The dense forest was alive with the hum of nature, the air thick with the scent of pine and earth. Simon "Ghost" Riley, John Price, Kyle "Gaz" Garrick, and the rest of the team moved carefully through the underbrush, their boots crunching on the damp ground. They had been navigating this rugged terrain for hours, searching for any sign of their target. The sound of rustling leaves and snapping branches was a constant reminder of how far they had ventured into this untamed wilderness.

Suddenly, the quiet was shattered by a deep growl—a low, guttural rumble that vibrated through the ground. Ghost’s instincts flared, and he immediately drew his weapon, scanning the perimeter.

The bear emerged from the shadows of the trees, its eyes wild with hunger. A massive creature, its fur matted and dripping, the animal was clearly driven by desperation. It lunged forward with terrifying speed, its claws raking through the air, aiming straight for Price.

Price barely managed to roll to the side, cursing as he drew his own gun. Gaz quickly positioned himself to cover, but the bear was fast, its ferocity unmatched by anything they'd encountered.

"Shit! We need to take it down now!" Price barked, trying to steady his breath.

The bear’s roar echoed through the trees as it lunged at Ghost, who narrowly avoided its massive paws. The team scattered, trying to find a clear shot, but the beast was relentless, a blur of fur and teeth.

It seemed the odds were against them, until a figure, no older than 14, appeared from the dense foliage. A child—barely more than a shadow—stood at the edge of the clearing, eyes cold and focused.

The group froze, momentarily confused. The child wasn’t running. He wasn’t scared.

With a fluid, almost unnatural grace, the child drew a sword—an archaic blade that glinted in the low light. The weapon was long, its edges gleaming dangerously. Without a moment’s hesitation, the child sprinted toward the bear, moving with a speed that seemed impossible for someone so young.