The deeper she went, the quieter everything became. Even the sound of her own breathing seemed to fade. Trees thinned until the world around her dissolved into endless darkness.
"Where… am I?" she whispered.
A voice slithered from the shadows.
"Still in the forest, little warrior."
Her blood turned cold. "Who's there?"
"Look up."
Something massive moved above her—scales gleaming like wet obsidian. The creature descended, coiling around itself until its fanged head hovered inches from her face.
A giant serpent, easily fifty feet long.
Kaitara's legs trembled before instinct took over. She leapt back just as the serpent's jaws crashed into the earth, snapping trees like twigs.
"Get away from me!" she shouted, drawing energy into her fists.
The serpent hissed, eyes like molten gold. "Keep quiet so I can eat you."
It lunged again, but she dodged sideways, rolling through the dirt as its teeth sank deep into the ground.
"You're a fast one," it sneered. "But speed won't save you."
Kaitara gritted her teeth. "We'll see about that!"
Her Takuda marks flared, three glowing diamonds along her arms. Lightning crackled across her fists. She struck the serpent's face with a blinding punch that echoed through the void—but when the dust cleared, the creature only smiled.
"Nothing," it said mockingly. "You can't hurt what isn't real."
Kaitara gasped as its tail whipped through the air, slamming into her side. Pain exploded through her ribs, and she hit a tree hard enough to crack the bark.
"Why aren't my attacks working?" she thought, stumbling to her feet. The serpent coiled tighter, laughter rumbling like thunder.
Its body shot forward, wrapping around her until she could barely breathe. Pressure crushed her chest.
"Prepare to be eaten, girl," it hissed, opening its jaws.
She screamed, struggling, mind racing. This isn't physical… it's fear.
Her eyes widened. "That's it…"
Energy surged through her body. "My fear gives it power!"
Her Takuda marks ignited brighter than ever, flooding her veins with light.
With a furious cry, she ripped the coils apart. The serpent shrieked as cracks spread across its scales.
Kaitara leapt high, fists blazing. "Storm Technique: Lightning Fist!"
Electricity burst from her punch as it connected with the serpent's heart. The creature convulsed, dissolving into black smoke.
The forest brightened—trees returned, air cleared, birds began to sing.
Panting, Kaitara looked around. "I did it…"
She wiped blood from her cheek and smiled faintly. "Guess I'm not so scared after all."
She kept walking toward the faint light that had appeared in the distance.