It’s been rough of late. For some reason, having five young ones was becoming harder, especially with this scent—different, yet not welcomed.

  Nyrraks have an odor; it isn't strong to humans, but it is easy to read for their own kind. Yet, for some reason, Alph was here, perched on a branch, sniffing at this atrocity happening in her Kingdom. This was no Nyrrak. No Nyrrak would dare step in here, especially not without her consent. It was different with her mother, who received this part of the Veilwood from her mate; back then, it wasn’t this big. Alph knew this as she rubbed her fur against the trees, trying to mask the unwanted scent.

  Highly territorial creatures—that was the Nyrrak way of life. Males usually controlled most territories, but Alph quickly realized she was bigger than most. Even if some were on her level, they didn't have her attributes. If they did, then her mate would have been in total control, but males tend to be cocky. They would kill cubs at will, so Alph had chased hers away. After all, it wasn’t like she couldn’t run things without help.

  She was rounding things up. The children were becoming energetic, but she had left food; they should be busy fighting amongst themselves while she took a stroll.

  The breeze was the usual, her fur moving with the wind—that was, until she caught it again. Nothing was usual when the scent became this strong. Her jog increased, ears rotating to catch every sound while her dark eyes scanned the surroundings. She sniffed through the air, switching movements when necessary until she took a final right. The scent was just further away, too strong to ignore.

  It was mid-afternoon. The sun always fought a war to reach the ground through these long trees, but Alph saw them: three white creatures chasing each other around. They weren't as big as she was, but they were sizeable—perhaps as big as other Nyrraks, or just slightly smaller.

  Land creatures were always the problem, perhaps in her mother’s kingdom, but not in hers. Her claws were out as she sank behind the trees, stalking them, moving only when they were occupied in their play. One of them moved in close, just four to five good leaps away, while the others continued their game.

  They were too young. Not that Alph was particularly old herself, but it was a lesson she had learned after watching her mother be killed: there is no peace in another creature’s kingdom. This one didn’t know that.

  Alph leaped. The five-leap distance reduced to three. By the time the other two realized what was happening, Alph was staring at them, the grass flattened and ready to soak up the blood she had just donated to the earth. Two wrongs might make one right. All swallowed, just that Alph had this metallic taste lingering in her mouth.

  Alph stepped on the fallen Duskwolf’s head and leaped again just as she saw another one make a run for it.

  It was a total chase down. The Duskwolf ran at its fastest, legs barely touching the ground, while Alph closed in, turning and drifting through the trees with precision. Her tail swung to balance her weight as she reduced the distance, the Duskwolf’s cries growing sharper every time it looked behind.

  There was a howl—short and fast—but before it could fully echo, Alph was on its tail. Her claws dug deep into the flesh, causing the Duskwolf to make a sharp, desperate turn, snapping at the wind. Alph simply leaned back before using her front legs to pierce through again. This time, the favor was returned by a dead Duskwolf; Alph was claiming the little life left in those struggles.

  It had been a bad plan. The Duskwolf knew that the moment it saw Alph charging at full speed. Luckily for the last one, the distance was just big enough, and the reply—yes, the reply was there. Another howl, this one stronger and with a much deeper bass, followed by two more.

  By the time the survivor looked back, the creature chasing it was gone, nowhere to be seen.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  There was no time to rest for Alph. She clearly remembered the base of that returned howl; it had once come close to where her babies were and even that wasn't the first time hearing it.

  Level-based intelligence: it wasn’t the first time Alph had chased intruders out. Duskwolves were one thing, but if Nyrraks retaliated by hurting anything of value, her experience told her the babies were in danger. She ran, using every bit of energy to get back.

  The forest became a blur. The trees moved faster and her leaps grew longer. She made a long journey short, and for good reason—she had an uninvited guest already there, trying to do something. This one was on high alert, clearly older, as it sprung away as soon as it caught a glimpse of her, fleeing for the trees.

  She called out to her young. Only four fit the call; one was bleeding from the right leg. Alph grabbed it gently by the upper neck. Luckily, she always kept her babies near Ben, even when he moved the way he did. It was only a short distance away. Now was a good time to introduce them to the family.

  “Hmmm, that’s a big Nyrrak,” Leon said, watching a silhouette pass through the forest in the distance.

  “Let’s go back. I don’t think—wait, did you say a big Nyrrak?” Azeya asked, before hearing a howl, followed by several more.

  “Hmmm, Duskwolves on this side?” Leon muttered.

