson flare struck the bear's chest, launching it into the air before detonating in a massive explosion.
The bear crashed to the ground. The blast wasn't enough to kill it, but its white fur was charred and smoking.
"Grr…"
It gritted its teeth. Suddenly, its muscles bulged, and its body grew intensely hot—steam rose from its skin even in the summer heat.
It slammed both paws into the earth. The ground shook; massive, jagged stones erupted and shot skyward.
"Levitate."
A whitish film of energy enveloped Pharon, and he levitated into the air. Just below him, a sharp stone spire thrust upward. He banked sideways, dodging it by a hair's breadth, the stone grazing his skin.
But the bear didn't let up. It leaped up, punching and kicking the massive stones, shattering them into smaller, dagger-like projectiles. With terrifying momentum, it hurled these sharp fragments toward Pharon from all directions.
Each shattered boulder multiplied the assault, until the air itself became a cage of blades.
"Teleport. Shield."
Pharon vanished, reappearing a short distance away, barely dodging the main volley. But the bear had anticipated this—its divine pressure crushing the shield before the punch even landed. The blow followed, merciless.
"Physical Enforcement."
Pharon used his power to enhance his body's strength and defense, crossing his arms to block. The force was overwhelming. The bones in both his arms fractured; muscle and blood sprayed from ruptured skin.
"Aaaaaaahhh!!!"
A hellish scream tore from his throat. Pain blurred into terror. Not of death—but of failure. If he fell here, the temple would fall next, and everything he had sworn to protect would vanish with him.
Gravity pulled the bear down; otherwise, the next attack would have been the last.
The bear lunged again, aiming a final, devastating blow.
Pharon gritted his teeth, enduring the agony. "Magma… Lance… Teleport."
Several lances of molten rock hurtled toward the bear. Pharon teleported a short distance away, focusing his energy on healing.
"Tsk!"
The bear punched one lance aside and used the momentum to evade the others, but in doing so, its paw was completely scorched, leaving only bone.
The lances struck the ground, creating a small pond of lava.
Heat warped the air. Stones cracked and sank at the edges of the molten pool, releasing sharp, sulfur-tinged fumes that burned Pharon's lungs with every breath.
The bear glanced at its ruined hand. Divine blood worked at full throttle, already beginning to regenerate the flesh. It glared at Pharon, whose own arms were still knitting back together.
The lava pond now lay between them.
The bear took a long breath and held it. Pharon raised his nearly healed hand. A massive sphere of water formed behind him.
The bear released a torrent of flame—a breath comparable to that of a legendary dragon.
"Water Jet."
A massive column of water shot forward.
Flame and water collided over the lava pond. Steam exploded from the clash, mixing with the sulfurous gases from the lava.
Visibility dropped to zero, but neither side yielded.
Suddenly, the water jet gained the advantage. Pharon pushed harder, increasing the pressure, driving the fiery breath back.
Just as the jet was about to strike the bear's head, the beast ducked and charged forward. Using the mist as cover, its fist sank into Pharon's torso.
He felt pressure—then nothing.
He was launched upward, a gaping hole torn through his chest. The bear leaped after him, slamming him down with all its might.
Bones splintered. Organs ruptured. His body collapsed into a ruined heap—yet a single spark of awareness clung stubbornly to life.
Through his hazy vision, he saw the bear approaching, a grim smile on its face. He closed his eyes and prayed to Hecate. "Your Holiness… please… forgive this servant… Even with your power… I failed to protect the temple."
As he awaited Thanatos to reap his soul, an eerie whisper filled his ear. "Do you want more power?" The voice was low and ambiguous, as if multiple entities spoke as one.
"Who… are you?"
"We don't have time for this. Choose quickly—yes or no."
He hesitated. The source was unknown, the price unstated. But memories flashed before his eyes—the old hermit, his childhood, this temple, every stone and shadow that was home.
The bear raised both paws high for the final strike.
"Say it quickly, kid. Yes or no?"
"YES!!!"
Time slowed. Each heartbeat echoed like a funeral drum. Pharon realized, with bitter clarity, that this was the limit of strength earned honestly—and it was not enough.
"Very well. I grant you power… in exchange for your SOUL."
Energy surged through his dying body. His wounds healed in an instant, and an enormous wave of power erupted from him.