The dense foliage of the forest of Vantrea loomed around Damian as he moved swiftly through the underbrush, the scent of pine and earth filling his senses. His heart still pounded from the adrenaline of his escape, but his mind was focused on the task ahead—finding his uncle, Iver Moonclaw.Moonlight filtered through the canopy, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. The silence was broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant calls of nocturnal creatures. Damian's heightened senses picked up everything, making it both a blessing and a curse in the unfamiliar terrain.As he pushed deeper into the forest, the sound of raised voices reached his ears. Curiosity and caution propelled him forward, and soon he came upon a clearing where a disturbing scene unfolded. A group of human slavers had cornered several elves, their cruel laughter echoing in the night as they brandished whips and chains.The elves were a varied group, their silver hair shimmering in the moonlight, their delicate, sharp features marred by fear. Their eyes, large and expressive, were filled with a mix of defiance and terror. They wore simple, tattered clothes—remnants of what must have once been elegant attire."Please, let us go!" one of the elves cried, her voice trembling with fear. She had long, flowing hair and deep blue eyes that glistened with tears.Damian felt a surge of anger. Memories of his mother's gentle smile and his father's harsh decree mingled with the sight before him. Without thinking, he stepped into the clearing."Leave them alone!" he shouted, his voice resonating with an authority he didn't yet fully grasp.The slavers turned, momentarily taken aback by the sudden appearance of the young werewolf. They were rough-looking men, dressed in dirty, patched clothing. One of them, a burly man with a scar running down his cheek and greasy, unkempt hair, sneered at Damian."Who do you think you are, boy?" the scarred man taunted, advancing on Damian.Damian stood his ground, but his lack of physical strength quickly became apparent. The slaver struck him hard, sending him sprawling to the ground. Pain radiated through his body, but he refused to give up. Scrambling to his feet, he charged again, using his agility to dodge the slaver's blows.Despite his best efforts, the numbers were against him. One slaver grabbed him from behind, pinning his arms. Another delivered a vicious punch to his gut, knocking the wind out of him. Damian struggled, feeling the sting of failure creeping in.Just as he was about to be overwhelmed, a blur of motion streaked past him. An elf warrior, clad in leather armor and wielding a slender blade, engaged the slavers with a fury Damian had never seen before. The warrior had long, jet-black hair tied back in a braid and piercing green eyes that glinted with determination.With swift, precise strikes, the elf warrior cut down the slavers, his movements a deadly dance. He moved with an elegance and efficiency that left Damian in awe. Each slash of his blade was deliberate, every step calculated. Within minutes, the slavers were either dead or fleeing into the forest.The elf warrior turned to Damian, his piercing green eyes filled with both gratitude and scrutiny. "Thank you for trying to help," he said, extending a hand to Damian. "My name is Arin."Damian grasped Arin's hand and pulled himself up. "I'm Damian Savage. I was just—""Banished," Arin interrupted, nodding knowingly. "Word travels fast in these woods. You're looking for Iver Moonclaw, aren't you?"Damian nodded, surprised at how much this stranger knew. "Yes. Can you help me find him?"Arin smiled, revealing sharp canines. "Follow me. I'll take you to him. But be prepared, Damian. The journey is not an easy one, and Iver is not a man to be trifled with."As they ventured deeper into the forest, Arin shared stories of Iver's legendary prowess and the hardships the elves faced under the oppressive rule of vampires and humans. Damian listened, absorbing every detail, his resolve hardening with each step.They faced natural obstacles and a dangerous encounter with a roaming Beastkin—a towering creature with a lion's mane and the body of a bear. The Beastkin's golden eyes glinted with malice as it charged. Arin and Damian fought side by side, combining their skills to bring down the beast. Arin's blade flashed, cutting deep, while Damian used his agility to dodge and strike at vulnerable spots.Finally, after what felt like hours, they arrived at a secluded clearing, where a small, fortified camp was nestled among the trees. The camp was well-hidden, surrounded by a natural barrier of thick foliage and towering trees."Wait here," Arin instructed, disappearing into the camp. Damian waited, his anticipation growing.When Arin returned, he was accompanied by a tall, imposing figure with silver hair and eyes that seemed to see straight through Damian. Iver Moonclaw's appearance was striking—his hair, a cascade of silver, fell to his shoulders, and his eyes, a vivid blue, held a twinkle of mischief and wisdom. He was dressed in simple, yet well-made clothing: a loose, dark tunic and sturdy leather pants. A relaxed smile played on his lips as he approached."So, you're the one causing all this trouble," Iver said, his voice a deep, rumbling baritone. "Why should I train you?"Damian met his uncle's gaze, feeling the weight of the pendant in his hand. "Because I want to stop my father. I want to end his tyranny."Iver studied him for a long moment before chuckling softly. "You've got spirit, kid. I like that. But training with me isn't going to be a walk in the park. You ready for that?"Damian nodded, his resolve unshakable. "I am.""Alright then," Iver said with a laid-back grin, clapping Damian on the shoulder. "Welcome to your new life. We start training at dawn. Tonight, get some rest. You're going to need it."Arin showed Damian to a small tent within the camp, where he could rest and recover. As he lay down on the simple bedroll, exhaustion finally caught up with him. His thoughts swirled with the events of the day and the challenges that lay ahead.Despite the uncertainty of his future, a new sense of purpose filled Damian. With Iver's guidance, he would become strong enough to challenge his father and reclaim his rightful place. He closed his eyes, the sounds of the forest lulling him into a deep sleep, his journey just beginning.