Panic surged through Kurozane, overriding his exhaustion and fear. The monstrous creature, the Shadowed Maw, was closing in, its silent, deliberate movements more terrifying than any roar. He knew he was cornered, trapped behind the thorny bushes with no means of conventional defense.
As the creature drew closer, a primal instinct for survival took over. His mind, usually clouded with fear and confusion regarding his power, focused on the immediate threat. He remembered the coldness, the surge of darkness that had erupted when he was in mortal danger back in the village. He didn't know how, but he desperately willed that same darkness to appear, to protect him once more.
A low growl escaped the Shadowed Maw's throat as it reached the edge of the thicket. Its razor-sharp teeth were visible in the dim light filtering through the leaves. Just as it prepared to lunge, a wave of that familiar, chilling cold emanated from Kurozane.
This time, instead of an uncontrolled burst, the shadows around him seemed to deepen and coalesce with a more focused intensity. It was as if the darkness itself was responding to his desperate need. A tendril of shadow, blacker than the surrounding night, snaked out from beneath the bushes, lashing towards the Shadowed Maw with surprising speed.
The creature recoiled with a hiss, its red eyes widening in surprise as the shadowy tendril struck its chitinous hide. The impact wasn't physically forceful, but it seemed to cause the Shadowed Maw visible discomfort, making it stumble back slightly.
Kurozane stared in stunned disbelief. He hadn't consciously controlled that shadow, but it had acted with a clear intent to defend him. The terror was still there, but it was now mixed with a sliver of bewildered hope.
The Shadowed Maw, clearly surprised and agitated, snarled and swiped at the shadowy tendril with its sharp claws. The shadow dissipated upon contact, but Kurozane felt a strange sensation, a faint connection to that fleeting darkness.
Realizing that this unexpected defense might be his only chance, Kurozane pushed through the thorny bushes, ignoring the stinging scratches. He scrambled out into the small clearing, keeping his eyes fixed on the Shadowed Maw.
The creature, now wary, circled him slowly, its red eyes burning with predatory intelligence. It seemed to sense the strange power emanating from him, a power it hadn't anticipated.
Kurozane didn't know what to do. He couldn't command the shadows, but perhaps, in moments of extreme danger, his instinct would guide them. He took a tentative step back, putting more distance between himself and the Shadowed Maw, his mind racing for any means of escape. The instinct of shadow had manifested, but he was still facing a deadly predator in the heart of a terrifying forest.