Ma on a Mythic Mission

Kang Ma had been tracking the beast for weeks. He had followed its trail through the forests and the villages of ancient China, never ceasing in his pursuit. The whispers and rumors of the creature continued to follow him, growing ever louder as the days went on. Finally, Ma found himself atop a great mountain, the rugged terrain leading to a cave said to hold the beast. Taking a deep breath, Ma steeled his nerves, taking with him only a knife, and entered. He made his way through the cave, the walls and floor shining in the dim light, a ghostly atmosphere befitting the mysterious creature. The farther he traveled into the depths, Ma found evidence of its passing - bones and fur scattered around, grisly reminders of its power. At last, he heard a deep growl rolling through the darkness, the sound almost audible to its core. He apprehensively moved forward and gazed into the large chamber, a cavern made to house formidable beasts. As the creature stepped into the light, Ma knew he was in trouble. It was a hulking combination of creatures part dragon, part tiger, and part snake. Its ferocity was tangible and its eyes bore down on Ma, calculating and menacing. For a moment, neither moved, merely observing one another. Knowing he had to be the one to make the first move, Ma lunged forward at it, thrusting his sword with the type of force he was famous for. The beast roared in pain, yet not before it faintly whispered, “The witch...beware...” Confused, Ma shook off the creature's warnings and gathered himself, glancing around him briefly to memorize the tunnel he had come through for a quick retreat if need be. As he began moving out, he expected the creature to come after him and was both relieved and disappointed to find it silent. Treading slowly and carefully, Ma turned a corner into a dark corner of the cave. Left of him, it opened up to a large, panoramic chamber with a massive door at the far end, knocked half off its hinges. When encountering the scene, Ma noticed a figure in the center, no doubt it was the witch. She had pale skin, long red hair and was garbed in flowing black robes, her cackle as she noticed him breaking the silence. "Ah, so you have bested the beast? Kudos to you, young Ma." Her wicked laugh filled the chamber, making Ma's heart sink with dread and caution. In an act of desperation, Ma formed an electric sphere in the palm of his hand and threw it at her, however, she merely dodged it and countered with a beam of her own. The battle was intense and grueling, the witch increasing her attacks in tandem to Ma's defences. Ma again and again reminding himself that he had to not give up, matching the wit's blows with equal, but faltering force. He soon found himself on the ground, inching closer and closer to defeat as her energy blasts racked his armor that much more. But, as all things in life, fire can work two ways; when it refused to burn out there was always a chance to counter it. His luck changed in a flash as the thought filled his head - acting on pure instinct, the drained Ma summoned a fiery wave at the witch's beam of energy and to his immense surprise, it wiped it out completely. The witch stood distracted for a moment, unable to muster up another blast and took it as his chance to act - with renewed energy, Ma was able to summon several more fiery blasts that smote the witch into a pile of dust. Breathing a tap relief, Ma made his way out of the mountain and glanced back at it one last time as the sun began to rise. It seemed to stand symbolically - a reminder that strength isn't measured in power alone, but in heart and determination too. With utter certainty he never have another adventure of such proportions, Ma descended the mountains and returned hero to his people in an overcoming defeat of the legendary beast.