A Promise Burned to Ashes

Rooooooar!

Furious bellows were continuously released by the raging bull-man while savage flames surrounded him. He was bending as his thick arms were madly pounding on the ground. Dirt and debris splashed around as the ground was crushed with his every strike.

His ferocious eyes blazed with crimson light and his two long horns burned like torches. His red fur was also bristling and smoldering like embers while a fiery mane wound around his neck.

As the despair of losing his brother consumed him, Jason's savageness burned everything around him.

Seeing what was happening to Jason, Sheila ignored the pain caused by the burn wounds in her body. She crawled weakly and dragged her body towards Jason. Despite the painful heat produced by the flames, Sheila endured it and tried to get close to Jason's side.

With a trembling voice caused by the pain of her wounds as well as the agony eating at her, Sheila shouted. "Jason! Control yourself! Please, listen to me! Listen to my voice! Elder Brother James wouldn't want you to turn like this! His death will be for nothing if you turn into a feral!"

Sheila, even at this moment, continued to hope that Jason would be able to control himself. However, the raging bull-man continued to roar ferociously drowning the desperate plea of Sheila.

...

Cesar was enduring the attacks of the Stage 3 Wind Wolf. Bloody cuts covered his body as he tried to defend himself using his vine whips. He was bleeding very badly but he still persisted in holding off the spirit beast.

Cesar was despairing at this moment. He was lamenting his weakness. If he was just much stronger, he could defeat the Wind Wolf in front of him. He could then go to his companions who needed him. But here he was, trying to stay alive from the onslaught of the Wind Wolf.

Tears could not help but fall from Cesar's eyes. If it was just him, he could accept dying at this moment. But remembering the sacrifice of his best friend left him guilty because of his inability to protect Sheila and Jason.

"I'm sorry, James. You always tell me to cultivate seriously and don't waste my time playing around but I didn't listen to you. Now, I can't even protect myself, much less Jason and Sheila!"

With another swipe of its claws, the Wind Wolf tore apart the vine whips of Cesar. Cesar became unarmed and left his body open from attacks.

The Wind Wolf charged at the goat Cesar and quickly reached him. It then bared its vicious fangs at him. Cesar saw a maw filled with a row of jagged teeth as the Wind Wolf brutally bit him aiming at his throat. His heart was overwhelmed with fear and hopelessness.

But before the vicious bite of the Wind Wolf ripped Cesar's throat, a streak of blue light flashed and enveloped his vision. Then, as Cesar's vision cleared, a crimson geyser welcomed him. He could also see the Wind Wolf slamming to the ground.

Bang!

The Wind Wolf crashed on the ground and dyed its blue fur with its blood. It was whimpering weakly and it was only a matter of time before it would die.

Cesar then looked at his savior. He saw a dark blue werewolf crouching in front of him. Indeed, it was Yeshua who saved Cesar with a timely arrival.

Though Yeshua already saw the severity of the condition of Jason, Cesar was also in a dangerous situation. Yeshua felt weak after using Double Release but he still dashed towards the direction of Cesar to save him.

"B-boy, you saved me..." Cesar was too busy with staying alive that he did not notice that Yeshua was done fighting the alpha Wind Wolf and was running towards him. So, he was startled for being saved by Yeshua.

With confusion in his voice, Cesar asked Yeshua. "Where's the alpha wolf?"

"I already killed it." Yeshua pointed his wolf snout in the direction he came from.

Cesar looked back, and then he saw a mutilated corpse of the alpha beast. He was shocked that Yeshua really killed the alpha Wind Wolf.

Though a lot of things happened since they clashed with the Wind Wolves, it was only a few minutes that passed. In that short time, Cesar almost died but Yeshua killed the alpha wolf just like he said. The strength Yeshua revealed really astounded Cesar.

"Though all the Wind Wolves are already dead, we still have a problem, old goat." Yeshua gravely reminded Cesar.

"Ah!" Cesar then remembered the condition of his companions. His heart grew heavy again as he looked in the direction of Sheila and Jason.

Cesar could see a conflagration eating a patch of the forest. Though the redwood trees were hard enough to endure the flames, they were slowly being burned as embers and smoke dispersed from them.

In the middle of the raging flames, Cesar could see Jason in his Alter form continuously striking the ground while roaring ferociously.

But Cesar was horrified when he saw Sheila trying to get close to Jason ignoring the flames burning the wool on her body.

