Chapter 31: The Demon’s Rampage!

Villagers turned to where the harsh sound had come from. They were bewildered and even concerned. They had never heard a cry like that before. Three of the guards who patrolled the area faced the direction of the noise, each one nodding to the other before heading toward the source.

The Ferral clone stopped his shriek and examined the muscles this body had. He looked at a tree that was next to him and whipped his right arm, destroying the middle of the tree. As it fell to the floor, the clone chuckled with joy, then turned his sights forward. He bolted toward the village, tripping over his own speed, tumbling on the ground. He laughed while he rolled before crashing into a tree. Once he got up, the clone smashed the tree and continued running. He raced through the forest, flinging his arms around and demolishing every tree that was in his way. A bird flew overhead, and he jumped up, opening his torn jaw and snapping it through the bird’s neck. The animal’s head fell to the floor. He swallowed the body, laughing like a lunatic.

The three guards heard the laughter coming closer, and they stopped, waiting as it got closer. The clone saw the guards, so he slammed his feet sideways into the ground, coming to a screeching halt. The four faced off, the guards not sure who or what this person was. “Just what the hell are you?” One asked. All the clone did was tilt his head and chuckle. He took a step, and the guards got into fighting stances. “Be prepared! We don’t know how strong this person-thing is.” The clone rushed forward with incredible speed; they couldn’t react in time. He cocked back his arm, throwing a punch that went through one of their chest. The clone looked in awe while the others gasped in shock.

He pulled his arm out, setting his sights on the other two. They gritted their teeth and went on the attack. The clone tried to throw another punch, but this time it was avoided and was kicked in the face. He flew to the side, bouncing against a boulder. One of the guards slammed his foot into the clone’s stomach; he groaned in pain. The two kept him against the rock, throwing a barrage of attacks, none of which he could react to. They attacked together, punching him in the face, destroying the rock behind. The clone fell back, seemingly unconscious.

The guards slowly moved closer toward the body. The clone’s eyes shot open, quickly sitting up and lunging forward. His speed was even faster than before. He grabbed one of the guards by both forearms, cocking back his head and bashing it into the guard’s face. He did this repeatedly, blood staining his forehead. After one more attack, the clone let go, and the guard’s body fell to the ground. His face is a bloody mess. The last guard whimpered in fear, trying to attack the clone once more. Her fist slammed against his cheek, but her eyes widened after seeing that it had no effect. He chuckled, wagging his finger. The guard slowly backed away, then turned and ran off. The clone let her run for a minute before exploding after her.

He rammed his foot into her back, knocking her to the ground. He reached down, stabbing his left hand through the back of her neck, and slowly tore out her spine. It only ripped halfway before breaking off with a loud snap. The clone snickered, licking the blood that dripped from the bones. His nose twitched, turning his head after catching multiple scents in the direction of where the guard was trying to run. Food, flowers…people. The clone was filled with glee; he let out another roar.

Nia’s ears twitched as she picked up the horrible noise. She looked up out the window of the main office on the first. “What was that?” She got up out of the chair and walked closer toward the window. Villagers screamed in terror, running away. Nia opened the window and jumped out, heading to where all the commotion was.

The clone walked into the village, one of the guards' half-eaten bodies slung over his shoulder. He bit into a leg that he held with his other hand. He took one of their pants and wore it, only out of curiosity. Villagers looked at him in horror, blood covering his hands and forehead. People screamed in fear, some running off. “Hel...lo.” His voice was raspy, wheezing with each breath. Nia stopped when she found him; her eyes widened. “F-Ferral?” She took a step forward. The clone shook his head, dropping the body parts he carried. Nia got into a fighting stance, “I don’t know who or what you are, but leave this village!”

He laughed, dashing toward her. Nia dodged the punch the clone threw, grabbing his arm and throwing him over her shoulder. She slammed him to the ground, the wind knocked out of him. She was much stronger than the others. He growled, getting up and throwing frantic attacks. Nia was confused; he had no actual strategy. She blitzed through his attacks, delivering several weighted blows. She kicked him back, sending him falling into the cold lake.

Before he could get up, Nia slammed her knee into his chest, holding him down. He reached out his arms, but she grabbed both, continuing to drown him. The clone thrashed and roared in the water, unable to get out. Water started to fill his lungs…then his body pulsed. He clenched his fists, being able to break out of Nia’s grip. His body started to rise from the water, overpowering Nia, so she jumped back. Still on her guard, she watched as he burst from the water.

He took deep breaths, staring at her with rage in his eyes. He stood up, his body continuing to pulse. His body grew, groaning in pain as fur began to cover his arms and legs. A wolf tail sprouted from his tailbone, and wolf ears grew from the top of his head. His canines grew longer as well. The clone’s fur color was the same as his hair, his claws an obsidian black. He panted heavily, looking at his morphed. “hehehe…KAHAHAHA!!” The newly transformed clone threw his head back and bellowed.

Once again, the two stared off, Nia unsure of what to do. The clone lunged forward, his speed even greater. He threw the same punch; this time, Nia had to block. His attacks were the same, only faster and stronger. On one of the blows Nia blocked, she was sent flying back and crashed into one of the buildings. As she got up from the rumble, the clone leaped into the air, his foot falling toward her. She jumped out of the way, springing up and socking him across the lower jaw. He slid back, shaking his head, trying to refocus. Nia rushed at him, and he cocked back his fist again.

