Feline Fury

Jenna, standing face to face with this monstrous entity, feels a chill run down her spine as it speaks in a human language. The voice, deep and resonant, seems to echo the despair and darkness of the crumbling world around them.

She grips Itza tightly, her knuckles white, as she assesses the creature before her. It's not just the physical appearance that unnerves her; it's the intelligence, the awareness that radiates from it. This is no mindless beast; it's something far more dangerous.

"My apologies," the creature says again, its voice dripping with a mixture of sarcasm and genuine curiosity. "You must be frightened from my little greeting."

Jenna, despite her fear, can't help but feel a grudging respect for this being. It's not every day that one encounters a monster that can converse in human tongues. Yet, the situation remains perilously unclear. What does this creature want? Why is it here?

Jenna's eyes narrow as she takes a defensive stance, Itza ready in her hands. "Who are you? What do you want?" she demands, her voice steady despite the pounding of her heart.

The creature tilts its head slightly, considering her question. "Who I am is of little consequence," it replies, its tone suggesting a deep, hidden amusement. "As for what I want... let's just say I'm curious. Curious about you, about this world, about what will become of it."

Jenna frowns, parsing the creature's words. Curiosity? From a monster? The concept is almost too bizarre to contemplate. Yet, here it stands, a being of darkness and intelligence, seeking answers in a world that has lost all sense of order.

Saxon, standing a safe distance away with Dolura, Tamsin, and Draken, watches the exchange with a mixture of awe and apprehension. He knows Jenna is powerful, but this creature is an unknown variable, its power and intentions shrouded in mystery.

Jenna swallows hard, her unease growing as she confronts the enigmatic being before her. "Just what are you... things?" she asks, her voice edged with a mix of fear and defiance. Itza is poised in her hands, a line of defense against the unknown.

"You... monstrosities appeared everywhere simultaneously, either through something like a portal or by humans becoming monsters while sleeping," Jenna states, trying to piece together the chaos that has enveloped their world.

The creature, observing Itza with an almost childlike curiosity, reaches out and touches the tip of the blade. Jenna tenses, caught off guard by the boldness of the gesture. The creature examines its own blood, a mix of red and purple, that stains the katana.

"You humans could never understand where we come from or how we came here," it says, its tone laced with a cryptic knowledge. It licks its blood from its finger, a gesture that sends a shiver down Jenna's spine. "Not yet, at least. I can tell you our goal, which is all of you," it continues, pointing directly at Jenna.

Jenna's confusion deepens. The implication is unsettling, and her grip on Itza tightens. What does it mean that their goal is 'all of you'?

The monster, seemingly amused by her confusion, then shifts its attention back to Itza. "I'm more intrigued by your tool. They do not seem to belong on this plane, yet here they are."

In a swift, unexpected movement, the creature strikes out at Jenna. She reacts instinctively, blocking the attack with Itza. The force of their collision sends a shockwave through the ground, creating a crater beneath their feet.

"I see, both physical and offensive enhancements..." the creature muses, tilting its head as it analyzes the aftermath of their brief clash.

Jenna, still in her defensive stance, tries to make sense of the creature's words and actions. It's clear that this being is unlike any monster they have faced before. Its intelligence, its apparent understanding of their world and its artifacts, all point to a threat far more complex and dangerous than mere physical power.

Jenna clicks her tongue in frustration, reassessing the situation. The monster before her is proving to be a much greater threat than she initially anticipated. 'I thought I could cut it when I saw it cut itself with Itza, but it didn't even get scratched just now,' she thinks, her mind racing with strategies.

Concern for her companions creeps into her thoughts. 'Well, if it thinks it can easily beat me, it's sorely mistaken... I'm just worried the others might get hurt.' As she contemplates her next move, Itza emits a soft glow, and a red line tattoo stretches out across Jenna's arm, signifying the deepening connection between her and the artifact.

The monster, observing this with interest, taps her chin with her long, dark red claw. "Interesting... It seems there are different levels of connection just as #*$#@ suspected," she muses aloud, her eyes narrowing in contemplation.

With a swift flick of her wrist, the creature dismisses Itza, forcing Jenna to leap back. "If I was in my original form, I would know everything regarding it... what a shame," the monster mutters to itself, lost in thought.

Jenna, seizing the moment, demands, "What do you want from us?" Her stance is tense, ready for any sudden movement from the creature.

The monster turns to face Jenna and Draken, opening her mouth to speak. "You two—" However, she's abruptly interrupted by Jenna's sudden strike. Her tattoo glows brightly as she makes contact, sending the monster flying backward with a powerful force.

The creature stops mid-air, a look of amusement mixed with annoyance on its face. "You humans are quite barbaric," it comments, looking down at them. "I've wasted enough time on you. There is a human-like entity I wish to see," she says, grinning maliciously as she holds up her claws, signaling her departure.

Jenna takes a deep breath, steeling herself for what's to come. "Yeah, let's get this over with. I hate doing this, but I have no choice." She grits her teeth, clutching Itza tightly. From the handle, a red line appears, digging into Jenna's hand. The glow of the redness pulses through her body under the skin, reminiscent of a parasitic invasion.

Her crimson eyes glow intensely, and her skin becomes unnaturally pale. Her crimson hair emits a faint glow, and a red marking spreads across her face, extending down her neck. 

The monstrous entity tilts its head, observing Jenna's transformation and the immense power she now wields. "I see, you are a potential threat to our goal," it remarks with a hint of intrigue. "It seems like you'll die here today."

Jenna, her reflexes and speed enhanced by her deep connection with Itza, launches herself towards the monster in a blur of motion. In an instant, she appears right beside it, her blade arcing through the air.

