Mark of the Beast :Destiny Awakening

Ryu's chest heaved as he tried to catch his breath, his body trembling from the strange energy that had surged through him. The bond, the connection, it was like a torrent—wild, uncontrollable, and utterly foreign to him. He felt a weight on his chest, a pressure that seemed to come from the very air itself, like the Beasts around him were watching, waiting. The moment the power had flooded through him, everything had shifted. The ground had trembled beneath his feet, and for an instant, it was as though time itself had frozen. His body had been gripped by the overwhelming force of it all—he had never felt so alive, so connected, and yet so afraid.

The Beast in front of him, the one with sleek black fur, stepped back a few paces, its glowing eyes never leaving Ryu. The other Beasts followed suit, creating a circle around him. Their gazes were intense, focused on him as if they were sizing him up, weighing his worth. Ryu could feel their presence in the air, thick and oppressive. The ground still quivered slightly, and the hair on the back of his neck stood on end.

He slowly pushed himself to his feet, feeling the energy within him still churning and thrumming beneath his skin. His mark pulsed in sync with the Beasts' movements, as though it were alive, a living thing in its own right. It burned with an almost insistent force, urging him to act. Yet, despite the overwhelming urge to push forward, a part of him hesitated. Could he really control this power? Was he truly ready to face whatever came next?

The Beast with black fur—the one that had stepped forward first—slowly closed the distance, its eyes never leaving his face. It was massive, its body dwarfing Ryu's frame. The air around it seemed to shimmer with its presence. This was a True Beast. There was no mistaking that. The sheer weight of its power was palpable, and Ryu couldn't help but feel small in comparison.

The Beast stopped just a few feet in front of him, lowering its massive head until it was level with Ryu's. Its eyes glowed with an intensity that sent a jolt of fear through him. The connection from before—the flood of images and emotions—rushed back into his mind. He could feel the Beast's hunger, its instincts, and most of all, its ancient will. It was not just a creature of the wild. It was a force, as old as the world itself.

Ryu's breath caught in his throat. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to do next. He had made contact, yes—but that didn't mean he had gained control. Far from it. The Beast was still a threat, still a wild entity that he needed to understand, to conquer.

And then, to his shock, the Beast spoke.

"Do you seek control?" Its voice was deep and resonant, rumbling through the ground like an earthquake. The sound vibrated in Ryu's chest, and he felt it all the way to his bones. The words weren't spoken in any language he recognized, but the meaning was clear. There was no mistaking it. The Beast wanted to know if he sought mastery over the power, over the mark.

Ryu's throat went dry. His heart pounded in his chest. The Beast's question was not one he could answer lightly. To claim control over the mark, over the Beasts—it was not something one could do without a price. He had to prove his worth. But how?

For a long moment, Ryu simply stared into the Beast's eyes, trying to read its intentions. The air around them seemed to hum, charged with something ancient and wild. He felt the weight of the Beast's gaze like an unspoken challenge. And then, almost instinctively, he found himself responding.

"Yes," Ryu said, his voice steady, despite the uncertainty that gripped him. "I seek control. I need to understand. I need to learn how to use this power."

The Beast's eyes flared, its expression unreadable. It seemed to consider his words for a moment, the air thick with the anticipation of what might come next. And then, without warning, the ground beneath Ryu's feet trembled once more.

A low growl rumbled through the Beast's chest as it began to circle him, its massive form moving with surprising grace. The other Beasts in the circle followed its lead, closing in around Ryu. His pulse quickened as he realized that this wasn't some casual observation. This was a test.

A trial.

If Ryu was to prove himself worthy of the power, worthy of the mark, he would have to face the Beasts. Not just as creatures to be defeated, but as challenges to his very soul.

"Prove yourself, Bearer of the Mark," the Beast intoned, its voice like the rumble of thunder. "Face us and show us your strength."

The moment the words left the Beast's mouth, the atmosphere shifted again. Ryu felt an intense wave of power wash over him, like a sudden surge of electricity. He instinctively raised his arms in defense, but it was too late. Before he could react, the Beast lunged.

The speed at which it moved was incomprehensible. One moment, the massive creature was circling him, its eyes burning with that primal energy, and the next, it was upon him. The ground shook beneath its paws as it closed in with terrifying speed. The Beast's maw opened wide, revealing rows of sharp teeth that gleamed in the dim light. Ryu barely had time to react before it was upon him.

Instinct kicked in. Ryu ducked low, avoiding the Beast's snapping jaws by mere inches. His body moved almost of its own accord, his reflexes sharp from years of training. He could feel the mark on his wrist pulsing violently, urging him to fight, to respond to the power of the Beast. His body surged with the raw energy of the connection, but it was still chaotic—wild and untamed.

He rolled to the side, narrowly escaping the Beast's swipe, its claws tearing through the air where he had been just a moment ago. The force of the movement sent a gust of wind that nearly knocked him off balance. Ryu's heart was hammering in his chest, his body already aching from the strain of trying to keep up with the creature's speed and power.

The Beast growled again, clearly not satisfied with his evasion. It lunged once more, this time with even greater force. Ryu barely managed to sidestep the attack, but his shoulder collided with the Beast's side, sending him crashing into the ground.

He grunted in pain, his vision blurred for a moment as he struggled to get back on his feet. But the mark on his wrist burned, and with it, a wave of power surged through him. The energy from the mark coursed through his veins, filling him with newfound strength.

Ryu's senses sharpened. His thoughts cleared. It was like a veil had been lifted from his mind, and suddenly, he could see everything more clearly—the Beast's movements, the energy in the air, the pulse of power from the mark.

Without thinking, he launched himself toward the Beast, using the power that surged within him. The Beast was faster, but Ryu was no longer the same. He could feel the energy guiding his movements, and he used it to his advantage, dodging and weaving with a speed that seemed to match the Beast's own.

He closed the distance between them in a flash, his fist raised. His body was glowing now, the mark on his wrist flaring brighter than ever. His punch landed squarely on the Beast's chest, and for a moment, the world seemed to stop.

The Beast staggered back, clearly surprised by the force of Ryu's strike. Its eyes flashed with something—approval? No, it wasn't approval. It was a challenge, a deeper understanding.

"You are stronger than you appear, Bearer," the Beast growled, stepping back as it circled him again. "But you are not yet worthy. You will need more than strength to command us."

Ryu's chest rose and fell with each labored breath. The Beast was right. He had fought with all his might, but that wasn't enough. Strength alone wasn't enough to claim control over this power. It wasn't just about surviving. It was about understanding, connecting with the Beasts.

The mark pulsed again, and Ryu knew what he had to do. He had to stop fighting with brute force and start fighting with his mind, with his heart.

"I understand now," he muttered under his breath. "It's not just about the power… It's about connection. It's about forming the bond."

With that, he closed his eyes, focusing all his energy on the mark. He felt the power surge once more, but this time, he didn't resist it. He let it flow through him, through his veins, through his very soul. He reached out with his mind, extending it toward the Beast in front of him.

And then, something shifted.

The bond between him and the Beast began to solidify. Ryu could feel its presence—its ancient spirit—responding to his call. The energy that had once felt chaotic and wild began to settle, becoming something more… controlled. Ryu could feel it—he was no longer just a passive recipient of the power. He was becoming part of it.

He opened his eyes, meeting the Beast's gaze once more. This time, there was no fear, no hesitation. He understood now. He was one with the power, one with the Beast.

And the Beast, in turn, recognized that.