Bound By Fury:The Forced Path

The shaking got worse, and the the small island started to move.

Cracks opened up in the rocky ground as the yellow ocean churned madly around it, like the sea itself was alive.

Grido's voice came through the din.

"Everybody, look out!"

He yelled, clutching his gun tightly.

But it was only Akira's sharp instincts that noticed something the others didn't.

His eyes quickly scanned over the broken ground, linking the clues: marks in the earth, the strange acting of the waves, and the unhealthy light coming up from beneath.

His voice came out urgent, louder than the shaking.

"Grido-san!"

"Transform the bird!"

"We have to get away now or we'll die!"

Grido stared at him in shock. "What are you saying?!"

"The island-it's not just shaking!"

"The island is the Boss!"

"The whole thing!"

"NOW, MOVE!" Akira shouted with dark eyes full of confidence.

The words fell like thunder. Grido did not wait any longer. He whistled loudly; the sharp sound broke through the noise.

In a moment, his trained animal, huge and royal-looking, changed from its small, hidden shape into its real size. Its wings spread out over twice the length of the place, and its feathers shone in gold and silver colors.

"Get on!"

"Now!" Grido yelled.

Akira darted forward, grabbed hold of Victor—who was still in stunned shock—and heaved him onto the bird's back.

Grido did the same with Anna, who stumbled and almost fell as the earth gave way under her feet.

With everyone on its back, the bird started flapping its powerful wings, raising them off the ground just as the island began to break apart.

The next rumble from below was followed by an enormous gout of yellow liquid that hurled a hundred feet into the air. The bird narrowly missed the spray of liquid, flying higher as the island began to change.

From their viewpoint, the true nature of the monster became exposed.

The solid small island changed shape, its rocky sand surface turning into something that looked like a glowing yellow jelly.

The sea around bubbled wildly as a giant, slime-like creature heaved itself into view: it had a rocky shell on its back, like an old fortress on some giant sea monster.

Its eyes were two glowing balls of gold that stared with a deep hatred at the bird—odds felt overwhelming.

Anna clasped at her chest, voice trembling.

"That...that thing is not huge is massive!"

"How are we to fight something like that?!"

Grido ground his teeth, his knuckles white as he gripped the bird's reins.

"That's a Thermos."

"Damn it, I know that's is the type of monster that appeared here but never have i heard it to pop out like this is this one mutantent too...?!"

"Because this size—this is on a whole other level than normal Thermos!"

"How the hell are we supposed to kill it when we're barely holding on ourselves?"

"Our mana reserves are drained, and the plan we had is useless now!"

Victor, still agitated, spoke up finally.

"Those Werehyenas were tougher to battle than we thought."

"They had us weakened before the fight really even began."

Akira sat at the front of the bird and looked down at the huge Thermos.

His dark eyes were cold and thoughtful.

Akira did not move.

"I think I know a way,"

He said, his voice low but firm, imbued with quiet intensity that shut the others up.

Grido turned his head slightly, an expression of surprise and hope crossing his face.

"What do you mean, Akira?"

"Do you have a plan?"

Akira smiled slightly and looked down at the Thermos.

"If we think this through...we can do it."

"But you have to trust me completely."

The air was thick with tension, the weight of their task hanging heavy over them, like a guillotine.

Below, the Thermos roared once more, its massive form shifting as it continued to rise from the ocean, like a mountain about to crush them all.

"Trust you?"

Grido muttered, glancing at the others.

"You're the reason we're still alive, Akira."

"So whatever you've got in mind...we're with you."

The bird flew around the monster, wings slicing through steam rising from the boiling sea below. Akira's smile was wiped away and replaced with an intense sense of purpose.

"Good," He said, clutching the hilt of his Panthosword tightly.

"Because this will not be easy."

The air was full of tension as Akira finished scanning with the system the mutant Thermos.

He didn't say a word about what he had found out, only clicking his tongue in thought, his sharp eyes always on the huge, mutated creature.

"Hmm,"

He said quietly, then turned to the others.

"Here's the plan," Akira started, his voice low and commanding.

"It's do or die, so no mistakes are allowed."

"Trust me completely."

His eyes swept over the group, and though their faces showed exhaustion and pain, each nodded in agreement, steeling themselves for the challenge ahead.

"Grido-san, you're up first."

'Use your bird to get its attention,"

Akira ordered, motioning to the towering Thermos that swayed like a living fortress of slime and stone.

Grido nodded and then whispered something that could not be heard to his giant bird.

With a loud screech, the bird charged ahead, its sharp claws shining in the golden light.

