The alpha wolf pounced on them with a howl. They immediately scattered and it landed right where they stood a few seconds ago. It glared at the group.
"Looks like the alpha's mad.", Justin noted.
"Jeez Justin. We just slaughtered almost the entire pack. Of course, it's gonna be mad at us!", Arthur said, eyeing the giant wolf.
The alpha was different from the other wolves. It was much larger, almost 10 feet. It had bluish-grey fur with mini lightning coming off.
Its fangs are longer than daggers and its presence is extremely strong.
Every being radiate magia outwards. This radiated magia is known as the presence of a being.
The more powerful a being is, the more powerful the presence. But some suppress their presence so it is not an accurate measurement of strength.
The alpha tensed its legs and rushed towards them.
Stella thrust out her hand,{Plant Code: Strangling Vines}, thick vines erupted from the ground and wrapped around its legs, stopping the alpha, but not for long.
With a bay, it ripped apart the vines and pounced at a surprised Stella.
"Oh no you don't.", Justin infused magia in his gauntlets and punched the wolf. It slid to the side but it seemed more annoyed than harmed. Unfortunately, its attention is now on Justin.
"Oh, shit.", Justin shouted. He jumped back to dodge the razor-sharp claws of the alpha.
{Beast Code: Lion Claws}, his hands became the paws of a lion with sharp claws. He intercepted one of the alpha's strikes but was thrown at a tree by the force of the attack. "That hurts you overgrown puppy!", he yelled.
Apparently, the alpha didn't like to be called a puppy. With a growl, it jumped at Justin with bared fangs. Suddenly Arthur appeared from behind with Ghost in his hand.
"Night style second form: Phantom claws.", two blades of magia appeared on either side of his sword and the three blades struck the alpha's coat with a flurry of sparks.
He saw faint scratches among the fur which immediately healed up. He gritted his teeth, "Damn. Not even a dent", he said, landing near George, "What category is this thing?"
"I believe it to be high-level CAT 4 young master.", George said as he used Stone Fist which the alpha dodged. "This is going to be tough.", Arthur replied.
Suddenly the alpha stood still and opened its mouth. The air started crackling around them. A ball of lightning, much stronger than the previous one is forming in its mouth. It is a bigger electro ball.
Arthur quickly sensed the danger. Unlike the other one, this is more concentrated and powerful. One hit from that and it's game over. They cannot outrun it. So there is only one option.
"George! Make the strongest earth wall you have and Stella, use your vines to bring Justin over here and make a shield with your plant magia!", he shouted.
Both of them nodded.
Stella manipulated her vines. They wrapped around Justin's legs and pulled him towards them. "Gah! What are you doing Stella?", he yelled as his head bonked on a branch.
"Saving your ass.", she replied and put him behind George who already created the strongest earth wall he ever made. Stella closed her eyes, {Plant Code: Guardian trees}, huge trees with thick barks erupted from the ground around them.
"Everyone brace!", Arthur yelled as the alpha fired the electro ball at them. The ball hit the earth wall with tremendous force, cracking it. The cracks widened and soon the wall shattered.
The trees protecting them trembled as the electro ball hit them. "Those trees won't last.", George yelled. His magia orb glowed, {Earth Code: Layered Dome}, and multiple earthen shells started surrounding them. Everything went dark.
They heard a massive boom and the whole area shook. Then everything went quiet. "I think it's over.", Arthur sighed in relief. George and Stella passed out. They have used up a lot of magia.
"You think the alpha left?", Justin asked as he tried to listen outside. It was silent. "We don't know. And besides this dome would soon collapse.", Arthur replied.
No sooner than he said the dome collapsed. He turned around and his blood ran cold.
Staring back at him was the alpha. It is so close that Arthur could count the number of teeth in its mouth. 'Looks like I'll be between those teeth', he thought.
Justin is injured, and Stella and George used up their magia. They will not be able to do anything.
The alpha was about to clamp its jaws on Arthur's head when a flash caught its eye. It turned around a sword came out of nowhere and took out its right eye. The alpha howled in pain and backed away.
Arthur saw the alpha, which was going to snack on him jump back from an unknown adversary.
He looked and saw a young man in his mid-twenties. He had long black hair that faded to dark blue at the ends, icy blue eyes, and pale skin. He had a light blue sword in his hand.
"Hey, Arthur. Looks like you were in a pinch.", the newcomer smiled.
