บท 25: Unexpected guest

The sun hung low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the grassy terrain as Jamie led his small but determined group through the wilderness. Fear and Shadow flanked him on either side, their otherworldly forms shifting and twisting in the fading light. Morona trailed behind, her eyes darting nervously from side to side, still not fully accustomed to the strange new world she found herself in.

As they crested a small hill, a sudden, ear-splitting roar shattered the peaceful evening air. It was a sound that seemed to come from the very depths of primordial memory—the cry of an apex predator that had haunted mankind's nightmares since the dawn of time.

Jamie froze, his muscles tensing as he scanned the horizon. Fear and Shadow immediately moved into defensive positions, while Morona cowered behind them, her eyes wide with terror.

Then, without warning, the very fabric of reality seemed to fracture before them. The air split apart like shattered glass, revealing a sight that would be forever seared into their memories.

Emerging from the rift was a being of such terrifying majesty that it defied description. A white tiger of colossal proportions, its fur a pristine canvas etched with bold black stripes that rippled across its muscular form. But this was no ordinary tiger—each individual hair stood on end, crackling with an inner blue-white light that pulsed in perfect rhythm with the lightning that danced around its body.

The creature's musculature was defined with exceptional clarity, every ripple and flex of its powerful body visible, a testament to its immense strength and agility. Its face was contorted into a mask of primal rage, muzzle pulled back in a snarl that revealed gleaming fangs almost too large for its mouth.

But it was the eyes that truly captured Jamie's attention. They burned with an intense golden-orange light, pupil-less and radiating pure elemental energy. These were not the eyes of a mere beast, but windows into an ancient, unfathomable intelligence that seemed to peer into the very depths of his soul.

Arcs of vivid blue-white lightning danced across the tiger's body and exploded outward into the surrounding space. These were no mere static discharges, but writhing, living tendrils of electricity that seemed to respond to the creature's will. The lightning illuminated the scene in stark, stroboscopic flashes, casting harsh shadows that only served to emphasize the tiger's terrifying visage.

The beast was captured mid-leap, its massive paws outstretched with razor-sharp claws extended. In one paw, it clutched what appeared to be the hilt of a sword or similar weapon, though most of the blade was obscured by the maelstrom of energy surrounding it. Fragments of dark material—perhaps shattered stone or metal—swirled around the tiger, caught in the vortex of its power.

This being transcended mere animal or mortal form. It embodied the very essence of the storm—beautiful, terrible, and utterly untameable. Its presence commanded not just fear, but a sense of primordial awe, as if they were witnessing the manifestation of an ancient deity of thunder and lightning.

For a moment that seemed to stretch into eternity, Jamie and his companions stood transfixed, unable to move or even breathe in the face of such overwhelming power. Then, gathering his courage, Jamie took a step forward and spoke, his voice barely audible above the crackling of electricity.

"Who are you?"

The tiger-like beast's lips didn't move an inch in response. Instead, in a blur of motion too fast for the eye to follow, Jamie found the creature's blade pressed against his throat. Even Fear and Shadow, beings of supernatural origin themselves, were taken aback by the sheer speed of the movement.

Jamie swallowed hard, feeling the cold steel against his skin, but managed to keep his voice steady. "You're quite the fast one, despite your size."

The tiger's eyes narrowed, and a deep, rumbling voice seemed to emanate from everywhere and nowhere at once. "Of course I am. I'm here to judge how strong you really are since the Cockroach Man tribe and the Goblin tribe, under their new king, appointed me to test you. And it seems you're still an amateur."

From the corner of his eye, Jamie saw Morona take a sharp intake of breath, her face paling even further. It was clear she recognized this being, and the fear in her eyes spoke volumes about its reputation.

The beast seemed to notice Jamie's observation and let out a sound that might have been a chuckle. "The name's Sader, and I'm the hired mercenary of the ones you've recently pissed off!"

Jamie forced a grin, despite the blade at his throat. "How noble of you to take their beating for them. You're really spectacular!"

