"A Cyclops. A Phoenix. Or even a Dragon."
The words fell from Kenny's tongue and crashed into the silence, shattering the air like a stone through glass. Rufus and his friends exchanged glances, a flash of understanding—though laced with skepticism—passing between them.
The sound of armor clinking echoed as Rufus rose to his full height, his broad frame towering over Kenny like a shadow.
Kenny couldn't help but notice how the black combat tech armor clung to Rufus's figure, emphasizing every ripple of muscle.
His perfect hair, untouched by the day's exertions, framed a face that bore a cold, mocking smile.
"You're only sixteen,"
Rufus said, his voice smooth but edged with disdain.
"Just a kid in the grand scheme of things. What do you even know about beast auras?"
He stepped closer, the weight of his presence pressing down on Kenny.
"You're becoming quite bold to tell such an obvious lie while I'm standing right in front of you. Now, look at me and say you saw that golden light again."
Kenny diverted his gaze, not out of fear or uncertainty, but because he couldn't stand the thought of literally looking up at his brother.
Why was the universe so unfair? Why did Rufus get the height, the strength, and the admiration, while he was left in his shadows?
Kenny's hand instinctively twitched, as if he could squeeze the injustice out of the air.
Timmy chimed in from the side, his tone cautious.
"Rufus, we might have to check it out. The kid looked pretty serious."
Blake nodded, his voice adding weight to the suggestion.
"Yeah, I don't think he's lying."
Rufus scoffed, the sound sharp and dismissive.
"Come on, guys, let's be real. A titan? In the first level of the Beast World? Worse, its aura appearing in the safe zone?"
He shook his head, his smile turning patronizing.
"That's impossible. Besides, I know my brother. He likes to be in the spotlight."
Kenny almost rolled his eyes at the words, his pride stinging more than he wanted to admit.
Rufus glanced up at the sky, where the clouds were shifting, the sun retreating as night began to creep in.
"Let's move out,"
he said, his tone final.
"We'll make camp under the cliff."
He reached for his tamed beast, Winter, the massive feline with snow-white fur streaked with black and eyes like molten gold.
The creature purred as Rufus rubbed its fur, nuzzling against his hand like an overgrown housecat. The sight almost made Kenny think Winter was cute, but he knew better. He had seen what those razor-sharp claws could do.
Kenny stood rooted to the spot as the group rose to their feet, slinging bags stuffed with monster meat over their shoulders.
He scrunched up a side of his lips, almost like a sneer, and muttered under his breath, mimicking Rufus's voice with bitter sarcasm and eerie accuracy.
"I know my brother. He likes the spotlight."
His eyes darted back to where he had seen the golden flash—a light no one else seemed to notice.
"The mighty Rufus,"
Kenny whispered, his voice laced with defiance.
"You think you're always right about everything. Well, today, you made a big mistake. I'm going to find that creature and prove you wrong. Mark my words."
A cold smile crept onto his face as he imagined Rufus's reaction when he returned with proof.
The smile faltered, however, when Rufus's voice called out, sharp and impatient.
"How long are you going to stand around?"
Kenny jogged to catch up with the group, who had already begun descending the narrow, rocky path that spiraled down the cliffside.
The trail was treacherous, winding through jagged rocks and loose gravel, with the occasional gnarled tree clinging stubbornly to the slope.
The air grew cooler as they descended, the oppressive heat of the sun replaced by a damp, earthy chill. Finally, they arrived at a shaded hollow under the cliff, where the ground was soft and the air smelled of moss and wet stone.
Kenny set to work unpacking the gear while Rufus and his friends lounged like kings overseeing their domain.
He pulled a compact item from one of the bags—a device with metal arms and a wide cloth tucked between its hinges. With a few adjustments and the press of a button, the contraption popped into a tent.
Kenny always marveled at the ingenuity; it wasn't just a tent but a portable sanctuary, a reminder of home in this unforgiving world. It made him miss his soft bed.
Winter was stationed outside on guard duty, her fluffy fur providing a comfortable bed. Kenny couldn't help but feel a pang of envy; even the beast seemed to have it better than him.
He crawled into the tent, lying down on the thin but comfortable mat, but sleep refused to come. His mind was racing, replaying the golden flash over and over. His heart pounded in his chest, sweat dampening his palms as he clenched and unclenched his fists in anticipation.
The last rays of sunlight vanished, replaced by the pale glow of the moon.
Kenny's eyes suddenly shot open, darting around the dimly lit tent. He sat up slowly, twisting to glance at Rufus. His brother's chest rose and fell in the steady rhythm of deep sleep. A grin spread across his face.
Quietly, he inched toward the tent's opening, his hands trembling as they pressed against the cold zipper.
He guided it open slowly, wincing at the faint sound it made. Stepping outside, he took a deep breath of the cool night air; it smelled like a well-cooked plan.
"I'm going to shock all of you,"
Kenny muttered, a silent laugh escaping his lips. He turned to head up the rocky path, eager to begin his search.
But then he froze.
Two sharp, yellow eyes met his own.
Winter was staring at him, her gaze cold and unreadable. For a moment, Kenny felt like a criminal caught in the act. He swallowed hard, forcing a nervous chuckle.
"Uh… I'm just, uh… heading to the bathroom," he stammered, rubbing the back of his neck.
Winter didn't react, her stare only growing more intense. Kenny took a step back, then another, his heart racing. He finally turned around and hurried behind a large rock, releasing the breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
"Whew… that thing is terrifying,"
he whispered, peeking around the corner.
Winter was still staring at the spot where he had disappeared. There was no time to waste; he couldn't ponder on if the cat would expose him or stay on guard duty.
His journey through the forest was a blur of adrenaline and determination. He moved swiftly, his steps crunching softly against the forest floor. The cold wind nipped at his skin, making him feel exposed and vulnerable.
Kenny slipped past the area where the twelve-legged spiders lurked, shivering at the memory of their grotesque forms. His heart pounded as the weight of his decision settled on him.
His decision to sneak out at night and find where the golden ray came from was one made purely out of anger. He was going to find a beast with a titan aura—a task even seasoned warriors would think twice about attempting. What if the beast saw him first? This reckless decision was only something a sixteen-year-old would make.
Finally, he arrived at a small clearing in the heart of the forest.
"Hmm, I'm sure I saw the light flashing from this direction,"
Kenny muttered, turning in a slow circle. He ran in different directions, shielding his eyes and peering into the darkness, careful to avoid any lurking beasts.
Then, his gaze fell on a cave-like structure hidden in plain sight. It had piles of dirt around, making a small hill with a round opening at the top, as for what was inside...
Kenny gasped, his eyes widening.
"That must be the creature's lair," he whispered, his voice trembling with excitement and fear.
He moved cautiously toward the cave, each step deliberate to avoid cracking twigs or rustling leaves. When he finally reached the entrance, he peered inside and saw that it wasn't deep—just a small dent in the earth. Nestled between heaps of leaves was something that made Kenny's breath catch in his throat.
"An egg," he breathed, his voice barely audible. "A... titan's egg."