From deep within the forest, a familiar pulse of energy surged like a wave crashing through his soul. It was warm, fierce, and divine.

Garu (thinking): This... this power... it's Adir.

His body glowed faintly as the energy seeped into him. The wounds on his chest slowly closed, leaving only faint scars. His claws shimmered, lengthening into gleaming blades of light. His heartbeat quickened—not from fear, but from power surging within.

Garu (whispering): “Adir… I feel you. You're awakening, aren't you?”

He clenched his fists, now glowing with a faint blue aura.

Garu (shouting): “Thanks, Adir! I won’t let your power go to waste!”

A low rumble echoed in his chest, growing into a mighty roar that shook the battlefield.

Garu: “NOW YOU’LL SEE WHAT I CAN REALLY DO!”

Rhino, watching with narrowed eyes, scoffed.

Rhino: “Healed too soon. So you got a little gift from your friend. Cute. But that won’t change anything. Your claws didn’t even scratch me before.”

He smirked and took a threatening step forward.

Rhino (mocking): “Come on, try again. Maybe this time you'll tickle.”

But Garu was already moving—faster than before, his form a blur of speed and force. He slammed into Rhino with such power that the hybrid beast staggered backward, eyes wide in disbelief.

Rhino (grunting): “What the—?!”

Before he could recover, Garu spun low, slicing across Rhino's armor with his sharpened claws. Sparks flew. For the first time, the thick hide cracked.

Garu (grinning): “Not so tough now, are you?”

Rhino (growling): “Impossible! You—what did you DO?!”

Garu: “You’re not just fighting me anymore. You’re fighting the will of a god awakening. I don’t even know what this new strength is yet... but I’m going to enjoy finding out.”

With another roar, Garu launched into the air, his wings bursting out, cloaked in radiant energy. The sky echoed with his fury as he prepared to strike again—faster, stronger, divine.

Garu dove from the sky like a thunderbolt, claws extended. Rhino barely raised his arms in time to block the strike. The force sent tremors through the ground and cracked nearby stones.

Rhino (gritting his teeth): “You’ve gotten stronger… but strength without control is just noise!”

He grabbed Garu mid-air and slammed him into the ground with a thunderous crash. Dust and dirt exploded upward.

Garu (coughing): “Ugh—!”

Before Garu could recover, Rhino charged, his massive horn glowing with crimson energy. He rammed into Garu, sending him skidding across the battlefield like a broken kite.

Rhino (taunting): “Feel that? That’s real power. You got lucky with your little healing trick.”

Garu groaned, trying to stand. His body ached. The energy from Adir was still inside him—but wild, surging, like a storm he hadn’t yet learned to steer.

Garu (to himself): “Come on… focus. This power… it's not just brute force. It’s purpose. Adir gave it to me for a reason.”

He closed his eyes for a moment, even as Rhino thundered closer.

He heard a voice. Not spoken—but felt.

Adir’s voice (within): Garu… trust your instincts. Let the energy flow. Don’t force it. Become it.

Garu opened his eyes—calm now. The light around him steadied, forming patterns across his feathers and arms, like sacred markings.

Garu (softly): “Alright. Let’s end this.”

As Rhino charged with a savage roar, Garu waited. Then—at the perfect moment—he moved. Effortless. A step aside. A pivot. A strike. His claw slashed across Rhino’s side, deep and glowing.

Rhino bellowed in pain. He spun, trying to crush Garu with his massive fists—but Garu was already behind him, delivering a flurry of strikes to the joints of Rhino’s armor.

Rhino (snarling): “STOP MOVING!”

He lashed out blindly, smashing trees and stones—but Garu was too fast, too precise.

Finally, Garu leapt high into the air. The sky behind him was golden with the rising sun. Wings outstretched, energy coiling around him like a cyclone.

Garu (roaring): “This is for everyone you hurt!”

He dived, both claws forward, spiraling with force. He struck Rhino square in the chest.

BOOM!

The ground cratered beneath them. Dust covered the scene.

When it settled, Garu stood—panting, bruised, but victorious. Rhino lay unconscious beneath him, armor shattered, his body motionless.

Garu dropped to one knee, exhausted.

Garu (smiling faintly): “Adir… we did it.”

Far away in the dense, whispering forest, Adir let out a breath of relief, energy flickering faintly around him like dying embers.

