The morning sun filtered through the dense forest canopy, casting flickering patches of light across the path. The air was thick with the earthy scent of moss and damp leaves, and every rustling branch seemed to carry a whisper of the wild's hidden dangers. As William and Elara moved forward, Garret followed behind, his armor clinking faintly with each step. The knight's injuries had healed, but his movements were still cautious, a lingering reminder of the ambush.
"Stay sharp," Elara murmured, her gaze scanning the shadows that stretched across the path ahead. "This forest can conceal more than just bandits."
A low growl echoed from somewhere in the underbrush, drawing William's attention to a thicket of tangled roots. The sound came again, more distinct, and was joined by a chorus of snarls and chattering—unlike any animal he had encountered in his short time at the village. Instinctively, he reached for the hilt of his dagger, his muscles tensing as the sound drew nearer.
Without warning, a pack of lupine creatures burst from the foliage, their eyes glowing a sickly green. Their fur was matted with mud, and their jagged teeth dripped with saliva as they encircled the group. These were not ordinary wolves; something about them reeked of dark magic.
"Ambush!" Garret shouted, raising his sword. The metallic ring of steel meeting steel cut through the air as he deflected a lunging beast.
William's dagger flashed as he darted forward, slashing at a wolf's flank. He felt the blade bite into flesh, hot blood spraying his hand. The creature yelped and recoiled, but two others quickly took its place, their snarls reverberating like a chilling chorus. One wolf lunged for his throat, but he sidestepped at the last moment, the creature's teeth snapping shut on empty air. He countered with a swift downward strike, piercing the wolf's spine with a sickening crack.
Elara's voice rang out behind him as she unleashed a burst of magic, her hands glowing with a blue hue. Ice shards formed mid-air and shot forward, spearing a wolf through the chest. The beast collapsed in a heap, its breath steaming in the cold air as its life faded away.
"These wolves aren't natural," she shouted, her voice carrying over the clash. "Something's driven them mad!"
William's thoughts raced, his focus narrowing to the rhythm of combat. His senses heightened—the acrid smell of blood, the warmth of sweat trickling down his back, the pulse of adrenaline pounding in his ears. Another wolf closed in, and he met its charge head-on, ducking low to slice at its belly. It stumbled, howling in pain, just as Garret's sword cleaved its head from its shoulders.
"There's more coming!" Garret called out, his eyes wide as the forest seemed to shudder with movement.
The three of them formed a tight circle, back-to-back, as a new wave of beasts emerged from the gloom. William's arms burned with exertion, his breaths coming out in ragged gasps. It felt like the wolves were endless, their glowing eyes multiplying in the darkness.
"Elara, any tricks left up your sleeve?" he asked, his voice strained.
She gritted her teeth, sweat beading on her brow. "I'm running low on mana. We need to break their momentum."
William glanced around, his mind racing for a solution. His eyes fell upon a fallen tree trunk half-submerged in a nearby stream. An idea formed, reckless but the only chance they had. "Cover me!" he shouted, sprinting toward the water.
System Stats Update:
Name: William
Level: 5
Stats:
Strength: 9
Agility: 9
Endurance: 8
Intelligence: 8
Wisdom: 8
Bloodline: Unknown
Last Name: Unknown
Skills:
Basic Combat Dagger Mastery II
Items:
Enchanted Iron Dagger
End of Chapter Seven