The goat Cesar ran madly towards his companions and angrily screamed. "Sheila, what are you doing?! Stop right now! You're hurting yourself!"

Although Sheila heard Cesar, she did not stop. She continued to persuade Jason. Her pleading voice accompanied the furious bellows of the mad bull.

Yeshua also followed Cesar. The two Alterers in their Alter forms rushed towards Sheila and Jason. But before they could get close, they heard a furious roar.

Rooooooar!

Feeling the approach of the two, the raging Jason suddenly roared in their direction. His bestial instinct reacted to the strong presence approaching him as he unleashed an ability.

The blazing bull raised its snout facing the sky and inhaled deeply. Flames gathered in his maw forming a burning breath.

Scorching Roar!

Hot breath was released by Jason whirling towards the direction of Yeshua and Cesar. Sheila, who was at the side of Jason, felt the scorching heat emanated by the flame breath. She could only try her best to shield herself using her Cloud Cape ability, so she would not be burned.

Yeshua and Cesar were forced to stop as the flame reached them. Yeshua evaded the arriving attack using his agile body.

"Ah!" But a pained scream mixed with the hissing of flames.

Unlike Yeshua, Cesar could not completely dodge the incoming attack. He was already weak and only his sheer will kept him in his Alter form.

Flames scorched Cesar's body and part of his fur turned to embers. Black burns could be seen on his body and it was obvious that he was seriously injured.

"Old goat, are you alright?!" Yeshua rushed to Cesar's side.

"Urgh... B-boy, I'm alright. I can heal these wounds using my ability." Cesar said as wooden tendrils covered his wounds that radiated green light. The light gradually healed his wound but it looked like it would take a long time.

Then, they heard Sheila shouting at them. "Don't get close! You are agitating him! I'm calming him down. Just stay away from him, please!"

Hearing the desperation in Sheila's voice, Yeshua could not stop himself from telling Cesar. "That girl is mad, old goat. It's too late for your friend and what she's doing will only put her in danger!"

Cesar's face crumpled with agony when he heard what Yeshua said. Same with Sheila, he did not want to give up on Jason. But he did not know what to do.

With a heavy heart, Cesar shouted at Sheila. "Stop it now, Sheila! Jason, he... He's beyond saving now! The only way to stop him is to kill him!"

Though it was hard for Cesar to accept this outcome, he could also not think of what to do anymore. Like what Yeshua said, he could also see that it was too late for Jason.

After hearing what Cesar said, Sheila shook from fear. "No, Brother Cesar! We can't do that to Jason! Please, just let me calm him down! He'll listen to me! I know it!"

Although he heard the pleading of Sheila, Cesar hardened his heart as he requested something from Yeshua. "Boy, I know I'm being selfish here. But I can't do anything right now. Can you help me with something?"

Yeshua also believed that Cesar was right but before he could answer Cesar, a change happened.

Suddenly, the furious bellows stopped. The raging bull was resting his head on the ground. He was crouching and was laying his heavy arms calmly on the scorched ground.

"Jason, just like that! Just calm down, okay. Everything is alright now! Your injuries are also healed, so you can turn back into a human now. Just listen to me. Take control of yourself and deactivate your Alter form." Sheila's voice contained excitement as she soothed Jason.

Seeing that the mad bull Jason calmed down gave hope to Sheila. She felt that her coaxing bore fruit as Jason stopped from thrashing madly. The flames around Jason also weakened allowing Sheila to get close to him.

"It's alright now. You just have to turn back into a human, and then we can go back together just like we always do. Right, we promise that we will always be together. You're not going to break your promise, right?" Sheila's hopeful voice filled the quiet forest.

Though Sheila was timid and shy, unprecedented courage filled her as she slowly reached Jason. For Sheila, her friends were very important to her. Since they were children, they were always there to protect her. That was why she valued them so much. Jason even had a special place in her heart.

Jason and Sheila promised each other that they will be together for the rest of their lives. The promise was made by two silly children but it was etched in Sheila's heart. She kept it and believed it with all her heart.

The forest was silent as a sheep woman laid her hands on the face of the blazing bull. It was burning Sheila but she did not let go. "Jason, I..."

But before Sheila could finish her words, scorching flames exploded around Jason. It completely engulfed Sheila burning her.

"Noooooo!"

Cesar's devastated cry resounded in the forest.