The Mauler roared — a sound like a landslide tearing through timber — and charged. Its bark-plated hide shimmered with unnatural energy, sickly violet veins pulsing and crawling beneath the cracked surface. The ground shuddered with each thunderous step as it barreled toward the wall of panthers, claws tearing deep trenches into the forest floor. The moment they realized the beast had been invaded by Chaotic energy, tension rippled through the group.
Dark met the charge head-on, his panther form disappearing into a blur as he lunged for its throat, claws outstretched. Miren leapt simultaneously from the opposite side, angled for its ribs.
The Mauler twisted with impossible speed. Dark's claws missed by a breath, while its massive shoulder slammed into Miren with the force of a collapsing tree. The crack of impact echoed through the forest as Miren was sent hurtling through the underbrush, crashing through thick foliage until he vanished in a spray of leaves.
