Kael's heart pounded in his chest as he watched the horde descend. The sky, once filled with white light, now darkened with the sheer number of Grimwings spiraling downward. His breath came in shallow gasps, anticipation turning quickly into raw fear. This was supposed to be a mission where he could see 4-layered hunters in action, where he could watch from the sidelines as they dealt with a dangerous, but manageable, creature.
But now... now it was something else.
Kael's hands tightened around the hilt of his sword, slick with sweat. His legs trembled, not from exhaustion but from the creeping realization that death was closing in. He stared at the approaching horde, indignation boiling inside him. This isn't how it's supposed to be. He had fought so hard, trained endlessly, all for a singular purpose—to see his parents again. He couldn't die here. Not now. Not when he hadn't fulfilled his mission. I can't leave Mia alone. I promised her...
His vision blurred for a moment, Mia's face flashing before his eyes. His younger sister, full of hope and determination, always pushing herself, always believing that if they worked hard enough, they could bring their parents back. How could he face her in death, having failed to protect their future?
He clenched his jaw, his chest tightening with guilt. I'm sorry, Mia. I'm so sorry. The thought of her standing at the king's side alone, vulnerable, twisted something deep within him. A cold realization gripped him. The king had always been kind—too kind. That smile, so warm, so full of promise... But now, Kael saw something darker lurking beneath it. Was it possible the king had never intended to fulfill his promise? Had he and Mia simply been pawns in a much larger game?
Kael remembered the way he'd cried in front of the king, desperate for hope, desperate for something to cling to. He'd believed the king would bring their parents back. But now, that hope seemed fragile, thin, like glass on the verge of shattering. What if the king was planning to exploit Mia? What if his promise had never been real? What if they had been used, manipulated by that warm smile?
Before Kael could fall further into his thoughts, a sharp bark cut through the chaos.
"Get up! Hold your ground!" Gareth's voice was loud and commanding, snapping Kael back into the present. The leader hadn't given up. Despite the sheer number of creatures descending upon them, Gareth still stood tall, still radiated the unshakeable confidence of a veteran hunter.
Kael looked at him, eyes wide with a mixture of surprise and awe. He couldn't believe it—Gareth wasn't backing down. He wasn't losing hope. Even now, when the odds seemed insurmountable, he was still fighting, still leading his group with everything he had.
And it was contagious.
Kael felt a surge of motivation, an unexpected flood of courage pushing through the fear that had gripped him moments before. His grip on his sword steadied, and he stepped forward, falling in line with the others. The group formed a circle, each of them ready, weapons drawn. He could hear the others muttering to themselves, breathing heavily but focused. The weight of the moment, the suffocating dread, seemed to tighten their bond, making them move as one.
The sound of the Grimwings' wings flapping filled the air, like a thousand sheets of leather being whipped in the wind. Their growls were low and guttural, vibrating in Kael's chest. He could feel the tension building as the horde circled closer, the monsters' eyes gleaming with malice.
This is it, Kael thought, bracing himself. They were outnumbered, outmatched, but they would fight. They had no choice. He wouldn't die without a fight, and he wouldn't let Mia be exploited, left to the mercy of a king with dark motives. For her... I have to survive.
Gareth's voice, now low but firm, cut through the heavy air. "Stay close. Don't break the formation. We'll take them one by one if we have to."
Lira nodded, her staff glowing faintly as she prepared her spells. "We're stronger together. We can do this."
Thorne, his face pale but resolute, gripped his sword tightly. "We've got this, Kael. Just stick with us."
Kael gave a quick nod, the fear still simmering but now laced with determination. The horde was close now, so close he could see the fine details of their scaly, leathery wings, their horns casting ominous shadows on the marble floor beneath them. They hovered above, surrounding the group like vultures circling prey.
But then... they didn't attack.
Kael blinked in confusion as the creatures slowed their approach, stopping just out of range. The Grimwings hung in the air, their eyes fixated on the group, growling and snarling—but they made no move to strike.
"What... what's happening?" Bram muttered, his sword still raised but his voice filled with uncertainty.
Gareth's eyes narrowed, glancing around at the creatures. "Hold your ground. Don't move."
The air was thick with tension, the flapping of wings the only sound as the monsters hovered, glaring, their presence overwhelming but... still. They didn't dive. They didn't attack.
Kael's heart raced, his grip on his sword tight. What are they waiting for?