The dense canopy of the Northern Forest filtered the sunlight, casting a kaleidoscope of shadows across the forest floor. Two figures moved swiftly through the underbrush, their horses’ hooves muffled by the soft earth.

  The blonde man’s horse was a sturdy brown steed, its muscur frame moving with purpose. He sat atop it with ease, his dark clothing and weathered sword strapped to his side giving him the air of a seasoned adventurer. His blue eyes scanned the forest ahead, sharp and calcuting, while his disheveled hair occasionally caught the light.

  Beside him rode a woman with auburn hair that cascaded in loose waves down her back. Her white horse was elegant, its coat gleaming against the forest’s muted greens and browns. She wore a crisp white shirt under a dark green short jumpsuit, and her white stockings ended just below her knees, leaving her tanned thighs exposed. On her left thigh was a sun, and on her right, a crescent moon, intricate markings that seemed almost alive in the faint light. Her slightly bronzed skin glowed with health, a stark contrast to the man’s paler complexion.

  “Lucas,” the woman said, her voice soft but ced with impatience. “How long until we get there? I can’t wait anymore to meet her.”

  The blonde man exhaled sharply, brushing a hand through his unruly hair. “Lea, did you forget what I told you? We’re heading to her vilge after I kill that fucking Wyvern. I have already found where it is, I just need to kill it now.” His tone was edged with irritation, though the glint in his eye betrayed a touch of amusement.

  Lea sighed dramatically, her lips forming a pyful pout. “You know it won’t take you that long to—” She stopped mid-sentence, her pyful demeanor shifting into something more serious. Her gaze narrowed as she tilted her head slightly, as though listening to something only she could hear.

  “Lucas,” she said, her voice urgent now. “I sense someone, a normal person, in danger.”

  Lucas straightened in his saddle, his hand instinctively brushing against the hilt of his sword. “How many?” he asked, his voice calm but firm.

  Lea’s eyes fluttered closed for a brief moment before opening again. “Two... no, three beasts... and one monster.”

  “Which direction?” Lucas asked immediately, his demeanor shifting into that of a man ready for battle.

  Lea raised a hand, pointing northwest, her expression resolute. “There.”

  Without hesitation, Lucas gave a sharp command to his horse, and the brown steed surged forward. Lea followed close behind, her white horse moving with equal urgency. The forest blurred around them as they raced toward the source of the danger, their movements swift and practiced, like a pair who had long understood the rhythm of working together.***

  Kyle sat cross-legged on the dry grass, his back resting lightly against a tree trunk. The dagger in his hand burned with an ethereal blue fme, crackling softly as it roasted the fish skewered above it. Despite the unnatural fire, the fish cooked evenly, releasing a savory aroma that filled the humid air. Nearby, his horse, Shadow, grazed zily, its dark coat shimmering under the intense afternoon sun. A gentle stream trickled a few meters away, the water sparkling like a thousand diamonds.

  The heat was stifling, the sun gring down from its zenith. Kyle wiped a bead of sweat from his brow and let out a tired sigh. It had been three days since the alleyway in Fenwick, three days since he’d killed those two soldiers. Yet, as he sat there, he felt no pang of guilt, no stirring of remorse. Their deaths weighed on him as much as the breeze, light and fleeting.

  He had lingered in Fenwick for another day, long enough to hear rumors of the investigation into the soldiers’ deaths. There had been no sign of Albert, though. Whether the man had left the town or was simply avoiding him, Kyle couldn’t be sure. The next morning, he had mounted Shadow and headed east, toward the Count’s estate in Missileworth City, deep in the heart of Fairburn County.

  The journey had been uneventful so far. At night, he found shelter in a small vilge along the route; by day, he rode through the woods under the oppressive summer sun. There had been no Monsters yet, just a few wild Beasts he had wisely avoided. But as the city drew closer, so did the weight of uncertainty. He didn’t know how he would approach the Count, let alone convince him to meet. But he had to try.

  As he finished the st bite of his meal, Kyle doused the fme on his dagger with a flick of his wrist, the enchanted fire snuffing out in an instant. He stood and stretched, letting out a low groan as he prepared to saddle up. That’s when he heard it.

  A growl.

