Avatar the immortal

Ash and Kael soared through the night sky, the wind whispering against their skin as they moved in sync. Ash had learned to control his flight, and now, he barely needed to think about it. Ki flowed naturally, keeping him and Kael gliding smoothly through the air. Their purple auras trailed behind them, leaving faint streaks of light against the evening sky. 

They had been flying for hours, enjoying the freedom of the sky without a particular destination. Ash glanced over at Kael, her large body effortlessly keeping pace with him. She had no wings, but her control over her Ki was so refined that it didn't matter—she flew just as gracefully as any bird. 

The sun was sinking below the horizon now, casting deep orange and purple hues across the sky. The stars had started to emerge, faint at first but gradually becoming more brilliant. Ash couldn't help but feel a sense of peace in moments like these—drifting through the sky, with nothing but the endless expanse of stars ahead. 

"Think we should call it a night?" Ash called over to Kael, his voice casual but laced with affection. He didn't need rest, but even he enjoyed slowing down from time to time. 

Kael barked in agreement, and with a subtle shift in her energy, she began to descend. Ash followed her lead, and together they glided down toward an open patch of grassland nestled between the trees. The ground came up to meet them gently, their landing soft and quiet. 

Ash stretched as his feet touched the ground, the cool earth beneath his boots a reminder of their journey. "Not bad for a day's work," he said, dropping onto the grass with a sigh of contentment. He didn't feel physically tired, but there was something relaxing about lying down after hours of flying. "What do you think, Kael? Stars are looking pretty nice tonight." 

Kael circled around him before lying down next to him, her massive form settling into the grass like a protective barrier. Her fur brushed against Ash's side as she rested her head on her paws, her golden eyes scanning the area out of instinct, always watchful. 

Ash looked up at the stars, his arms folded behind his head. The sky was clear, and the stars shone brightly, a peaceful contrast to the adventures they had been through recently. He exhaled, taking in the moment. 

"Crazy, isn't it?" he mused aloud. "Flying around, getting stronger, fighting weird creatures. And now... just stargazing." 

Kael huffed softly, her eyes half-lidded but still alert. She was calm, but always ready. Her aura pulsed gently, resonating with Ash's own energy, the two of them perfectly in sync. 

They laid there for what felt like hours, simply enjoying the stillness of the night. It was rare to find such peace in a world where danger seemed to lurk behind every corner. 

But then, the peace shattered. 

Kael's ears suddenly perked up, her muscles tensing as she lifted her head. Her golden eyes sharpened, focusing intently in a direction far off to the edge of the clearing. Ash noticed immediately, sitting up. 

"What is it?" he asked, his voice low. Kael's instincts were never wrong. 

Kael growled softly, her gaze fixed on something distant, and Ash followed her line of sight. That's when he saw it—a faint, shimmering light, flickering between the trees. It was distant, but unmistakable. Ash narrowed his eyes. 

"That's new," he muttered. 

Without a word, Kael rose to her feet, standing protectively over Ash, her gaze never leaving the strange glow in the distance. The energy felt foreign, different from anything they had encountered before. 

Ash stood up, brushing himself off. "Looks like we've got something to check out," he said, more to himself than to Kael. He placed a hand on her side, and with a nod, he hopped onto her back. Kael's aura flared, and the two of them moved quietly toward the source of the light. 

The closer they got, the more distinct the light became. It wasn't just a random glow—it was a portal, swirling with energy that pulsed like a heartbeat. The portal was a shimmering vortex, bluish-black with streaks of light spiraling within it. Ash's instincts immediately told him that this wasn't some harmless spectacle. 

Kael slowed as they reached the edge of the clearing, her growl deepening as they neared the portal. Ash slid off her back, eyes narrowing as he cautiously approached the swirling mass of energy. 

The portal buzzed with power, its surface rippling as though it were alive. Ash felt the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. He extended his hand toward the portal, feeling the strange pull of energy brushing against his skin. 

But the moment his hand touched the edge of the portal, it reacted violently. 

The swirling light exploded outward, expanding with a sudden burst of energy that knocked Ash back a few steps. The ground rumbled as the portal grew larger, warping and twisting as though something massive was forcing its way through. 

And then it emerged. 

A creature stepped out of the portal, its body massive and monstrous. It was amphibious in appearance, its bluish-black skin glistening under the moonlight. Its body was covered in thick, slimy scales, and its long limbs ended in webbed claws that dug into the earth with every step. Its eyes were small and beady, glowing faintly as they scanned the area, landing on Ash and Kael. 

The creature let out a guttural, ear-splitting roar, its jagged teeth glistening as it lunged forward. 

Ash barely had time to react before the creature's massive clawed hand struck him with enough force to send him flying across the field. He tumbled across the ground, rolling several yards before coming to a stop. Kael immediately snarled, her aura flaring as she darted toward Ash's side. 

Ash groaned as he pushed himself up, rubbing his ribs. "Okay, I felt that," he muttered, shaking his head. He glanced over at Kael, who was already in a defensive stance, her eyes locked on the creature. 

"Guess we're not getting a quiet night after all," Ash said with a grin. "Come on, Kael, let's have some fun." 

The creature roared again, its eyes narrowing as it prepared to attack once more. But this time, Ash was ready. He gathered his Ki, his purple aura flaring to life as he planted his feet firmly in the ground. 

The creature lunged at him, swiping with its massive claws. Ash dodged to the side, moving with speed and precision, but the creature was relentless. It swung again, trying to crush him under its weight, but Kael was faster. 

Kael leaped at the creature, her jaws snapping down on its leg with a powerful bite. The creature screeched in pain, trying to shake her off, but Kael held firm, her strength surprising even Ash. She darted around the creature, moving too quickly for it to land a solid hit. 

Ash couldn't help but laugh, despite the situation. "You're making this too easy, Kael!" he called out, dodging another swipe from the creature. 

Kael barked in response, releasing the creature's leg and darting back to Ash's side. Her aura flared, matching Ash's energy as they stood side by side, facing down the massive amphibian. 

The creature let out another roar, charging at them with all its might. But Ash's confidence had only grown. He dodged the creature's attacks with ease, launching bursts of Ki at its body, each blast causing shockwaves that echoed across the field. 

"Come on, big guy!" Ash taunted, his grin widening. "You've got to do better than that!" 

Kael darted in again, slashing at the creature's legs with her claws, moving with blinding speed. The creature stumbled, struggling to keep up with their combined assault. Ash's punches sent shockwaves through its body, and Kael's bites and slashes only added to its frustration. 

Despite the creature's massive size and strength, it was clear that it was outmatched. Ash and Kael were taking it easy, almost toying with it as they dodged its attacks and struck back with precision. 

After several minutes of the back-and-forth battle, the creature finally seemed to realize it was outclassed. Its roars turned into pained whimpers, and it backed away slowly, its body heaving with exhaustion. 

Ash crossed his arms, his grin never fading. "Looks like you've had enough," he said. "Maybe next time, don't pick a fight with the wrong people."