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The silence didn't last long.
No sooner had the Bind Disc sealed the Moltragon Pup did the trees tremble again.
The remaining three Echo Beasts had circled back.
Wraithapede's eerie shimmer flickered through the trees. Rumblefur snarled with bruised pride. And a third new one appeared—a Stormmire, a floating, electric eel-like serpent with glowing fins crackling with static.
Kyle's breath caught.
"Three more?!"
He glanced at his new companion, still dazed from the capture process. Moltragon's ember eyes looked up at him. Then at Obsidaclaw.
Then it stood.
Not against him—but beside him.
Kyle clenched his fists. "We end this. Together."
The beasts rushed in—no time for doubt.
"Obsidaclaw, Flare Strike on the Wraithapede! Moltragon—hit Rumblefur with Ember Smash!"
The forest lit up again.
Obsidaclaw dashed low, its body a blur of shadows and flame. It twisted mid-leap and slammed into Wraithapede's side, knocking the beast into a tree. The shimmer around its body flickered violently.
Moltragon reared back and spewed molten sparks at Rumblefur, who roared and charged back with brute force. The ground cracked beneath its steps—but Moltragon didn't yield.
"Block it with your tail! Then counter!"
Moltragon spun mid-air, tail of magma crashing into Rumblefur's face. Sparks flew, smoke rose—and Rumblefur collapsed in a heap.
But Kyle hadn't forgotten the last threat.
Stormmire.
It floated above, eyes glowing like stormlight. It fired a bolt of raw lightning downward.
Kyle's eyes widened. "Obsidaclaw, dodge! Moltragon—protect him!"
The lava-pup jumped high and took the blast to its back. Its body shuddered—but it stayed standing.
Kyle's heart raced. "We're not giving up."
He raised another Bind Disc, sweat on his brow.
But something stopped him.
Stormmire was pulling back. Its glow faded, its body trembling.
It looked… afraid.
And then it fled into the forest.
Silence again.
Kyle dropped to his knees, panting. Both of his Echo Beasts were battered, bruised, but alive.
They looked at each other… then at him.
And together, they nodded.
Kyle smiled faintly. "I guess… I've got a team now."
> Current Echo Beasts:
Obsidaclaw [Fragment-Born]
Moltragon Pup [Wild-Captured]
Bind Discs Remaining: 4
He stood, sore and tired. The forest still whispered of dangers to come.
But something had changed.
For the first time, Kyle didn't feel alone.
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