The battlefield was brutal. The Brahmarakshas had now grabbed Luna by one leg—WHAM!—he slammed her into the ground with bone-crushing force.
Then again. And again. Without pause, he hurled her across the cave—DHAAM!—and she crashed into the far wall like a ragdoll.
Luna hit the floor, coughing and panting for breath. Her body trembled. She tried to stand—but her limbs refused.
The Brahmarakshas approached. His long claws wrapped around her throat, lifting her effortlessly off the ground and pinning her to the wall.
She struggled. Her hands clawed at his grip, desperate to break free. But he was strong. Too strong. And he grinned down at her like a child toying with an insect.
"Did you really think… you could defeat me so easily?" he growled.
Luna grit her teeth, fingers trying to pry his claws loose. "You'll pay... for what you've done," she hissed.
"Oh? And who's going to make me pay? You?" His grip tightened. Luna cried out in pain.
"Look at yourself," he sneered. "Flailing like a helpless kitten." He leaned closer, his nostrils flaring as he breathed her in.
"You know... I love it when my prey squirms and begs for mercy. Just like that boy did."
"Bastard..." Luna muttered, breathless.
"A body as beautiful as yours... will bring me so much pleasure."
He ran a forked tongue along his fangs. "There's no need to suffer any longer. I'll end your pain right now... little kitty."
But then—Luna smirked. And she looked him directly in the eyes, victorious even in her agony. "So... you want to have fun?"
"Huh...?"
"Then let me show you... what real fun looks like."
The Brahmarakshas blinked. For the first time—he didn't understand.
Oliver stood at a distance, watching everything unfold. A calm, almost knowing smile crept across his face. "This… is exactly why I never try to piss her off."
Luna's eyes glimmered again—but this time, there was something else buried within them. Something deeper. Primal. Dangerous.
The very hand she used to grip the Brahmarakshas's claw—began to change.
Her fingernails extended, razor-sharp like obsidian blades. Her palm and arm doubled in size, muscle swelling, skin bulging. Orange fur began to sprout rapidly, dancing like fire along her arms and shoulders.
The Brahmarakshas's expression twisted in disbelief. What... is this? he thought, as his grip faltered.
His feet began to tremble. The throat he had been choking moments ago—was no longer human.
Hair now coated Luna's face. Her jaw shifted forward. Her fangs elongated. Thin feline whiskers began sprouting near her cheeks. Her body surged upward and outward in one massive, uncontrollable metamorphosis.
She wasn't human anymore. Luna had transformed—into a wild tiger beast.
Towering at nearly twelve feet tall, her body now radiated unbridled strength. Her shoulders were massive, her claws deadly, and her presence was monstrous. Compared to her... the Brahmarakshas now looked small.
Her transformation triggered a pulse.
RROOAARRRR!! Luna let out a thundering roar that shook the entire cave. Every living being within hearing range went still. Even the lizard-skinned demon's scales recoiled at the sheer force of it.
Her golden, glowing eyes locked onto the Brahmarakshas's soul. Her bloodlust poured from her like a suffocating aura.
And in that moment, the demon... was silent. Terrified.
"What is this...? What kind of power is this…?" the Brahmarakshas muttered, unable to look away. A terrible energy now enveloped Luna—like a predator that had hunted for centuries.
Without warning, Luna stepped forward and launched a heavy punch directly at his chest. The Brahmarakshas dodged to her blind side, appearing behind her in a blur. Without hesitation, he dragged his claws across her back.
SHRAKK! But the strike... barely touched her.
The slashes only tore away a few strands of fur. Her skin? Untouched. No reaction. No pain. No scream.
Luna turned her head slowly, her expression unmoved. And when their eyes met—the Brahmarakshas froze.
For the first time in a hundred years... He felt fear.
Luna reeled back her arm. CRACK!
She unleashed a punch straight into the Brahmarakshas's face with the force of a cannon. He went flying—airborne—before crashing into the cave wall and crumpling to the floor like a rag doll.