However, this time, when he went to throw it, he stuck his claws out. Nia moved out of the way, getting a deep cut on her cheek. She growled. The clone looked proud that he was able to draw blood. “Hey!” Nia shouted, “Follow me!” The clone looked confused as she ran off, but he grinned and ran after her. During their chase, he cut down more trees and any other life that passed by.

Once they were out of the village and deep enough in the jungle, Nia spun around the punched the clone across the face. He was sent to the side, sliding against the ground. “Good, now that we’re out of the village, I don’t have to worry about anyone getting hurt or buildings destroyed.” Nia charged at the clone while he got up, kneeing him in the face. The back of his head hit a tree, and he fell back down. Nia went to stab him with her claws, but he rolled out of the way. He popped back up, stumbling as he ran toward her. Before he attacked her, he got into an actual fighting stance and threw a jab at her. She blocked it, then evaded another; his moves had more skill to them now. They weren’t anything special, but Nia knew she had to end this fast. He was becoming more of a threat the longer this fight dragged on.

Nia grabbed one of his legs and spun him around. She threw him away, his body crashing through a few trees before hitting the ground. She bolted after him; she couldn’t give him a second to breathe. As he slowly got up, Nia transformed into Super Full Power, slamming both her fists against his head. He hit the ground again, Nia kicking him him the ribs, sending him away. The clone struggled as he got up, his battered face flushed with joy. Nia’s assault didn’t stop; she grabbed him by the back of the neck and dragged his body across the ground. She tossed him into a river.

The clone flipped over, coughing after his face was in the water. He looked around to see where Nia had gone. She jumped out of the bushes, holding a thick, broken stick in both hands, and she drove it straight into his heart. He howled in pain before his body went numb. Nia panted heavily, walking back to the riverbank and taking a seat. She stared at the lifeless body, having a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach.

A soft laughter came from the clone. Nia couldn’t believe it; she thought she was dreaming. His body slowly sat up, grinning from ear to ear. He grabbed the stick, ripping it out, purple blood leaking from the sides of his mouth. He got up, his body pulsing again. His body began to grow again, the fur around his arms and legs spreading out the rest of his body. His face was growing out, looking more wolf-like. Nia stumbled back. She knew he was awakening. He had grown to twelve feet tall, his body morphed into a giant werewolf-like monster. His eyes were completely blackened, and his tail had changed. Becoming a long, armored whip-like tail with small black spikes a the end.

“GROOAAARR!!!!” He cried, slamming his fist into the ground. Nia quickly got up and charged at the beast. She attacked it, but him, but he looked down unfazed. He batted her away, and she was sent flying back, crashing through several trees. “GROOAAARR!!!!” The beast chased after her, destroying everything in sight. She strained to get up, but just before he could attack again, Nia moved out of the way. She ran away, hiding behind some bushes.

The beast continued his mindless rampage, thrashing around and throwing large rocks and trees. Nia panted heavily. She needed to figure out how to stop him. He roared to the sky, that roar slowly turning into the same inhuman cry he’s let out before. Nia peeked out from behind the bush, seeing that he had stopped. He threw his arms into the air as his body began to shrink.

He was returning to his human form, all the fur on his body leaving and stopping at his shoulders and inner thighs. Once the transformation was over, everything went silent. The clone stood there, quiet. His forearms and hands had become larger, and his tail stayed the same. His hair had grown back, down to the middle of his back, forming somewhat of a lion’s mane. The clone closed his eyes, sighing softly. Nia tried to keep her rapid breathing quiet. The clone opened his eyes and sprinted off.

“Shit, he must be heading back to the village,” Nia muttered, turning back around to see his grinning face right in front of hers. “Found you.” He said, singsongly. His tail shot out, quickly wrapping her around the throat. He picked her up in the air, and she struggled to get loose. He laughed as he repeatedly punched her in the stomach and face. His attacks grew faster, stronger, and his laughter grew louder and louder. He whipped his tail back, slamming her against various objects. Trees and rocks and the ground itself.

He threw her to the side, her body rolling across the ground. As he walked proudly toward her, Nia struggled to get up. She was too beaten up; she coughed violently, and blood dripped off her bottom lip. He lifted his right hand in the air, ready to deliver the final blow.

Something bolted out of the bushes behind Nia, and Laura and Berus both kicked the clone in the stomach. Laura’s eyes had that crimson color when they were at the beach. He slid back, unhurt, but caught off guard by their sudden attack. “Mama! Mama!” Berus ran over to Nia while Laura stared angrily at the clone. “No, you two have to get out of here! Now!” Nia pleaded. “We want to help!” Laura turned her head. Nia was confused about what had happened to her daughter, but it didn’t matter right now.

“Children! Children, stop!!!!’ Reginald came running out. He huffed, “My deepest apologies, Chieftess.” He gasped for air, “I tried to stop them.” The clone roared at them, his split jaw showing the rows of sharp teeth and a long, thin tongue. He lunged at Laura and Berus, the two frozen in fear. “NO!” Nia shouted, jumping in front of them. His claws rammed through her stomach.