Chapter 175: Chapter 175- Glowing horn
The lion lowered its head, lightning crackling along its fangs as it prepared to lunge at the battered Leighton. His body stiffened, ready to counter, when a sharp voice cut through his earpiece.
"Move, now!"
Instinct overrode exhaustion. He threw himself to the side just as the lion pounced, claws raking the ground where he had stood a heartbeat earlier.
Before the beast could recover, a blur of black fur slammed into its flank. Zoe, in her full wolf form, sank her jaws deep into the lion’s shoulder. Her snarl ripped through the air, savage and unrelenting, while the lion roared in pain, thrashing violently.
Vivi leapt from Zoe’s back, landing lightly on the scorched earth. She glanced at the wolf, then at Leighton, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "I did it."
Leighton wiped blood from his mouth, forcing himself upright with a grimace. "Good. That’s... good."
Her expression darkened as she took in his wounds. "You should rest. You’re in no condition—"
He cut her off with a shake of his head, voice rough but firm. "No need. I’ve had worse."
Meanwhile, Zoe’s fangs dug deeper, electricity sparking across her dark fur as she refused to let go. The lion bellowed, muscles straining, and with a sudden violent kick, it flung her away. Zoe yelped in pain as she was forced to release her bite, her massive frame crashing against the rocks.
Snarling, the lion turned its burning gaze toward them. Sparks began to crawl along its mane once more, the air thickening with static. This time, its rage was palpable.
Vivi’s eyes widened as she spotted a jagged horn sprouting from the beast’s forehead, glowing with raw power. Lightning swirled around it, building, expanding, until the very sky above began to tremble.
Her voice quivered as she whispered, "It’s getting stronger..."
The ground rumbled as the lightning gathered around the beast, no longer wild sparks but streams of raw energy twisting toward its body. Its mane flared outward, each strand glowing like molten wire, and the horn on its forehead pulsing with unstable electricity.
With a deafening roar, the lion’s muscles bulged, its frame swelling larger, more monstrous. Golden fur turned almost black under the flicker of crackling light, stripes of glowing blue burning across its body like living veins. Its claws, once simple weapons, now shimmered with arcs of lightning that carved the earth with every step.
Leighton staggered back, his eyes narrowing. "It’s transforming."
Zoe growled low, hackles rising, her wolf form bristling at the unnatural surge of power. Even she, savage as she was, took a step back, lips curling as if she sensed something far beyond an ordinary predator.
The lion lifted its head, eyes glowing white-hot. A wave of static pressure rippled outward, forcing dust and debris into the air. When it spoke, its growl was no longer just an animal’s, it reverberated like thunder.
Vivi clenched her daggers tighter, swallowing hard as she muttered, "I’m sick of this"
The lion’s new form pulsed with energy, its horn blazing like a beacon of stormfire. Without warning, the ground beneath their feet split as arcs of lightning burst outward, not a single strike but a rain of electricity that clawed at everything in reach.
Leighton barely had time to react. His instincts screamed, and he rolled aside just as a jagged bolt carved into the earth where he had stood, leaving molten rock in its wake. The air stung with the smell of ozone, his skin prickling from the sheer force of the discharge.
Zoe roared and leapt to intercept, but the beast’s lightning lashed out midair, smashing into her side. The impact sent her crashing into the ground, claws raking the dirt as she tried to steady herself, smoke rising from her singed fur.
Vivi’s eyes widened as another strike came for her. She activated Acceleration, the world slowing to a crawl as she dashed aside, the bolt chasing her shadow but missing by inches. Even so, the backlash of the shockwave flung her across the battlefield, tumbling until she skidded to a halt.
For a moment, everything was chaos, dust, fire, and raw electricity tearing apart the field. The lion stood at the center of it all, glowing like a living storm, its mane writhing with endless sparks.
The storm finally subsided enough for them to breathe. Dust and sparks lingered in the air, every inhale sharp with the tang of burnt ozone.
Leighton staggered back, planting his dagger into the ground for balance. His uniform was scorched, blood trickling down his arm, but his eyes stayed sharp. "The monster spiraled out of control," he muttered, scanning the lion’s glowing frame.
Zoe, still in her wolf form, let out a guttural growl. Her fur smoked from the lightning burn, but her stance remained low and defiant, refusing to back down.
Vivi dashed over, her daggers still glowing faintly from her skill. She crouched beside Leighton for a second, her voice steady despite her heavy breathing. "We can’t keep trading blows like this. One more attack like that and Zoe won’t get up again."
Leighton nodded grimly, forcing himself upright. "Then we don’t fight on its terms. No more head-on charges." He tapped the intercom at his ear, though his eyes never left the lion. "If we keep throwing ourselves at it, we’re just feeding the storm."
Zoe gave a short huff, almost as if she understood. Her crimson eyes flicked to Vivi, then to Leighton, waiting.
For a brief moment, there was silence except for the crackling of lightning coursing along the lion’s mane. The monster stood proud and unyielding, daring them to come again.
Leighton exhaled, finally meeting his teammates’ eyes. "We still have one advantage. If we strike together, precise and coordinated... we might just tear it down."
Vivi clenched her daggers tighter, determination sharpening her features. "Then let’s make every move count."
Leighton wiped the blood from his lip with the back of his hand, forcing a crooked grin despite the sparks still crackling around the lion. "Well... at least it doesn’t look hungry anymore. Guess we’re not on the menu."
Vivi whipped her head toward him, glaring. "This isn’t the time for jokes!" Her voice carried a sharp edge, though beneath it was the strain of fear and focus.
He raised his hands in mock surrender, still smirking despite the wound on his arm. "I’m just keeping the mood light before we get fried alive."
"This time," Leighton said, his tone firm. "We hit it together."
Vivi exhaled, nodding. "Good. Then let’s not waste another second."
Zoe growled low, crouching, her muscles coiling with anticipation as if ready to spring on command.
Leighton rolled his shoulders, gripping his dagger in one hand and his pistol in the other. "Alright then. Let’s take down that monster"