Gathering your mystical energy, you focus on creating an illusion of the most fearsome predator in these woods - the ancient mountain oni said to dwell in the highest peaks. Your tails flare as golden mist swirls around you, forming into a hulking figure with glowing red eyes and jagged black horns. The illusion lets out a deafening roar that shakes the trees, sending leaves fluttering down around the clearing.

The shadow creatures freeze, their many limbs trembling as their yellow eyes dart about in panic. For a moment, it seems your ruse has worked - they begin backing away toward the tear in the barrier, their chittering voices rising in alarm. But then one particularly bold creature sniffs the air, its elongated neck stretching toward your hiding place. It lets out a sharp, screeching laugh that makes your fur stand on end.

With horrifying speed, the creatures surge forward, not away from your illusion but toward you. They see through the deception, their too-many limbs carrying them across the scorched earth in skittering movements. You barely have time to dodge as the lead creature swipes at you with claws like broken glass. The scent of burning fur fills your nose as one of your tails is grazed by dark energy.

In the chaos, you notice something alarming - your illusion hasn't completely failed. The golden mist has taken on a life of its own, swirling into the form of a great fox made of fire that stands between you and the creatures. It wasn't part of your plan, but the manifestation seems to give the shadow beings pause. Their yellow eyes flicker uncertainly between you and the fiery guardian.