– The Challenger

  Days Passed: 2

  The trench is mine. The hunting ground is mine.

  For two days, nothing has challenged me. No intruders. No predators. The ocean is silent.

  Too silent.

  I know better than to believe peace lasts in the abyss.

  Something is coming.

  ---

  The water shifts.

  A heavy, slow tremor rolls through the currents. Not prey. Not weak.

  Something large.

  I drift near the seafloor, pressing myself into the shadows of my trench. I do not move. I do not breathe.

  Then, I feel it.

  A massive shape gliding just beyond the edge of my hunting ground. Its presence warps the current, sending waves of pressure rippling outward.

  It is not aimless.

  It is patrolling.

  No.

  It is claiming.

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  [ Status Identified. ]

  ? Razorback Serpent

  ? Species: Deep-Sea Predator

  ? Size: Large (3x Veyrn’s length)

  ? Health: 100%

  ? Condition: Territorial – Searching for Threats

  I am the threat.

  This thing did not come here to hunt. It came to take what is mine.

  It is not a passing predator.

  It is an alpha.

  A rival.

  The first I have ever faced.

  I have two choices.

  Fight.

  Or flee.

  But I already know the answer.

  I will not run.

  ---

  I move carefully, circling the edge of the trench, staying low. I do not attack first.

  I watch.

  The Razorback is powerful, but its size slows it. Its long body coils as it scans the terrain. It does not see me yet.

  That is my advantage.

  I cannot fight this thing head-on.

  But I do not need to.

  I just need to strike where it hurts.

  I weave through the rocks, positioning myself near its blind spot. My gills flare, taking in the water. My muscles tense.

  Wait.

  Wait.

  Now.

  I launch forward, aiming for its gills.

  It reacts instantly.

  I barely dodge as its tail whips toward me. The water booms with the force of the impact, shaking the sand beneath us.

  I twist, avoiding the hit—but my moment is gone.

  The Razorback coils toward me, its mouth parting slightly.

  Its jaws are lined with serrated teeth.

  I need a new plan.

  ---

  It lunges.

  I dive downward, avoiding the strike by inches. My tail flicks hard, propelling me toward the trench walls.

  I need to control the terrain.

  I dart through the narrow crevices, weaving between jagged stone. The Razorback follows, but it is too large.

  It scrapes against the rock, forced to slow.

  This is my chance.

  I circle back, launching at its side. My jaws snap forward—

  I bite down hard.

  [ Health: 96%… 88%… 82%… ]

  It thrashes violently, nearly throwing me off. I hold on.

  Then—pain explodes through my side.

  Its tail slams into me.

  [ Health: 71% → 42% ]

  The force sends me crashing into the rocks. The impact rattles my skull.

  The Razorback turns toward me, its eyes locking onto mine.

  It knows I am a threat now.

  No more hesitation.

  It is coming to kill me.

  ---

  I cannot take another hit like that.

  I force my body to move, darting deeper into the trench, forcing the Razorback to follow.

  I need an opening.

  I see it.

  A narrow gap between two rock formations. Too small for the Razorback.

  If I can lure it in…

  I push forward, twisting through the passage at full speed. The Razorback chases.

  It lunges—

  And slams into the rocks.

  The force shakes the trench walls. Sand and debris explode into the water, blinding both of us.

  I recover first.

  I lunge.

  I go for the gills.

  My jaws clamp down.

  I tear.

  [ Health: 42%… 28%… 12%… 0%. ]

  The Razorback convulses. Its body goes limp.

  I release my grip, letting it sink into the depths.

  The trench is silent once more.

  I exhale slowly.

  I have won.

  I have defended my home.

  But my body aches

  . My wounds burn. I have never fought something this strong before.

  I need to heal.

  And I need to prepare.

  Because if this predator thought my trench was worth claiming…

  Others will, too.