It flew low, attacking the Thermos and scratching its claws on the slimy surface of the creature's "island."

The Thermos let out a loud roar, its deep sound echoing across the ocean like thunder.

Its huge, jelly-like body turned slowly, focusing completely on the threat from the air.

"Good,"

Akira said, with a small smile.

"The first step is done."

"Victor, it's your turn,"

Akira said more firmly, his face turning serious.

"I know you're hurt, but I'll keep you safe."

"You need to blind its right eye"

Victor coughed into his hand, blood on his lips, but he clenched his teeth.

"Damn kid, pushing me like this,"

He said, giving Akira a look that showed more tiredness than anger.

Victor leapt from the bird, plunging toward the Thermos. His sword flashed as he whipped through the air, straight for the beast's huge, shining right eye.

With a battle cry that sounded like a war horn, he shoved his sword deep into the eye.

The Thermos let out a pained howl and thrashed about. Its enormous, jelly-like body wobbled like a choppy sea, nearly sending Victor tumbling off. The sword twisted as the beast drew back, and Victor found himself flung onto the solid portion of the creature's spine.

Victor held onto the rough surface, using all the strength he could find in his hurt body.

"Damn it!" he cursed, coughing up blood.

"Kid, I'll kill you myself after this."

But a small smirk was on his face.

"Perfect,"

Akira muttered under his breath, grinning even harder.

"Now it's your turn, Anna."

Anna's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Me?"

"What do you want me to do?"

She asked, her voice shaking slightly.

Akira's voice was a little softer, but his eyes were still hard.

"You can do this. I believe you can."

"Blind its other eye—make sure it can't see us coming."

Anna paused, clenching her two daggers tightly.

She nodded and took a deep breath.

"I won't let you down,"

She said, her voice steadier now. As the Thermos continued to dance wildly, its cacophonous roar shaking the air, Anna leapt from the bird.

Her lithe form cut through the air like a knife as she launched toward the beast's huge, pulsing left eye, her daggers flashing in her grasp.

The moment was full of tension as Akira saw her descend, and his face didn't show any feelings.

The risks were very high, but the plan had started—and there was no going back now.

Wounded and furious now, the Thermos moved on instinct to cover its good eye. Its massive, quivering arm heaved itself upwards like a wave of liquid and intercepted Anna's daggers in midstroke just before they cut through into the glowing orb.

That impact sent ripples traversing the beast's face, and Anna found herself slightly off balance.

"Tch!"

She spat, her voice shrill with frustration.

"Why does it always have to be so bloody difficult?!"

Her feet scrambled against the slick, uneven surface of the Thermos, and her eyes went wide with horror as the monster's other huge hand loomed over her head, threatening to squash her like an insect.

From the bird's back, Akira saw the impending danger. His cold, white eyes narrowed, and he didn't hesitate a second before he readied himself to throw his body toward her.

"Damn it!"

He growled under his breath.

"Forget the plan."

"If she dies-"

His thoughts cut off abruptly as he shifted his weight to leap, his body already full of raw, unbridled energy.

But before he could move, Grido had clutched his arm, holding him with an unexpected strength.

"Stop!"

Grido's voice was commanding, almost desperate.

"Trust her!"

"She's got this!"

Akira glared at him, his jaw tight, but he hesitated, his gaze snapping back to Anna.

As the massive hand of the Thermos descended, Anna's sharp mind worked faster than the lumbering movements of the beast.

"Not today i won't look bad and useless to him"

She muttered under her breath, her expression hardening.

She activated her skill, Blink, just as the monster's hand was about to crush her.

In an instant, her body shimmered like a mirage and disappeared, reappearing mid-air just before the Thermos' remaining eye.

"What—?"

Akira's breath caught, his keen eyes jerking to where she had materialized.

Anna didn't waste the opportunity.

She let out a savage cry as she plunged both her daggers with all her strength into the glowing eye.

Deep inside, they sank, and the Thermos released an earsplitting roar of agony.

The body, enormous beyond her imagination, went into massive spasm, sending waves of turbulence crashing against the surrounding sea, writhing in blind furiously wild contortions.

The glowing light in its second eye dissipated into darkness, and it became blind and helpless. Anna landed back on the beast's surface, breathing heavily but steady, with eyes burning with determination.

Grido let out a long exhale, releasing Akira's arm.

"See?"

"I told you,"

He said, though his voice had an edge of relief to it.

Akira's face was impassive, staring at Anna as his mind whirled. He finally muttered, almost to himself,

"What did she just do"