The forest had always been a place of mystery for Torrack. The trees stretched endlessly into the sky, their branches creating a canopy that barely let sunlight through. Every corner seemed to hide some secret, and though the sounds of nature surrounded them—birds chirping, leaves rustling, the wind whispering through the trees—there was always a lingering sense of danger.
The days had turned into a blur for Torrack. He, Kaelith, and Lyra traveled together, hunting for food and finding shelter among the great oaks and pines. They worked well as a team—Kaelith with her magic, Torrack with his raw strength, and Lyra, providing her wisdom and insights when needed. The three of them shared meals, talked quietly about their journey, and discussed strategies for the challenges that lay ahead.
Yet, despite the companionship, Torrack felt a growing sense of loneliness. He was nearing the age of fourteen—the age when boys were considered men in most villages, when they were expected to take on more responsibilities, and when marriage and family became possibilities. Torrack had no one waiting for him, no special person to share his thoughts or dreams with. The ring on his finger, with Lyra inside, was his closest connection, and though she was a trusted friend, she wasn't... human. And Kaelith, despite their growing bond, was still someone he saw as more of a partner than a potential love interest.
He had begun to miss his old life. The Brotherhood had given him a sense of purpose, but it wasn't the same as having close relationships. He missed the simple pleasures of connecting with people, the conversations over a fire, the laughter and the teasing. As they traveled deeper into the forest, the silence between him and Kaelith felt heavier, and his mind wandered more and more to thoughts of what his life could be if he had someone to share it with.
The trees grew thicker as they continued, their path winding deeper into the heart of the forest. The dense underbrush made it difficult to move quickly, but they pressed on, determined to reach the next district and follow the map Malkor had given them. Torrack's thoughts were interrupted by a sudden scent on the breeze—smoke.
Kaelith noticed it too. She stopped walking, her nose twitching as she sniffed the air. "Do you smell that?" she asked, her voice low.
Torrack nodded, his senses sharpening. "Smoke. And metal... I can hear something." His head tilted slightly as he focused on the faint clanging of metal on metal. It was distant but unmistakable—the sound of a struggle.
Without another word, the two of them broke into a run, heading toward the source of the sound. Torrack's legs pumped beneath him, his heart racing not from fear but from anticipation. Something was happening up ahead, and whatever it was, they needed to be there. Kaelith ran beside him, her eyes scanning the treetops and the ground ahead for any sign of danger.
As they drew closer, the sound of the fight grew louder, and soon they could see smoke rising from the trees. Bursting through the last line of bushes, they came upon a clearing, and the scene before them made Torrack's blood run cold.
A young woman was fighting for her life against three wolf-like creatures. They were unlike any wolves Torrack had ever seen. Their fur was dark and matted, and their eyes glowed with a faint green light. They moved with a deadly grace, their snarls filling the air as they circled the woman. Each had a small green aura surrounding them—an indication of their connection to the forest. They were called Wolf Fangs, creatures known for their affinity with nature and their deadly, coordinated attacks.
Near the woman's feet lay a body, still and unmoving, blood pooling beneath it. Torrack didn't need to look twice to know that whoever it was, they were dead.
"Kaelith!" Torrack barked, already moving into action. Kaelith nodded, and without a second thought, she raised her hands, summoning her magic. The trees around them responded to her call, their branches reaching out like arms. One of the wolves, caught by surprise, was suddenly pinned to the ground as thick branches wrapped around its body, holding it in place.
Torrack dashed toward the second wolf, moving in a zigzag pattern to avoid being an easy target. His fists were clenched, ready to strike, and as he reached the creature, he brought his hands together in a hammer-like motion, smashing them down on the wolf's face. The blow landed with a sickening crunch, sending the wolf sprawling to the ground, dazed but not out.
That was when the other two wolves turned their attention to Torrack.
The first wolf lunged at him, its sharp teeth snapping inches from Torrack's throat. Torrack dodged to the side, but the second wolf was faster. It swiped at him with a clawed paw, and before Torrack could react, the blow landed squarely on his right side, sending him sprawling to the ground. Pain shot through him as he hit the earth hard, the wind knocked from his lungs.
"Torrack!" Kaelith shouted, her voice filled with urgency. She had managed to pin another wolf with her magic, but there was still one free, and it was coming for Torrack.
Torrack groaned as he pushed himself to his feet. His right side was bleeding, the cut deep but not deadly. Still, the pain was enough to slow him down. He could hear the last wolf circling him, its growl low and menacing.
"Kaelith!" he called out, his voice strained. "Tell me when it's attacking. I can't see the magic."
Kaelith's eyes flickered with concentration as she focused on the wolf. "Now, Torrack! It's coming from the right, front!"
Torrack turned just in time, raising his hands to block the incoming attack. His gloves absorbed the blow, the enchanted material shimmering as they absorbed the energy from the wolf's strike. Torrack gritted his teeth and pushed back, using the force of the magic to send the energy right back at the creature. The wolf yelped in surprise as the attack hit it square in the face, knocking it off its feet.
With a grunt of effort, Torrack pulled the dagger from his belt and lunged forward. The wolf was still reeling from the counterattack, and Torrack didn't waste the opportunity. He plunged the blade into the wolf's chest, the sharp steel sinking deep into the creature's flesh. The wolf let out a final, pitiful whine before falling still.
Kaelith had already taken care of the last wolf, her branches holding it securely in place. Torrack walked over, his breath coming in ragged gasps, and ended the creature's life with a swift strike to its heart. The forest fell silent once again, the only sound the crackling of the small fire in the distance.
Torrack wiped the sweat from his brow and sheathed his dagger. "Are you alright?" he asked Kaelith.
"I'm fine," she replied, her eyes scanning the area for any other threats. "But look."
Torrack followed her gaze and saw the young woman kneeling by the body of the man on the ground. Tears streamed down her face as she clutched his hand, her sobs shaking her small frame. Torrack approached slowly, unsure of what to say. He had seen death before, but it never got any easier.
"He was my father," the woman said through her tears, her voice barely above a whisper. "They killed him... they killed him..."
Torrack knelt beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry," he said quietly. "We tried to get here as fast as we could."
The woman wiped her eyes, sniffling as she looked up at him. "Thank you... for saving me. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't shown up."
Torrack nodded, his heart heavy with sympathy. He didn't know what to say to ease her pain, so he remained silent, offering her the comfort of his presence instead.
After a few moments, the woman stood, her legs trembling beneath her. She looked over at the carriage that sat nearby, its wheels half-buried in the dirt. "I need to bury him," she said softly. "But I don't know how... I don't have the strength."
"We'll help you," Kaelith said gently, stepping forward. "We can help with that."
Together, they lifted the man's body and placed him carefully into the back of the carriage. The woman explained that she was traveling to the next district, much like Torrack and Kaelith. Her father had been a merchant, and they had been moving goods between villages when the wolves attacked.
Once the man's body was secured, the woman offered Torrack and Kaelith a ride. "It's the least I can do for saving me," she said, her voice still thick with emotion. "We're headed in the same direction, and it would be good to have company."
Torrack glanced at Kaelith, who nodded in agreement. "Alright," he said. "We'll come with you."
As they climbed into the carriage, Torrack couldn't shake the feeling that there was something familiar about the woman. He couldn't quite place it, but there was a sense of home in the air, a feeling he hadn't experienced in a long time.
For now, though, he pushed the thought aside. There was still a long journey ahead, and many more challenges to face. But at least, for the