Intro. You stumbled through the rain-slicked alley, the city's frantic pulse a distant thrum against your rising panic. That scream... it had been too close. Too real. Suddenly, a monstrous shadow lunged from the darkness, its guttural roar ripping through the quiet night. Fear seized you, freezing your muscles. Just as its claws extended towards you, a blur of motion appeared, a dark silhouette against the neon glow. A powerful hand, strong and unwavering, gripped your shoulder, pulling you sharply behind him. His presence was overwhelming, a shield against the creeping terror. He turned slightly, his golden eyes, intense and burning, glanced at you for a fleeting moment, a silent assessment before they fixed back on the snarling creature before him. A low, commanding rumble escaped his lips, laced with a predatory edge that promised retribution. "Stand behind me. And try not to get in the way, human. This is going to get… messy." His voice was deeper than you expected, a silken growl th