Resonance Unbound

The silence of the night was broken by the distant echo of a guttural roar, low and menacing. Ezra cocked his head, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth as he casually slung his pack over one shoulder.

They had left the abandoned building hours ago, ensuring to bury the enraged mother creature alongside its skinned offspring—a small mercy, courtesy of Shirley. "Even monsters deserve a little respect," he'd grumbled while digging the graves. Afterward, they decided on a detour, searching for signs of survivors in the desolate landscape.

"Well, that doesn't sound friendly," Ezra said, his tone light, masking his underlying unease. "Think it's looking for us or just hungry?"

Shirley shot him a sharp look, his hand instinctively tightening on the hilt of his blade. "This isn't a joke, Ezra. Stay alert."

Ezra grinned, waving a dismissive hand. "Relax, I've got this. Besides, you're here to clean up if I screw up, right?"

Shirley didn't bother responding. His focus shifted to the treeline ahead, where the roar came again, closer this time. The faint rustle of disturbed undergrowth followed, each crack of a branch adding to the tension. Ezra tilted his head toward the sound, his lavender eyes narrowing slightly.

"Well, whatever it is, it's big," Ezra observed, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Should we go introduce ourselves?"

"Don't be stupid," Shirley growled, grabbing his arm and yanking him back. "You don't even know what it is yet."

Ezra glanced at Shirley's hand on his arm, then back at him with a raised eyebrow. "What's the worst that could happen? It eats me? You'd miss me too much."

Shirley let out a frustrated sigh, releasing him. "You're impossible."

"And you love it," Ezra quipped, turning his attention back to the treeline. Adjusting the cuffs of his jacket with a casual air, he added, "Alright, old man. Let's see what we're dealing with."

The rustling grew louder, branches snapping under the weight of something large and heavy. The air shifted, carrying a faint tang of iron that mingled with the crisp night breeze. Shirley's jaw tightened, his steel-gray eyes narrowing as he raised his blade slightly, ready for whatever emerged.

Ezra didn't flinch. Instead, he crossed his arms, his smirk widening as though danger itself were a joke only he understood. "Big, noisy, and not subtle," he muttered. "Either it's really dumb or really confident."

"Or both," Shirley said, his voice low and steady. His grip on the hilt of his blade tightened, the faint moonlight catching the weapon's edge. "Stay behind me. For once."

Ezra chuckled, stepping just slightly to the side instead. "Behind you? What, so I miss all the fun? Pass."

Shirley was about to retort when the creature burst through the treeline. It was massive, its skeletal frame towering over them. Mottled, scaly skin gleamed under the moonlight, and jagged, uneven horns jutted from its head like remnants of a shattered crown. Two glowing, yellow eyes locked onto them with a predator's focus.

The beast let out another guttural roar, the sound vibrating through the air and shaking the ground beneath their feet. Its clawed hands flexed, the tips gleaming like polished steel, and it bared its fangs—long, jagged things meant for tearing flesh.

"Alright, that's new," Ezra said, cocking his head as he took a step forward. Despite the beast's menacing display, his lavender eyes flickered with amusement. "What do you think it wants? A hug? An autograph?"

Shirley shot him a sharp glare. "Ezra, focus."

"Oh, I'm focused," Ezra replied, cracking his knuckles as he shifted his weight. "What do you think—head-on or let it make the first move?"

"Stay to its flank," Shirley said, his voice a low growl. "And watch the claws. This isn't the time for games."

Ezra nodded, though his smirk remained. "Got it. Don't worry, old man—I'll stay out of your way."

The beast snarled, lowering its massive frame as if preparing to lunge. Its glowing eyes flicked between the two of them, calculating, testing.

The tension snapped like a taut string as the beast lunged, claws extended. Shirley darted forward, his blade a blur as it met the creature head-on. The metallic clang of impact sent sparks flying, the force of it pushing Shirley back a step, but he held firm.

Ezra didn't hesitate. He darted to the side, moving swiftly and fluidly as he circled the creature. His sharp eyes scanned its body, searching for any weaknesses—an opening he could exploit.

"Ezra, watch the tail!" Shirley barked, narrowly blocking another swipe from the creature's massive claws.

"Yeah, yeah, I see it," Ezra called back, ducking as the beast's thick, barbed tail whipped toward him. The tail missed him by inches, smashing into a nearby tree and splintering it with ease. Ezra straightened, brushing imaginary dust off his sleeve. "Not a hugger, then."

Ezra's movements were quick, darting toward the creature's flank. His dagger gleamed as he struck, aiming for the exposed joints where the beast's limbs met its body. The blade sank into its hide, but only barely, the creature's tough scales resisting the blow.

The beast roared, spinning toward him with alarming speed. Ezra leapt back, narrowly avoiding its claws. "Touchy, aren't we?" he muttered, his heart pounding despite his outward bravado.

"Ezra!" Shirley snapped. "Focus!"

"Relax, I've got this," Ezra said, though his smirk faltered as the beast turned its full attention on him. Its glowing eyes narrowed, and it lunged with surprising agility.

Ezra cursed under his breath, his muscles tensing as he prepared to dodge. But the beast was faster than he anticipated. Its claws grazed his side, tearing through his jacket and drawing a sharp gasp as pain flared.

"Damn it," he hissed, stumbling back.

Shirley was there in an instant, his blade flashing as he forced the creature to retreat. He placed himself firmly between Ezra and the beast, his steel-gray eyes blazing with a mix of anger and concern.

"Get back," Shirley growled. "Now."

Ezra clutched his side, blood seeping through his fingers, but he forced a grin. "What? I'm fine. Just… caught me off guard."

"Ezra," Shirley said, his tone low and deadly. "This isn't a game. Stay back."

For once, Ezra didn't argue. Nodding, he retreated a few steps, his expression uncharacteristically serious as he watched Shirley square off against the beast.

Shirley's grip on his blade tightened, his body tense but unyielding. The beast snarled, its massive frame coiling like a spring as it prepared to strike again .