The Fire

Atlas didn't have much time to think. The creature's weighty, bone-cracking steps pounded toward him, each impact shaking the earth. It crossed half the distance in a matter of seconds, and Atlas could see now just how horrifying it was up close. A slimy, jet-black body glistened as it moved with an unnatural fluidity, and its elongated limbs flexed and coiled like a grotesque insect. The featureless head resembled a leech, but its jaw was open, revealing rows of jagged, needle-like teeth and a serpentine tongue flicking out as though tasting the air for him.

Atlas instinctively drew on his Aether manipulation, letting it flood through his veins. He heightened his focus, and let the Aether spin across his body. Every sound, intensified in his perception. The pounding of the creature's footfalls, the eerie slithering of its tongue, even the faint sound of Ivan's laughter in the distance—all flooded his mind in sharp, almost unbearable clarity.

He needed to move, and he needed to do it fast.

As the creature lunged, Atlas warped sideways, narrowly avoiding the snapping maw that slammed into the earth, leaving gouges in the dirt where his head had been moments before. He stumbled to his feet, drawing a deep breath to calm himself, eyes narrowing as he studied his opponent.

The creature hissed, a wet, guttural sound that sent a chill down Atlas's spine. Its eyes seemed to fixate on him, then something shifted in its stance. Atlas's enhanced hearing caught a strange, crackling sound, and his gaze shot to the creature's limbs. The monster's arms and legs were elongating, stretching impossibly long like coils of dark, slimy tendrils, each sinewy limb pulling taut and then snapping back in an elastic recoil.

Without warning, one of the extended limbs shot forward, snapping at Atlas with the speed of a whip. He barely dodged, feeling a rush of air as the limb slashed past him and embedded itself into the ground, shattering the earth beneath it. Another limb whipped out, forcing Atlas to roll aside. He could feel the sheer force radiating from each strike, enough to shatter bones or split stone if it connected.

The creature snarled and retracted its limbs with a sickening, rubbery sound, then lashed out again. This time, both arms stretched forward, flanking him on either side. Atlas had no room to evade; He made the mental connection to warp and disappeared just as the elongated limbs slammed together beneath him.

He came out a meter behind where he just was, adrenaline pulsing through him. The creature's limbs twisted, retracting only to extend again, faster and with even greater reach. Each attack seemed to anticipate his movements, forcing him on the defensive as he tried to find an opening.

 Its limbs weren't just long; they were nearly impossible to predict, writhing and lashing in erratic patterns that kept him off balance.

Atlas could feel his muscles straining, his energy draining with each dodge. One mistake, one slow move, and those limbs would snap him in two.

One strike was so close to his head that he could feel the wind as it rushed past him.

This situation left Atlas with very few choices. He couldn't close the distance on the creature, and even if he did, Ivan hadn't supplied him with a sword or any weapon. This thing wasn't something he could take down with his fists. The next option was to run away, but this creature was clearly fast enough to catch up with him—not to mention that Ivan would probably force him to fight it anyway.

The last option was the simplest, but one Atlas wouldn't choose: to give up and die.

Running out of ideas, he needed a way to actually hurt the creature instead of just playing defense.

As another whip-like shot came at his torso, he decided to do something rash, a gamble at best.

He warped into the air mere inches above where the strike was supposed to land. As he did so, he focused all of the Aether he had into his palms.

Finally, as the strike was beneath him, he unleashed all the Aether he could muster into one direct shot.

The creature's path of attack intersected with the Aether Atlas released, and they clashed. A split second later, the creature reeled in pain, and Atlas landed on the ground with a loud thump.

The creature coiled all its limbs and pushed backward, attaching itself to a nearby tree with its legs.

It was clear it was inspecting its arm after Atlas's attack.

Atlas was curious too and decided to try to peek at it.

The creature's arm was actually hurt. Some type of black ichor dripped from its wound, and it was clear the creature didn't enjoy the pain.

But Atlas's attack still hadn't hurt it enough to kill it or even get close. This was the equivalent of a mundane human getting cut on the hand with a knife. It hurt but wasn't enough to be life-threatening.

After a few seconds of the creature tending to its wound, it screeched again, ready to initiate another attack.

Atlas readied himself once more, this time deciding that this battle of endurance had to end here.

The creature coiled its legs again, charging up as if it were about to spring at Atlas faster than he could react.

At the same time, Atlas activated his "??? Eye" ability.

The two were ready to set it all on the line.