Sader's eyes flashed dangerously. "Trust me, the screams are not lies."

Fear, seemingly regaining his composure, stepped forward. "What do you want from us?"

Sader's gaze never left Jamie as he replied, "What else? The head of your chief."

At this, Shadow could no longer contain his rage. "You motherfucking bitch!" he snarled, dark tendrils of shadow writhing around him.

Sader's only response was a predatory grin. "Music to my ears!"

In that moment, Jamie made his move. With a deafening howl that seemed to shake the very earth, he vanished from Sader's grasp. In the blink of an eye, he reappeared behind the massive tiger, as if he had been transported there by some impossible magic.

Sader, however, was not so easily outmaneuvered. The tiger whirled, its massive blade describing a perfect arc through the air. Jamie leapt upward, barely avoiding the strike that would have cleaved him in two.

What followed was a battle that defied comprehension. Jamie and Sader moved with such speed and ferocity that they appeared as little more than unpredictable sparks of light to the stunned onlookers. Fear, Shadow, and Morona could barely follow the action, their eyes struggling to keep up with the superhuman display before them.

"Tear Frenzy!" Sader's roar echoed across the battlefield as his already formidable claws grew even larger and sharper. Despite their increased size, the tiger moved with undiminished speed and grace, each swipe of those terrifying weapons leaving deep gouges in the earth.

Jamie, however, was far from outmatched. Calling upon his skill, Merciless, he pushed himself to the very limits of his abilities. The two combatants exchanged blows at a furious pace, neither able to gain a clear advantage.

Just when it seemed the battle might go on forever, Jamie saw his opening. With a final burst of speed, he unleashed his ultimate technique: Grave Claws. His hands became blur of motion as he struck, leaving a deep, cross-shaped wound across Sader's chest.

The massive tiger stumbled backward, golden-orange eyes wide with shock. For a moment, it seemed as though the battle would continue. Then, to everyone's surprise, a smile spread across Sader's feline features. With a final, rumbling chuckle, the great beast collapsed, consciousness fading as blood flowed from the grievous wound.

As the dust settled and the crackling energy dissipated, Jamie stood over his fallen foe, chest heaving with exertion. Fear, Shadow, and Morona rushed to his side, their faces a mix of awe, concern, and relief.

"Is... is it over?" Morona whispered, her voice trembling.

Jamie nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving Sader's unconscious form. "For now, at least. But I have a feeling this is just the beginning."

Fear placed a hand on Jamie's shoulder. "What do we do with him?"

Jamie was silent for a long moment, contemplating the enormity of what had just transpired. Finally, he spoke, his voice heavy with the weight of leadership. "We take him with us. Tend to his wounds. And when he wakes... we talk."

Shadow's eyes widened in disbelief. "Take him with us? After he tried to kill you?"

Jamie turned to face his companions, a wry smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "We're building something here, remember? A place for outcasts and misfits. And I can't think of a bigger misfit than this one."

As they worked to carefully move Sader's massive form, Jamie couldn't help but reflect on the strange turn of events. They had set out to build a tribe, a family in this dangerous world. And now, it seemed, they might be adding the most dangerous member yet to their unconventional clan.

The sun had long since set by the time they began their journey back to their settlement, the unconscious form of Sader suspended between them. As they walked, Jamie couldn't shake the feeling that this encounter had changed everything. The Cockroach Men and the Goblins had escalated their conflict, and there was no telling what other challenges lay ahead.

But as he looked at the determined faces of his companions—Fear, Shadow, and Morona—Jamie felt a surge of confidence. They were no longer just a ragtag group of misfits. They were a tribe, a family. And in this strange, dangerous world, that was the most powerful thing of all.

With Sader's arrival, their family was growing stranger by the day. But Jamie had a feeling that this fierce, lightning-wielding tiger might just be the key to their survival in the trials to come. As they disappeared into the darkness, the air still crackling with residual energy from the battle, Jamie allowed himself a small smile. Whatever the future held, they would face it together—as the most unlikely family the world had ever seen.