As Axel and Hana walked through the desolate landscape, the silence between them was palpable. Axel's mind was consumed by thoughts of revenge, while Hana's eyes were fixed on him, searching for reassurance.
Suddenly, Axel's ears perked up, and he stopped in his tracks. "Do you hear that?" he whispered, his eyes scanning the surroundings.
Hana's head cocked to the side, and she listened intently. A low growling sound echoed through the air, sending shivers down their spines.
"What is that?" Hana asked, her voice trembling.
Axel's grip on her hand tightened. "I think it's a Korosu," he replied, his voice low and serious. "We need to be careful."
The growling grew louder, and Axel's eyes locked onto a figure emerging from the trees. Its eyes glowed with an otherworldly energy, and its presence seemed to draw the air out of the atmosphere.
"Let's go," Axel whispered, tugging Hana's hand. "We don't want to face it head-on."
As they backed away, the Korosu's gaze locked onto them, its eyes burning with an unnatural hunger. Axel's determination hardened, and he knew they had to keep moving. The threat of the Korosu was just the beginning; Vespera's demise still lingered in his mind, fueling his quest for revenge.
Axel's eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for a way to take down the Korosu. He spotted a nearby stream, its crystal-clear waters babbling over smooth rocks. A plan began to form in his mind.
"Hana, stay close to me," Axel whispered, his eyes fixed on the Korosu. "We're going to lead it to the stream. The water will slow it down, and we'll use that to our advantage."
Hana nodded, her eyes wide with fear. Axel took her hand, and they slowly backed away, leading the Korosu toward the stream. As they reached the water's edge, Axel gave Hana a nod.
Together, they sprinted upstream, the Korosu hot on their heels. The water splashed and churned, making it difficult for the demon to maintain its footing. Axel and Hana used this to their advantage, dodging and weaving between the rocks.
As the Korosu struggled to regain its balance, Axel spotted a large boulder partially submerged in the stream. He gestured to Hana, and they positioned themselves on either side of the boulder.
The Korosu, enraged and off-balance, charged toward them. Axel and Hana waited until the last moment, then pushed the boulder into the demon's path. The massive rock crashed down, pinning the Korosu beneath its weight.
The demon let out a deafening roar as it tried to free itself. Axel and Hana exchanged a triumphant glance, knowing they had it right where they wanted it.
With the Korosu momentarily trapped, Axel rummaged through their surroundings, searching for anything that could be used as a weapon. He found a long, sturdy branch, its end sharpened by a jagged rock.
"Stay back, Hana," Axel warned, his eyes fixed on the Korosu. "I'll take care of this."
With a deep breath, Axel plunged the makeshift spear into the Korosu's exposed flesh. The demon's screams grew weaker as Axel repeatedly struck, aiming for its weak points.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the Korosu's body went limp, its malevolent energy dissipating into the air. Axel and Hana shared a relieved glance, their chests heaving with exhaustion.
As they caught their breath, Axel realized that this victory was just a small step in their journey.