The demon tried to rise again—but this time, pain burst through his ears. His eardrums had ruptured. He couldn't even hear his own breath.
As he attempted to stand, a monstrous shadow loomed above him. Luna was already there. She grabbed him by the legs and yanked him out from under the wall's rubble, dragging him effortlessly toward the center of the cave.
With a savage growl, she climbed onto his body and sat on top of his chest. Her full weight—overbearing, immovable—pressed him into the stone beneath.
The Brahmarakshas thrashed beneath her, but there was no escape. Luna clenched both her fists—tight, trembling—with a fury that could crush mountains.
She raised them high above her head.
The Brahmarakshas's eyes widened. His breath caught in his throat. "W-Wait!!" he screamed, arms shooting up to shield his head in desperation.
But it was too late. With a savage roar, Luna brought her fists down like twin hammers of judgment.
CRACK! Both of the demon's arms snapped on impact. A sickening, bone-shattering sound echoed through the cavern.
"AAARRGHHH!" the Brahmarakshas howled in agony, writhing like a worm beneath her. But Luna wasn't done. As he scrambled, panicked, to cover his head once more, she launched another barrage.
THUD! THUD! THUD! Blow after blow rained down upon him—ten strikes without pause, without mercy. Blood splattered across the cavern walls. The sound of bones shattering and flesh tearing filled the air, like a twisted symphony of violence.
Only then did she stop. Her chest rose and fell with each breath, her fists dripping crimson. She looked down. His face was barely recognizable. Flattened. Mutilated. His fangs shattered. His eyes trembling.
And yet, Luna raised her fist one last time—for the final blow. But, A hand caught her wrist. "Stop," Oliver's voice came, steady yet urgent. "We need him alive, Luna. Don't kill him."
She froze. Her breath ragged, her knuckles white, she turned to him. "He's taken so many lives, Oliver…" Her voice was low. Heavy.
"I know," he replied gently. "But if you kill him now… you'll become just like him."
"I don't care." Her eyes were blazing, her face streaked with blood and tears. "This thing doesn't deserve to live. He... he killed Ayaan!"
Oliver looked at her—his expression soft, quiet, resolute. "Ayaan is still alive."
Luna's eyes widened. "What…?" Her voice cracked. "That's not possible."
"It's true. Rudra has already taken him. He's safe."
The bloodlust drained from her eyes, replaced by disbelief... then overwhelming emotion. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she slowly lowered her arms. She stepped off the demon's body and collapsed to her knees.
Her monstrous form began to dissolve—fur retracting, limbs shrinking. Her muscles softened and her body returned to that of a wounded girl.
She was human again. Her clothes were torn to shreds, barely clinging to her frame. Vulnerable. Exhausted.
Oliver quickly reached into his pack and pulled out a blanket, wrapping it around her gently.
Luna clutched the blanket to her chest. "Please… please save him," she whispered through trembling lips. Tears flowed freely as her voice broke. "Please…"
Her legs buckled. She fell—only to be caught in Oliver's arms. "Luna!!" he called out, cradling her.
"I'm fine…" she whispered weakly. "I'm just... out of energy."
"You'll have to carry me from here…"
Oliver exhaled a shaky breath and gave her a small smile. "You maniac… You scared the hell out of me."
Luna gave a faint smile, her eyelids fluttering shut.
But then—
Oliver heard it. A ragged breath... behind him.
He turned slowly—and there, still alive, barely breathing, was the Brahmarakshas. Beaten. Broken. But not dead.
Oliver gently laid Luna down, then walked toward the creature. The demon's eyes followed him, but his body was too damaged to move.
Without a word, Oliver reached into his pocket and pulled out a syringe. A special one.
Click. He plunged the needle into the demon's neck. Within seconds, the Brahmarakshas's breath slowed... and stopped.
Oliver checked his watch. Pressed a button. "Send backup. Now."
A crackling voice responded through the comms: "Status update on the mission?"
Oliver looked down at the unconscious Luna. At the demon's still corpse. And smiled.
"Mission is successful," he said, voice calm and assured. "I repeat—mission is successful."