Pyris ventured deeper into Blackscale Grove, the forest shifting around him, almost alive in its malice. The air grew warmer, heavier, and the once-faint rustling of the wind was replaced by a new sound—a low, guttural growl.
His pulse quickened, instincts screaming that something was coming.
From the dense underbrush emerged a beast unlike the others—a Blood Wolf, its dark red fur stained with the blood of countless victims.
It moved like a predator with purpose, its crimson eyes locking onto Pyris with unsettling intelligence. The air around the wolf shimmered with raw, oppressive blood magic.
"Of course it's blood magic," Pyris muttered under his breath, gripping the hilt of his sword. "Because things weren't already bad enough."
[Well, you wanted a challenge, didn't you?] Lia chimed in, her voice filled with a teasing edge. [This should be fun to watch.]