  Kyle froze. His eyes darted toward the treeline, and the growl came again, this time from another direction. Slowly, he scanned his surroundings, his hand tightening around his dagger's hilt. Emerging from the underbrush were three horned wolves. Their muscur frames were covered in gray fur, and their single, sharp horns glinted menacingly in the sunlight.

  Kyle cursed under his breath. 'Just Beasts,' he thought. 'I can outrun them if I make enough distance.' He gnced toward Shadow, who had already sensed the danger, ears pinned back and nostrils fring.

  Then another growl pierced the air, deeper and more menacing than the others. Kyle’s blood ran cold as a rger figure stepped into view. It was another wolf, but this one was different, its sleek body was adorned with two twisted horns that curved outward before coiling into a deadly spiral.

  A twin-horned wolf.

  A Monster.

  The horned wolves moved like shadows through the underbrush, their sleek forms blending seamlessly with the dense forest. Each of the three normal horned wolves was as rge as a grown man, their fur a mottled gray and bck that made them difficult to spot amidst the shadows. Their single, twisted horns glinted in the dappled sunlight, razor-sharp and pointed forward like a charging nce. Their growls were low and guttural, their yellow eyes glowing with a feral hunger.

  But it was the twin-horned wolf that sent a chill down Kyle’s spine. It stood taller than the others, its fur a deep, shimmering silver that seemed to crackle with tent energy. Its two horns curved outward from its head, then spiraled back toward each other in an intricate twist that pulsed faintly with a blue glow. Sparks of electricity danced between the tips of its horns, crackling in the humid air like a brewing thunderstorm. Its eyes were a piercing blue, filled with a cruel intelligence that made it clear this was no ordinary beast. This was a monster.

  Kyle exhaled slowly, gripping the hilt of his dagger tightly. The eerie purple-blue fmes of the weapon flickered ominously, casting ghostly shadows on his bloodied face. He took a step back, assessing his surroundings. The forest offered little comfort, tall trees and scattered bushes provided some cover, but the wolves were quick, and the twin-horned wolf’s electricity would make it dangerous to remain exposed for too long.

  The wolves began to circle him, growling in unison. The twin-horned wolf stayed back, its horns crackling louder as if preparing an attack.

  His mind raced, his eyes darting between the pack. ‘Focus on the smaller ones first,’ he thought grimly. ‘I can’t deal with that monster until they’re out of the way.’

  With a burst of speed, one of the horned wolves lunged at him, its jaws snapping dangerously close. Kyle sidestepped, thrusting his dagger upward in a quick, precise motion. The ghostly fmes burned through the wolf’s flesh, and it howled in agony, colpsing to the ground.

  The other two normal wolves didn’t hesitate. They charged at him simultaneously, one from the left and one from the right. Kyle dove into a roll, narrowly avoiding their attacks. He scrambled to his feet, his back now against a rge tree.

  That’s when the twin-horned wolf struck.

  A bolt of lightning shot from its horns, searing through the air with a deafening crack. Kyle dove to the side just in time, the bolt hitting the tree behind him and splitting it in half. Splinters rained down around him as the tree colpsed with a thunderous crash.

  Kyle didn’t have time to catch his breath. The wolves were relentless.

  The first wolf charged, jaws snapping. Kyle sidestepped, bringing his dagger down in a sharp arc. The bde sshed through the wolf’s shoulder, searing its flesh with enchanted fire. It yelped and retreated, but another wolf immediately lunged at his fnk. Kyle turned just in time to block with his forearm. Pain nced through him as its cws tore through his sleeve, shallow wounds staining his arm red.

  He gritted his teeth and kicked the beast away, but the third wolf came at him from the front. This time, Kyle was too slow. Its horn grazed his shoulder, ripping his sleeve and leaving a shallow cut. The impact spun him off-bance, and he stumbled back.

  Kyle clenched his jaw and forced himself upright. His breathing was bored, and his legs ached from the relentless movement. One of the wolves darted forward again, snapping at his heels. Kyle swung his dagger wildly, catching it across the snout. It whimpered and backed away, but the reprieve was short-lived. Another wolf pounced, its jaws cmping down on his leg.

  Kyle shouted in pain as he drove his dagger into the wolf’s neck. The fmes hissed as they burned through fur and flesh, and the beast colpsed with a final gurgle. He barely had time to recover before the st wolf lunged at him. He ducked low, spinning away, and sshed across its fnk. The beast yelped and crumpled, its movements growing sluggish before it fell still.