  “Yes, that was the scent,” Azeya confirmed.

  “Yeah, let’s go. Looks like you're hungry,” Leon teased.

  “Wait, you think it’s because I’m hungry? Don’t forget I won. I’ll make you carry me,” Azeya said. Leon focused more intently, especially after the "I won" part.

  “Here,” Leon said, positioning himself to carry Azeya on his back.

  “Hey, careful, you are...”

  “I’m what? Come on, Leon, I’m what?” Azeya pressed after jumping onto his back.

  Leon hoisted her up. “I guess I’m also hungry. You are a light one, what did you think?” Leon asked, walking with her wrapped around him.

  “Alph!” Dakota called out, Ben and Sky noticing her arrival too.

  The barrier had been remade. At first, it was meant to only allow Ben, Sky, Dakota, and Tork, but now there was the addition of Alph—but not her children. That meant they had to be carried in. Alph snarled to keep the cubs from running back, sometimes grabbing one and handing it to Ben. Even Sky was involved, moving quickly to bring the injured one inside.

  “Come in,” Ben said. Alph stared at him for a moment. She turned to look back at the woods, but Ben grabbed her by the legs. “You are heavy, stop playing hard,” Ben said, dragging her back in.

  __________________

  “Brother, you just had to do something stupid,” he said, staring at the green head in front of him. “Mother... she liked you the most. I was the one who was lost, tortured to death, but you already took my place and you just had to get yourself killed.”

  He sighed, the weight of the moment pressing down. “Your death has brought me back to the beginning—an outcast in the eyes of my own people. My own kingdom feels like... I’m just searching for a way. I’ll go there , to the human side and kill them. I’ll avenge you, for our mother’s and my people’s sake.” He stopped as he heard footsteps approaching.

  ______________

  “Julien! Julien!” a man shouted, entering the guild headquarters, which looked more like a massive mansion.

  “Kent, are you the one shouting like that?” another man asked, appearing from behind.

  “Where is Julien?” Kent demanded.

  “Here. What is it, Kent?” Julien asked, walking in calmly.

  “Where is he?”

  “This again? I told you, the only way you're getting that answer is by beating it out of me,” Julien replied with a smile.

  Kent gripped the hilt of his sword, staring Julien down.

  “Oh, is that so?” Julien said, beginning to walk toward Kent. “You are their protector, and don’t forget—the more these buddies get hit, the more you feel it.” Julien stared at the four dark spots on the ground surrounding Kent.

  “I’m not a child, Julien.”

  “No, you just got... okay, do this. I need you to confront RUTI—someone by that name. He’s in the Sovereign Kingdoms. Do that, and I’ll talk,” Julien replied, before walking past Kent.

  “But...!” Kent started, turning around only to see the wind. “He’s gone.”

  “Yes, he’s been doing that more of late. It’s unlike him; makes one wonder,” another replied from the balcony above. “But when did you make it to Droskaal? The Empire is far from home.”

  “I’ve got roots here. But where has he gone?”

  “Hard to tell. Ah...”

  "He just said Sovereign Kingdoms, like the United Kingdoms of Kaelwyn. Damn, that’s far."

  .............

  “Osthera, my brother’s playground. But where are you, Leon? These fools are killing the innocent,” Julien said, standing atop a building in black clothes.

  “I hate...” Julien started.

  “You... what are you even doing with these people?” Leon asked. His hand was choking a woman whose green eyes were blinking rapidly, while another woman coughed hard a short distance away.

  “Now, I want everyone who couldn’t protect themselves back in here, I'll come get the rest later," 'especially these adventures, how do they lose to you.' Julien thought before continuing "I think you can see what would happen otherwise. Two days—I’ll be waiting,” Julien told her. “And don’t forget, I’m Julien Heart. I don’t make empty threats.”

  He walked away, heading toward the other lady. She squinted her eyes. “Leon...” she whispered, causing Julien to smile.

  “Tell me, where is my brother, and what’s your name?”

  “Vikki, please, I...” Vikki started, gasping for air.

  “Sorry. Yes—where is he, and how do you know him?”

  “I don’t know! He just asked me to do something, that’s all. I’m just an assassin!” Vikki said, speaking as fast as she could.

  “I believe you. Please, don’t go saying his name; I think he told you that,” Julien said. “Now Vikki, I need you to kill that lady who just beat you. It’s only fair as an assassin, right?”

  He pointed toward a house. “She is just some distance away. Use this route.”