The Apex Mane's claws gleamed like burnished steel as they reached for his throat, but Ethan had learned from their previous encounter. His pattern recognition kicked in as he identified the subtle muscle tensing that preceded each devastating strike.
There. Left shoulder drops before he swipes his claw.
He twisted aside with millimetres to spare, the creature's talons carving air where his jugular had been heartbeats before. His counterattack came instantly—a concentrated fire blast that struck the beast's already damaged left side.
SNARL!
The Apex Mane's pain-filled growl echoed through the clearing as flames licked at partially healed wounds. But this time, Ethan pressed his advantage instead of allowing the Mane any recovery time.
Water manipulation created pressurised streams that hammered the creature's scarred face, forcing it to guard its remaining eye while he repositioned for better angles.
Learning its patterns. Every movement has tells.