  Kyle stood there, panting, his body trembling from the effort. Blood dripped from his wounds, soaking into the dirt. He gnced at the three fallen wolves, their bodies smoking from the enchanted fmes. ‘Barely made it,’ he thought grimly.

  Then, a low, resonant growl brought his attention forward. The twin-horned wolf stepped into the clearing, its horns sparking violently. Blue arcs of electricity danced between them, the air buzzing with raw energy. Kyle tightened his grip on his dagger, the fire still flickering faintly.

  Before he could make a move, the wolf unleashed a bolt of lightning. Kyle dove behind a nearby tree, the bst splitting the trunk in half. Splinters rained down as the tree toppled, exposing him. He rolled to the side, but the wolf was relentless. Another bolt struck the ground near him, throwing him off his feet. The static in the air made his skin prickle, his movements sluggish.

  Kyle pushed himself up, his chest heaving. He darted behind another tree, but the wolf’s keen eyes followed his every move. It prowled closer, its growl deepening as sparks danced along its horns. Another bolt came hurtling toward him, and this time, it struck just inches away. The force sent him sprawling, his dagger slipping from his hand.

  Scrambling, Kyle grabbed the dagger and swung it in desperation as the wolf lunged at him. The bde grazed its side, but the monster barely flinched. Its cws raked across his chest, tearing through fabric and skin. He stumbled back, his body screaming in pain, his vision blurring from the blood running down his face.

  Kyle ducked behind a boulder, gasping for breath. His mind raced. ‘I can’t fight this thing. Not like this.’ His grip on the dagger tightened, but his body refused to cooperate. His muscles ached, his wounds stinging with every movement.

  The twin-horned wolf prowled closer, its horns glowing brighter. The air grew thick with static, the hair on Kyle’s arms standing on end. It unleashed another bolt, and this time, the bst sent him flying. He hit the ground hard, coughing as blood dripped from his mouth. His vision wavered, the edges darkening.

  The monster stood over him now, its blue eyes gleaming with triumph. Sparks danced along its horns as it prepared the killing blow.

  But just before it could strike, the sound of galloping hooves echoed through the forest. A powerful gust of wind swept through the clearing, rustling the trees. The twin-horned wolf hesitated, its ears swiveling toward the noise.

  Two figures burst into view, one riding a brown horse, the other a white. The blonde-haired man leapt from his mount, his sword gleaming in the sunlight. The auburn-haired woman dismounted gracefully beside him, her eyes glowing faintly with emerald light.

  The twin-horned wolf growled, turning to face the newcomers. Kyle blinked up at them, his mind clouded with confusion and relief as consciousness slipped away. Darkness consumed him.***Kyle’s eyes fluttered open to the dimming light of the sun filtering through the forest canopy. The sky above was painted in hues of warm yellow and deepening orange, the sun hovering just above the horizon.

  But the sharp cold against his cheek erased any notion of peace.

  Kyle’s gaze shifted, and he froze. A gleaming bde rested against his cheek, its edge dangerously close to drawing more blood.

  The blonde man loomed over him, his blue eyes glinting with quiet menace. Dressed in dark clothing, his disheveled hair caught the fading sunlight, giving him an almost otherworldly aura. A thin cut marred Kyle’s cheek where the bde pressed, a crimson bead trailing down to his jaw.

  Kyle’s breath hitched as the man’s lips curled into a faint smile, though there was no warmth in it, only calcuted intent.

  “Your eyes…” the man murmured, his voice calm yet weighted with an unsettling authority. “The eyes of a cornered wolf—bloodied, beaten, but still waiting to strike.”

  The words slithered into Kyle’s ears, sending a chill down his spine. The man’s tone carried no malice, but the precision of his observation cut deeper than the bde itself. His faint smile didn’t reach his piercing blue eyes, which seemed to dissect Kyle with each passing second.

  “I like them,” He continued.

  Kyle parted his lips to speak, but the bde pressed tighter against his cheek, silencing him with its cold finality.

  “Now,” the man said, his voice dropping to a deadly calm, “tell me, where did you get that dagger? And where did you learn to swing it like that?” his voice was low, the kind of calm that promised violence.

  The words hung in the air like a death sentence, and Kyle’s blood ran cold as the man leaned in closer, his sword unwavering.

  Kyle swallowed hard, the edge of the bde biting into his skin.

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