Shade of Teyvat: The Rapture of Shadows

2. The Lead Maccao

With each step, Viz and Caelum go deeper into the forest, the cold air hiting at their face. The landscape was white cover in snow. This was more than just a hunt; it more like a test of everything Viz had learned, a challenge to protect the people he cared in Hearthglen.

"Let's use some of the meat from my last hunt as bait," Viz suggested, his hands slightly trembling as he fumbled with the cloth-wrapped bundle. "It should draw the Maccao in, but we need to be quick and quiet."

Caelum nodded, brushing a few loose strands of hair from his face, his expression serious. "We'll place it in the center of the clearing and then hide behind those trees. If we stay low, we should be able to keep an eye on it."

As they prepared the bait, the weight of their mission settled heavily on Viz's shoulders. A simple hunt they say; Viz thinking it was more about protecting the village, home. After all preperation is dones, they both crouch down behind the thick trees, and with a pounding hearts waiting in anticaption.

Minutes going on, and each second feeling like an eternity. The forest was quiet too quiet, the kind of that made Viz aware of everything-the sound of leaves, the distant chirp of a bird, the gust of wind through the branches. Then, a sound broke the it all.

"Did you hear that?" Viz whispered, glancing at Caelum.

"Yeah," Caelum replied, his eyes widening with intensity. "Stay low. It's coming."

The Great Maccao emerged from the treeline, its powerful form moving with an unsettling grace. Its fur glimmered in the dappled sunlight, but its eyes were sharp and predatory. A mix of fear and exhilaration coursed through Viz as he tightened his grip on his sword.

"Now," Caelum urged, barely above a whisper.

Viz nodded, his heart racing as the Maccao approached the bait, sniffing the air. In a sudden burst of instinct, it lunged for the meat. They sprang into action.

"Over here, you beast!" Caelum shouted, darting to the side to draw the creature's attention.

The Maccao spun, its eyes narrowing as it focused on Caelum. Viz felt a surge of adrenaline, but the creature was quicker. It whipped around, its powerful tail striking out and sending Viz sprawling into the snow. He hit the ground hard, the wind knocked out of him. Dazed, he scrambled to his feet just in time to see Caelum barely avoid another swipe.

"Viz!" Caelum shouted, urgency in his voice. "We need to coordinate our strikes!"

Regaining his footing, Viz nodded, his heart racing. "Let's draw it toward the trees! We can use the terrain to our advantage!"

Caelum's expression turned serious. "I can use my Anemo powers to create a gust. It might confuse it for a moment. Just give me the signal."

They moved deeper into the forest, the tension thickening the air around them. The trees loomed overhead, their branches heavy with snow, casting long shadows. This was a hunt that felt bigger than them-a fight for their home, their people.

The Maccao charged again, a blur of fur and fury. Viz dodged its powerful swipe, adrenaline surging through him. "Keep it moving!" he shouted. "Don't let it corner us!"

The creature, realizing it was outnumbered, grew more aggressive, its eyes glinting with a mix of intelligence and rage. It charged once more, and Viz felt the rush of wind as it barreled toward him. He rolled to the side just in time, the beast's bulk crashing into a nearby tree, splintering bark and sending snow cascading down.