The monster, reacting with astonishing speed, turns its arm to block the attack. Its nail, sharp and durable, intercepts Itza's trajectory. However, even so, the sheer force and precision of Jenna's strike slash the creature's arm off in multiple angles.

"Interesting..." the monster muses, its voice betraying a sense of respect for Jenna's abilities. In a display of its otherworldly nature, the creature regenerates a new arm at an alarming speed, completely restoring the limb that was just severed.

Without hesitation, it counters with a swift slash of its newly grown arm. Jenna, though quick to react, is sent flying across the street into a building due to the sheer force of the blow. The impact reverberates through the structure, causing it to shudder.

Jenna stands up, her senses heightened to an extreme degree. She senses the creature right behind her and slashes without turning. The monster meets her attack, blocking it, but the force of the clash slices the building in a straight, tilted line, causing a cascade of debris and dust.

Panting heavily, Jenna sighs deeply, her crimson eyes fixed on the creature. "Just what the hell are you?" she asks, a mix of frustration and awe in her voice. The monster's ability to regenerate and its formidable strength is completely unnatural.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Perched on Caelum's shoulder, I watch the world through the eyes of a cat, my mind still reeling from the events that have unfolded. My heart is a mixture of relief and apprehension. Relief because she, my companion I was so concerned about, has left the area. Apprehension, because I remain in the clutches of what I perceive to be a devil in human form.

Caelum hums a tune, walking nonchalantly through the deserted streets. His demeanor is calm, almost serene, a stark contrast to the chaos that has gripped the world. I can't help but marvel at how he maintains this facade of normalcy, aware of the monster on his shoulder who knows his 'true' nature. I'm nothing to this devil... Just why is my luck so bad?

I'm glad she left, I think to myself. I don't know what prompted her sudden departure, but it's a relief. As long as she stays away, she won't cross paths with this devil. The potential clash between them, a thought that once filled me with dread, is now averted.

Caelum yawns, breaking the silence. "It's been quite calm, just how I like it, right kitty?" he asks, giving me a gentle pet. I shiver under his touch, interpreting his words as a veiled threat. He's saying that anything or anyone who disrupts this peace will face horrific consequences. It's a chilling reminder of the monstrous power he possesses.

Suddenly, from a couple of dozen blocks away, we hear a sound resembling a building collapsing. The noise is distant, yet it carries through the empty streets with a foreboding echo. Caelum, seemingly unbothered, yawns again. "Let's get out of here before whatever lies over there ruins my peace," he says casually.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Jenna, her body fueled by the power of Itza, is a whirlwind of aggression and grace. She lunges forward, Itza in hand, slicing through the air with a speed that blurs the line between human capability and supernatural prowess. Her crimson eyes, glowing intensely, betray her focused intent and her deep connection with the katana.

The monster, towering and formidable, meets her with equal fervor. Its newly regenerated arm, a dark appendage of otherworldly strength, moves with terrifying agility. It parries Jenna's strikes, each block a testament to its alien resilience and power.

In a rapid exchange of blows, Jenna's blade sings through the air, aiming to find a weakness in the monster's defense. She maneuvers around the creature, her movements a dance of death, each step perfectly timed to match the rhythm of her attacks.

The monster, undeterred, counters with precision. Its elongated limb, tipped with sharp, dark red claws, slashes at Jenna. The air crackles with the energy of their confrontation, each strike and parry resonating with the force of their wills.

Jenna, sensing an opening, thrusts Itza forward in a piercing strike aimed at the creature's core. But the monster, with an almost prescient awareness, twists its body, avoiding the fatal blow. It retaliates with a backhand swipe, its clawed hand cutting through the air with a speed that defies its size.

Jenna barely manages to dodge, the tip of the claw grazing her. She rolls away, using the momentum to regain her stance. The creature doesn't relent, pressing its advantage, its movements a blend of raw power and eerie grace.

In a moment of sheer intensity, their weapons clash with a sound like thunder. The impact sends shockwaves rippling through the crumbling buildings around them, showering the street with debris.

Jenna, her resolve unwavering, meets the creature's gaze. "Just where do you get all this power from?" she demands, her voice echoing amidst the ruins. She's met with a gaze that is both alien and calculating, a silent acknowledgment of the challenge she presents.

The battle continues, a dance of blades and claws, each fighter pushing their limits. Jenna's strikes grow more forceful, her movements more daring. The monster, in turn, responds with increased ferocity, its attacks a whirlwind of dark energy and physical might.

In a climactic moment, the monster unleashes a powerful strike, its clawed hand arcing towards Jenna with deadly intent. Jenna blocks with Itza, the collision sending a shockwave that fractures the ground beneath them.

The monster doesn't pause, following up with a rapid succession of strikes, each one a deadly blur. Jenna parries and dodges, but the relentless assault forces her back. With a final, powerful push, the creature sends Jenna flying across the street, her form crashing into a nearby building.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Perched atop Caelum's shoulder, my thoughts are a maelstrom of fury and frustration, directed at my compatriot. In my mind, I berate them with every insult I can muster. "Idiots! Fool! Imbecil!" I scream internally, my feline guise barely containing my seething anger. I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die, nooooo, I still have so much I want to do. 

How could they be so reckless, so utterly senseless, to bring their battle right in front of this... this devil incarnate? They have no idea the kind of monstrous power they are flirting with, the kind of unspeakable horror that Caelum, this so-called human, embodies. Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck! You're so fucking stupid ?#%?#$?#! How could you bring your fight over here!? 

My mind races with panicked thoughts, cursing my fellow monsters for their stupidity. "Morons! You're leading yourselves to slaughter!" I think, my internal voice a mix of desperation and fury. "You're not just putting yourselves in danger; you're endangering all of us!"