Shadow of the Hunt

Kilua darted between the trees, Alluka held tightly in his arms. Behind him, the chimera beast roared, the sound reverberating through the forest. Each step felt heavier as adrenaline surged through his veins, but he couldn't stop. Not now.

"Kilua!" Alluka's voice was filled with fear, her grip around his neck tightening. "It's getting closer!"

"I know!" Kilua shouted back, glancing over his shoulder. The massive beast was charging after them, its red eyes glowing with unrelenting fury. Even with Illumi engaging it, the creature seemed fixated on them.

The forest blurred around them as Kilua pushed himself harder, his lightning aura crackling faintly as he propelled his movements. But the beast was gaining, and he could feel its oppressive presence bearing down on them.

"Hang on!" Kilua said, veering sharply to the right. He spotted a dense thicket ahead, its tangled branches offering a potential barrier. It wasn't much, but it was the best he had.

The beast snarled, crashing through the trees with brute force. Each step it took shook the ground, sending shockwaves through the forest floor. Kilua leapt over a fallen log, narrowly avoiding the beast's swipe, and skidded into the thicket.

"Alluka, stay low!" Kilua whispered urgently as he ducked beneath the foliage.

The chimera beast paused, its massive head swiveling as it sniffed the air. Its growl rumbled like distant thunder, but for the moment, it didn't move.

Kilua held his breath, his heart pounding in his chest. He glanced at Alluka, who was trembling but silent. Her wide eyes met his, and he gave her a small nod of reassurance.

But the reprieve was short-lived. A sudden burst of movement drew the beast's attention, and Kilua's blood ran cold as he saw Illumi emerge from the shadows, his needles gleaming in the moonlight.

"Kilua," Illumi's voice was calm, but his words carried an unmistakable edge. "You can't run forever. This beast won't stop until it gets what it wants."

"What does that even mean?" Kilua snapped, his voice low but filled with frustration. "You brought this thing here, didn't you?"

Illumi's expression remained unreadable. "No. But its arrival is… convenient."

"Convenient?!" Kilua's anger flared. "You think this is some kind of game?"

"I think," Illumi said, stepping closer, "that this is an opportunity. For you to understand what it means to make hard choices. To embrace the strength you've been running from."

Kilua clenched his teeth, his mind racing. He couldn't trust Illumi, but he also couldn't fight both him and the beast. He needed a plan—and fast.

Suddenly, the chimera beast roared, its patience wearing thin. It charged toward them, its massive claws tearing through the thicket. Kilua pushed Alluka behind him, his aura flaring as he prepared to fight.

"Stay back," Kilua warned, his voice low and fierce.

The beast lunged, and Kilua darted to the side, his lightning-charged fist striking its flank. The creature roared in pain but didn't slow down. It swiped at Kilua, forcing him to leap back to avoid the devastating blow.

Illumi watched the battle with detached interest, his needles poised but unmoving.

"Help me or stay out of my way!" Kilua shouted, his frustration boiling over.

Illumi raised an eyebrow. "You don't need my help, Kilua. You're stronger than this. Prove it."

Kilua growled in frustration, but he didn't have time to argue. The beast lunged again, and Kilua met its attack head-on, his aura crackling as he poured everything he had into his strikes.

But the creature was relentless, its strength seemingly endless. Kilua's movements grew slower, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

From behind, Alluka's voice rang out. "Kilua! Let me help!"

"No!" Kilua shouted, his voice desperate. "Stay back!"

"But—"

"I said no!" Kilua's voice cracked, but the determination in his eyes was unwavering. "I won't let you get hurt, Alluka. Not again."

The chimera beast roared, its claws slashing through the air. Kilua dodged, but the attack grazed his side, drawing blood. He winced but didn't falter, his mind racing for a solution.

In the chaos, Illumi's voice rang out, cold and commanding. "This is your moment, Kilua. Make your choice. Fight for survival, or die protecting what you can't control."

Kilua's fists clenched as his brother's words echoed in his mind. He had spent his whole life fighting for survival, but this was different. This wasn't about him anymore.

This was about Alluka.

As the beast charged again, Kilua made his decision.

..............

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