"Jack!", Arthur recognized him. The young man is Jack Raven, captain of the 23rd squad and used to be the youngest captain before Alice Night. He is also a family friend.
The alpha looked at the newcomer warily. It did not see that sword coming. This human is tough.
It opened its mouth and started to form another electro ball. "Oh no you don't.", Jack said as he swung his sword, {Water Code: Smooth Crescent}, a crescent-shaped ribbon of water cut the electro ball in half. It blew up in the alpha's mouth.
A howl of pain echoed in the forest. Steam hung in the air as the water evaporated due to the explosion. Arthur couldn't see anything. Suddenly the alpha came out of the steam, its lower jaw bloody and limp. A few teeth were missing too.
"That was a pretty powerful electro ball. But it's kinda rough. Allow me to show you", Jack said. He sheathed his sword and held out his hand.
{Lightning Code: Electro Ball}, electricity gathered on his palm and started spinning around to form a small orb of lightning. Despite the size, it's more powerful than the one the alpha created.
"He has two attributes?!", Justin was surprised. Arthur nodded. Jack Raven isn't using an enchanted item. He was born with two attributes.
But there is a problem, "Um, Jack. Lightning attacks won't work on the alpha.", Arthur said.
Jack smacked his head with his free hand, "Oh yeah. I forgot", he dispelled the electro ball. "Now I'm annoyed. You made me waste a good electro ball. Time to end this", he told the wolf and swung his sword.
{Water Code: Rock Slicer}, a really thin ribbon of water went towards the alpha at sonic speed.
The alpha didn't even see it coming.
Jack stood over the decapitated head of the alpha. "That went well", he said cheerfully. Arthur and Justin were amazed. He easily dealt with a beast they were really struggling with. So this is a squad captain of the Cardinal Knights.
Arthur snapped out of his amazement, "What are you doing here Jack?", he asked.
"I came over to congratulate your sister. I felt your presence as I passed the Firal Woods and came over to say hi only to see a Spark wolf starting to munch on you", Jack replied.
"Oh. Then would you care to stay for dinner?", Arthur asked. "Sure.", Jack replied.
Three days ago. Alice became the Night Family Head in a ceremony attended by the Heads of the other Arken Families.
Even an elder from the branch Family was present for the occasion. This made Alice one of the youngest Heads among the Arken Families. John Night became her advisor.
Jack wasn't able to attend the ceremony due to a mission from his Family.
He is next in line as the Head of the Raven Family. They are the ruling Arken Family in Lunaria. Other Families living in the nation provide support for the ruling Family. In Lunaria, the Ravens are supported by the Night and Callen Families.
Soon Stella and George stirred. They were surprised to see Jack but after a quick explanation, they thanked Jack for his help. Stella was amazed to see a squad captain other than her cousin.
After resting and healing, they removed the coat of the dead alpha and loaded it into the carriage, which was miraculously untouched. Arthur was about to enter the carriage when he was stopped by Stella.
"What is the meaning of this?", he asked. "You're walking buddy. You got the less number of wolves.", Stella replied.
"We're still doing that?", Arthur complained. He was tired. Stella nodded, "A bet is still a bet. Now start walking." Arthur frowned.
Jack saw the exchange and asked, "You guys made a bet?"
Stella nodded, "The loser has to walk all the way to Night Manor.", she told him. Jack nodded in understanding. He smiled cheerfully and gave Arthur a thumbs up, "All the best Arth."
"Not you too.", Arthur groaned. The others laughed. Justin poked his head out of the carriage, "Be sure to reach by dinner.", he laughed pleasantly. Arthur said some unflattering things under his breath.
Finally, Jack entered the carriage. George gave Arthur a scarf and a white light stone. These stones produce light when magia is supplied to them. The color of the stone determines the color of the light produced.
"Make sure you stay warm young master. I will inform your sister and ask Sophia to escort you when you reach the estate.", he bowed slightly and went to the front of the carriage.
He activated the horses and soon the carriage was moving. Arthur looked on as the carriage disappeared around the bend. He sighed and looked back at the skinned corpse of the alpha.
'I need to get away from here before other beasts come out for an easy meal.', He thought and looked at the sky. The sun was almost setting. He should get started.
"Well. A walk in the woods wouldn't be so bad.", he said optimistically. He donned the scarf and started walking.