The trio continued their journey through the dense forest, where the sun began to set slowly, and the light faded between the tall trees. Everything seemed unnervingly calm...
But that calmness was merely the prelude to a storm.
Suddenly, the silence was pierced by a faint sound coming from among the trees, followed by heavy footsteps, and red eyes gleaming in the dark.
A massive creature appeared, with a twisted body, dull fur, and long teeth. It resembled a wolf, but its strange features confirmed it was no ordinary creature... it was a cat-eater.
And since Kira resembled a cat with her ears and tail, the beast immediately focused its gaze on her, slowly crawling towards her.
---
Alan (noticing the direction of the beast): "Oh no. Nope. Not today!"
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Kira (with her tail trembling): "It's coming for me... That thing EATS cat-like creatures!"
---
Alan jumped forward with all his courage and... recklessness. He spread his arms and stood in front of Kira as a human shield, shouting:
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Alan (with desperate heroism): "DON'T WORRY, KIRA! I GOT THIS!"
---
Before he could finish his sentence, the beast had already pounced on him, tearing him apart mercilessly.
Skin ripped, bones shattered, blood scattered.
But of course, Alan didn't die. His regeneration ability saved him. Just... with a lot of screaming.
---
Alan (screaming dramatically): "AAAAAAHHHHHH! IT HURTS! OH GOD WHY!"
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Kira (covering her face): "I'm both impressed and... slightly traumatized."
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Gargoth (coldly): "He's fine. He always screams like that."
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Alan was completely torn apart... then regenerated in less than a minute, gasping on the ground, his face covered with dirt and tears.
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Alan (looking at the sky): "Why do I always end up like this?"
---
While Alan was struggling to breathe on the ground, his body still regenerating after becoming the monster's main course, the trees shook again, and the foul smell returned.
The beast hadn't left.
It came back.
But this time... it came back angry.
It growled, staring at Kira, its tongue hanging out, and its breath hot as hell.
But Kira, slowly and without hesitation, stepped forward, her tail swaying. Her red eyes glowed with defiance.
---
Kira (with a devilish smile): "You want a fight? Fine. Let's dance."
---
In an instant, she pounced!
She leaped at the beast, her claws like daggers, her fangs bared, and a fierce battle began between the cat-like creature and the cat-eating monster!
Kicks, claws, and monstrous screams filled the forest... dust rising from every direction.
Meanwhile, Alan sat on a rock, wrapped in bandages, beside Gargoth, who seemed to be enjoying it far too much.
---
Alan (watching in astonishment): "She's actually doing good. I mean, real good!"
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Gargoth (calmly): "I bet 10 gold she rips his ear off in the next 30 seconds."
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Alan (raising an eyebrow): "You're on. I say she kicks him in the face instead."
---
The battle continued!
Kira jumped, the beast growled, the ground shook, and the trees shook even more!
Then...
Slash!
The beast's right ear fell to the ground.
---
Gargoth (with the calmness of a victor): "Told you."
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Alan (pulling out his coin pouch sadly): "I'm never betting again..."
---
In the end, after a bloody and brutal battle, Kira stood triumphantly over the defeated beast, her breath rapid, her face covered in scratches, but... she won.
---
Kira (looking at them): "Well? Are you just going to sit there or help me drag this thing?"
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Alan (standing up in annoyance): "Can we bet on who drags it farther?"
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Gargoth (looking at him slowly): "No."
---
They prepared to continue their journey... with a huge pile of defeated meat, a dramatic leader, and warriors of... a very strange caliber.
---
After dragging the defeated beast and leaving it in a safe place to decompose away from the drama, the strange trio returned to their muddy, endless road, which seemed like it would never end.
The weather was ominously sunny, and the birds were singing in a mocking tune, as if nature itself were watching them and laughing.
Alan walked behind them with slightly slanted steps, still in pain from the old fish bite, his face showing more psychological than physical pain.
---
Alan (groaning continuously): "I swear this forest is cursed. If one more thing bites me, I'm gonna lose it!"
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Kira (without turning): "You already lost it. A long time ago."
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Gargoth (laughing slowly): "He's like a walking comedy show."
---
As they walked, a strange plant with eyes appeared... but disappeared quickly when it saw Kira moving forward.
The eerie calm continued until Alan began singing in a low voice.
---
Alan (off-key): "Marching through the pain, with nothing to gain..."
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Kira (turning to him with narrowed eyes): "Sing again and I'll throw you at the next monster we see."
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Alan (raising his hands quickly): "Okay! No music. Got it."
---
As time passed, the clouds began to gather, and the wind grew cold. It seemed like rain was coming... or something worse.
But Alan, as usual, wasn't focused on the weather, but on a deep existential question.
---
Alan (with childlike curiosity): "Hey guys... do you think fish feel regret?"
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Kira (holding her head): "Oh gods, please strike him now."
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Gargoth (shrugging): "Only if the fish bit the wrong thing."
---
And so... the three of them continued on toward their unknown goal, through the forest, amid the threats, the pains... and the absurdity.
But the road hadn't even started yet.
To be continued...