Adir (panting, eyes wide): “Garu... you did it.”

Both warriors, bloodied and bruised, sprinted toward the distant lights of the tribal hospital, the wind roaring in their ears like thunderous drums.

Back in the tribe, Vani knelt within the sacred ritual circle, surrounded by candles and ancient herbs. Her hands trembled as she drew sacred symbols with trembling fingers, her chants thick with desperation.

Vani (murmuring): “O spirits... reveal the cure... lend me your wisdom…”

But once again, the ritual faltered.

The circle dimmed.

The ingredients scattered slightly out of alignment.

A deep pain shot through her skull—her nose bled, a sign that her power was depleting dangerously.

She gasped but refused to stop.

Vani (through clenched teeth): “Again. I must try again…”

She centered herself—this time entering a heightened state of awareness.

Suddenly, a vision burst into her mind—a radiant blue light, speaking in a voice like wind through crystal leaves.

Vision (ethereal voice):

 “To destroy the venom, you must carry its source.

 Hold the blood of the scorpion in your hand,

 and blend it with the Blue Lily from the Lost Snake Island.

 Only then will healing bloom.”

She gasped as the vision faded. Her eyes widened with new purpose.

She wiped the blood from her face and bolted toward the hospital.

At the hospital gates, Adir and Garu stood covered in blood, barely able to stand. They turned as Vani approached, glowing faintly with renewed purpose.

Adir (voice cracking, on the verge of sobbing):

 “Vani! Did you—did you find it? The doctors said… the venom is almost at her heart… if it reaches… she’s gone. My mom… she only has 30 minutes. Please, Vani… I’m begging you…”

Vani (weak but determined):

 “Yes… I found the answer.”

Adir’s eyes lit up with desperate hope.

Vani (continuing, solemn):

 “But we need the blood of the scorpion… and the Blue Lily hidden deep inside Snake Island. Only with both can we heal her. Can you get them?”

Adir (face falling, panicked):

 “I—I killed the scorpion… but its body… it’s sunk in the mud. It’s gone!”

 He clutched his head, gasping, pacing in helpless circles.

 “What should I do? HOW can I save her now?”

 His voice broke as tears streamed down his face.

Garu stepped forward, placing a firm, comforting hand on Adir’s shoulder.

Garu (calm, fierce):

 “You go to Snake Island. You have the speed. I’ll get the scorpion’s blood. I won’t let you do this alone.”

Adir looked into Garu’s eyes—burning with determination. He nodded, voice choking in his throat.

Adir: “Let’s save her. Let’s save them all.”

In a flash of light, both vanished—one to the jungle, one to the mountains.

Garu landed with a heavy thud in front of the swampy battlefield. The muddy earth still reeked of death. He scanned the ground, wings unfurled, eyes locked on the murky waters.

Garu (to himself): “Come on… where are you…?”

With a roar, he dove forward, slicing through mud with his razor-sharp wings. Clumps of dirt and grass flew into the air.

Strike after strike, the ground trembled.

Finally—a flash of black.

A clawed hand poked out from the sludge.

Garu (with fierce relief): “Got you.”

He grabbed the scorpion’s body, dragging it free from its earthy grave. His claws pierced the hard shell, extracting the black, glowing blood.

Meanwhile, at the base of Snake Island, Adir faced dozens of slithering serpents.

Adir (urgent, pleading): “Please! I need the Blue Lily! My mother is dying—our people are dying!”

The snakes hissed and coiled uneasily.

Snakes (whispering as one):

 “We have not seen the Lily in decades… It may be lost forever.”

Adir’s heart sank.

His knees buckled.

Adir (whispering to himself, hopeless): “No… no, I can’t fail her. Not now…”

Suddenly, an ancient snake slithered forward, scales like faded moonlight.

Old Snake (gravelly, wise):

 “The others do not remember, but I do. Deep inside this mountain lies the Blue Lake—where the lilies bloom. But beware…”

Adir looked up, eyes wide.

Old Snake (stern):

 “It lies beneath lava. The lake glows with poison. No ordinary being may touch it. Only one with a pure purpose... or a strong enough will... can survive it.”

Adir clenched his fists, jaw trembling—but he straightened.

Adir (firm, voice burning):

 “Then I’ll find it. I’ll bring it back—even if it costs me everything.”