It was New Year's Eve, and the Nian came down from the mountains. A hybrid of lion, ox, and unicorn, it was driven by a hunger for flesh and chaos. Year-Eater Maw. It stalked the riverbank, looking for a village to terrorize.
A Naga emerged from the dark water. The hooded cobra-deity glowed with the light of the gem in its forehead. Naga-mani Lure. It sought to mesmerize the beast before dragging it under.
"Go back to the hills," the Naga hissed, raising a hood of water. Monsoon Sovereignty.
The Decibel War
The Nian didn't like magic. It liked noise. It opened a mouth filled with serrated teeth and unleashed the Fear-Hollow Roar.
GRAAAAWWR!
The sound was a physical shockwave. It matched the intensity of a thousand firecrackers. The Naga's concentration shattered. The water wall collapsed. The Naga-mani gem flickered in confusion.
Seizing the moment, the Nian launched itself. Sea-to-Gate Surge.
It hit the Naga with the force of a battering ram. The serpent tried to coil, but the Nian was too heavy, too brutal. It pinned the Naga to the muddy bank, its horn piercing the scales. With a final, bone-crushing bite, the Year-Beast ended the fight, reminding the spirit that on this night, noise rules supreme.