Chapter 20: Stabbed in the back

Elijah rose early before the sun had fully climbed over the horizon. He tiptoed upstairs to check on Steven, who was still snoring softly in his bed.

"Good, he hasn't woken up yet. I'll just leave him a note by his door, or maybe slip it under the crack," Elijah muttered to himself as he grabbed his hunting gear. He scribbled a quick note and left it on the floor outside Steven's room. He hoped that Steven would understand why he had to go on the mission without him.

Elijah met Kai outside, who was already waiting for him with a carriage. They exchanged a brief greeting and climbed in. The carriage driver whipped the horses and they sped off towards the wilderness, where the beasts lurked.

The carriage ride was long and bumpy, but Elijah and Kai didn't mind. They were used to traveling across the land, hunting down the beasts that plagued the world. They had seen many horrors and wonders in their journeys, but they never lost their sense of duty and courage.

They reached the road that led to Cairo, where the beasts had been sighted. They got off the carriage and thanked the driver, who wished them luck and drove away. Elijah and Kai got their weapons and scanned the surroundings. They saw a trail of blood and fur on the ground, leading to the bushes.

"Looks like we found them," Kai said, grinning.

"Let's go then," Elijah said, nodding.

They followed the trail, moving stealthily and quietly. They reached the edge of the bushes and peered inside. They saw a group of beasts, about six or seven, feasting on the carcass of a horse all of them being intermediate tier beasts. The beasts were a little large and looked like that of a saber tooth, with gray fur and yellow eyes. They had sharp teeth and claws and it looked like the beasts spotted them.

Elijah and Kai got their weapons and fired Ki energy at them. The Ki energy had been sent out like bullets hitting the beasts, causing them to roar in pain and anger. The beast was now alert and charged at them. Elijah and Kai also charged at them and started to get in combat. They managed to kill six of the beasts, but there was one remaining which was faster and stronger.

"Why is this one faster and feel more stronger than the rest of them, is it close to being an advanced-tier beast? well, either way, we will kill it and get this over with" Kai said as he continued to fight the beast with Elijah

The beast leaped at Kai, knocking him down and biting his shoulder. Kai screamed and kicked the beast off him, but he was wounded and bleeding. Elijah ran to help him, and he shot the beast in the chest with his Ki energy slowing the beast down a little. The beast lunged at Elijah, but Elijah was ready for it, his hook swords lit up with his Ki energy, and he got into a stance. The beast got close enough allowing Elijah to cut off the beast's head

Elijah sat on the floor relieved, they had just killed seven beasts and one of them was close to being an advanced-tier beast. He looked at Kai who was injured and was trying to use his Ki energy to heal himself faster.

Hmmm, a sound was heard, and both Elijah and Kai could hear footsteps heading their way. The figure was now in view as they saw it,

Oh shit, is that a humanoid beast. and judging from the aura the figure was giving off, it was a mystical tier beast.

Kai, who had regained some of his senses, saw the beast and panicked. He got up and ran, leaving Elijah behind. He didn't care about him at all, he only cared about his survival. He ran towards the road at full speed, hoping to find a carriage or a horse or anything that could take him away from the beast.

Elijah saw Kai run away and felt a surge of anger and betrayal. He had trusted Kai, he had considered him a friend, but Kai had abandoned him. He felt a pang of sadness and disappointment, but he also felt that he could do it. He wasn't going to give up, he wasn't going to die. He reached for his weapon, which was lying next to him. He grabbed it and pointed it at the beast, who was still staring at him.

"No, this is not the way, I can't fight this beast. I would be dead in seconds. I have to run, just like Kai did. Yes, yes, that's the only way to survive" Elijah said to himself as he realized he was no match for the beast.

Elijah channeled his Ki energy to his legs to boost his speed. He turned and ran towards the road, but then he stopped in horror. The beast was in front of him, blocking his way. It had a wide grin on its face as if it was enjoying the chase. "Damn, how can this beast be so fast?" Elijah cursed. "Well, I guess I have no choice but to fight

Elijah gripped his weapon tightly and faced the beast. He knew he had little chance of winning, but he refused to give up. He had trained hard to become a beast hunter, and he wasn't going to let his life end here. He hoped that Kai would come back to help him, or that someone else would show up. But he knew he couldn't rely on anyone but himself.

The beast got into a stance and lunged at Elijah, its claws and teeth ready to tear him apart. Elijah dodged to the side and fired out Ki slashes, hoping to hit a vital spot. But the beast was faster than any other than Elijah had ever faced before. The beast jumped up high and then it swung its leg at Elijah and hit Elijah right in the head.

Elijah had been stunned by the hit and was trying to balance himself but the beast was already on him. It bit down on his arm, making him scream in agony. Elijah felt his blood dripping from the wound, and his Ki energy fading.

After biting down on Elijah's arm, the beast made a slash across his chest, sending Elijah flying. "At least, I did not bring Steven along, he would have died along with me. I guess this is the end for you isn't that right Elijah"