Chapter 12 - Trapping

Erik, Liam, and Mia barely had a moment to catch their breath when they heard the crunching sound of snow under heavy feet.Turning their heads, they saw five more giant wolves advancing toward them. Their eyes gleamed with a fierce, predatory hunger, their muscles tensed with fury and bloodlust.Erik's heart raced as he took in the sight. There was no way they could take on all five of them at once even with their new power. The situation was bad, and they needed to act fast."RUN!" Erik shouted.Without hesitation, the trio turned and sprinted toward the nearest building, their breaths coming in rapid, visible puffs.The wolves let out bone-chilling howls and immediately launch themselves to chase them, their powerful limbs propelling them forward with terrifying speed.Erik, Liam, and Mia run toward the building. Their feet pounding against the snow-covered ground. The wolves closed in quickly, their growls growing louder and more menacing with each passing second.They reached the entrance of the campus building and threw the doors open, bursting inside just as the wolves lunged. The trio slammed the doors shut behind them and run.However, the wolves didn't slow down. With a ferocity that matched their size the wolves crashed through the doors and wall, splintering wood and shattering glass.The sound of destruction echoed through the building as Erik, Liam, and Mia sprinted down the hallway. The wolves were relentless, their powerful bodies tearing through obstacles in their path."Keep moving!" Erik yelled, his voice echoing in the corridors. "We need to find a place to hide or defend ourselves! They can't attack at once if we catch them in a chokehold!"Liam, still holding his bloodied axe, glanced over his shoulder. "That's a good idea.""If we can funnel them into a narrow corridor, they won't be able to use their combined strength to bust through walls. It'll force them to come at us one at a time."Liam and Mia exchanged glances, quickly understanding the logic. "It's risky. But it might be our best shot.""Exactly," Erik replied. "If we can control the fight, we have a chance."They quickly reviewed the layout of the building in their minds. Erik remembered a narrow corridor on the other side of the floor. "Follow me," he said.They had to move quickly."Here," Erik whispered, pointing to the narrow corridor. It was just wide enough for one person at a time, with sturdy walls on either side. "We'll make our stand here. Mia, you set up your runes to slow them down and protect us. Liam, you'll take the front with your axe. I'll back you up and attack them as strong as possible."Mia nodded and began tracing runes in the air, her hands glowing with magical energy. The runes formed a shimmering barrier at the entrance of the corridor and another layer of defensive runes around Liam."Urgh..." Mia grunted softly, feeling the a strange weight in her head.Liam's face was set in a hard expression, readied his axe. "Let's fucking do this," he said.The trio took their positions, bracing themselves for the onslaught. Moments later they heard the crash of another busted walls, followed by the thunderous footsteps of the wolves as they pursued their prey.The first wolf burst into the corridor, its eyes blazing with fury. It snarled and charged at Liam but Mia's runes flared to life, slowing its advance and enveloping Liam in a protective barrier.Liam met the wolf head-on, his axe swinging with berserker strength. The blade struck the wolf's shoulder and it howled in pain. Blood sprayed and the creature staggered back, hindered by the narrow space and the runes' magic.The other wolves is not able to advance because of the narrow wall.Erik who was standing just behind Liam, seized the opportunity. He darted forward and struck the wolf with his metal rod, targeting its legs to destabilize it. The wolf snarled and snapped at him, but the confined space made it difficult for the beast to maneuver.Another wolf attempted to force its way into the corridor, but the narrow chokehold prevented it from getting through. It growled and tried to push its way past its injured comrade, but the combined efforts of Liam's axe and Erik's rod kept it at bay."We've got them!" Erik shouted, feeling a surge of hope. "Keep at it!"Mia's hands moved in a blur, weaving more runes to reinforce their defenses and hinder the wolves' movements.The second wolf, frustrated by its inability to break through, tried to retreat and regroup. But Liam, seeing an opening, pressed the attack. His axe came down with brutal force, cutting deep into the first wolf's neck.The beast let out a gurgling whimper and collapsed, its lifeblood pooling on the floor. Erik sensing the moment, he moved in for the kill. He aimed his rod at the wolf's head and drove it in with all his might.The wolf convulsed violently as the rod pierced its brain, its eyes dimming as life drained away. Erik twisted the rod for good measure ensuring the beast was truly dead.Breathing heavily, Erik and Liam pulled back, preparing for the next wave. The remaining wolves, seeing the fate of their comrade, hesitated, their eyes flickering with a mix of rage and caution."They're wary now," Mia observed, her voice tense. "We can-"Suddenly, Mia dropped to the ground. Her body growing limp."Mia! What's wrong?!" Erik asked while kneeling beside her."I..." Mia is not even able to answer him.---