As they ventured deeper into the woods, the group soon encountered the first signs of the dire wolves. Shadows darted among the trees, low growls echoed in the distance, and the air grew thick with a tense anticipation. Raymond's eyes narrowed as he scanned the treeline, noting every flicker of movement.
The wolves struck quickly, charging out of the underbrush with teeth bared. Garrick and Elena braced themselves, shields up and weapons ready, moving with the disciplined precision Raymond had taught them. Sonya took her position beside Raymond, her spear flashing as she engaged the first wolf that lunged at her, her movements fluid and controlled. The battle had begun.
Raymond swung his massive mace, crushing one of the wolves in a single, brutal blow, the beast yelping as it fell. He didn't even break stride, his stance unwavering as more wolves came at him. But as he fought, something unusual caught his attention. These dire wolves weren't attacking in the way he would have expected. Dire wolves were intelligent creatures for beasts, but this pack was showing a degree of strategy and patience that was... odd.
A few wolves would charge in, keeping the group occupied, while others stayed hidden, circling, watching. These weren't mindless attackers; they moved almost like scouts, darting forward to test their defenses before retreating and regrouping. Raymond frowned, landing another crushing blow on an advancing wolf, the sound of bones breaking under his mace.
"Something isn't right," he muttered to himself, a hint of suspicion creeping into his voice. His gaze flickered around the trees, tracking the wolves as they withdrew just out of range, their eyes gleaming in the shadows. They were watching, waiting, calculating.
Sonya finished off a wolf that lunged at her, breathing heavily as she spared a quick glance at Raymond. "What do you mean?"
He shook his head, still focused on the wolves. "Dire wolves are clever, yes, but they don't usually display this level of coordination. It's as if they're scouting us, observing our weaknesses before committing to an attack." He adjusted his stance, his grip tightening on his mace. "It's too organized. They know simple hunting tactics, but this… this is more than that."
Garrick, overhearing them, grunted as he wiped his blade clean. "You're saying these beasts are acting like soldiers?"
Raymond didn't respond immediately, his eyes narrowing as he observed another wolf slipping through the underbrush, flanking them. "Something like that," he replied quietly. He was sure of it now—this pack was following a strategy, almost as if they were testing the group's defenses, gauging their strength. It was too deliberate, too coordinated. And it left him uneasy.
The wolves had momentarily withdrawn, but Raymond could feel their eyes on him, lurking just out of sight. He turned to his companions. "Be on guard. This feels like the first wave, not the full force of their attack. Whoever—or whatever—is leading them might be planning something bigger."
Elena exchanged a worried glance with Garrick. "Dire wolves don't usually have leaders, do they?" she asked, gripping her spear a little tighter.
Raymond shook his head. "they have, but not in the way that humans or other creatures do. But if something—or someone—is influencing them, then we're dealing with more than just an ordinary pack." His mind whirred as he tried to piece together what he was seeing. "Stay close, and don't let your guard down. We'll need to be ready if they come back in greater numbers."
Sonya cast him a worried look but didn't argue. She knew enough to trust Raymond's instincts, even if she didn't fully understand what was happening. The group tightened their formation, shields and weapons at the ready, scanning the woods for any sign of movement.
As they continued onward, the forest grew eerily quiet, the usual sounds of nature replaced by an unsettling stillness. Raymond's eyes stayed sharp, his every sense heightened. Whoever—or whatever—was behind this, he knew they weren't done. The true threat was still out there, lurking just beyond the edge of the shadows, and he intended to be ready for it.
After holding their ground against the wolves, the forest had gone disturbingly quiet. Raymond scanned the shadows, gripping his mace, still braced for another attack. But minutes passed, and the dire wolves remained hidden, seemingly content with keeping their distance. Something didn't add up.
"These wolves aren't attacking," he murmured, eyes still trained on the tree line. "It's as if they're waiting for something... or testing us."
Garrick and Elena exchanged uneasy glances. Sonya, who stood beside Raymond with her spear ready, looked concerned as well. The unsettling behavior of the wolves had not escaped her notice.
"Testing us?" Garrick asked, wiping sweat from his brow as he surveyed the surrounding woods. "Dire wolves don't think that way. They hunt. They don't—plan."
Raymond nodded grimly. "Exactly. But if they're being controlled or led by something with intelligence... this village might just be a test for whatever's behind them."
The weight of his words settled heavily on the group. Sonya's eyes widened. "Are you suggesting these attacks are just the beginning?"
Raymond turned to her, his expression set. "I don't know for certain. But I've fought enough to know that whatever's orchestrating this is likely planning something larger. It's best to assume that this village is just the start."
Elena, who had been scanning the woods nervously, nodded in agreement. "If that's true, we should return to Eldemor and warn everyone. We'll need more than just our small group if we're facing something organized."
Garrick glanced toward the road leading back to the village. "Perhaps we should send someone to the capital, to the guild or even the military. If there's something controlling these wolves, reinforcements could make all the difference."
Raymond considered this and finally nodded. "It's a good plan. We'll need more swords—and more information."
Together, the group began their cautious retreat back to Eldemor, staying close and alert as they moved through the trees. Raymond couldn't shake the feeling that the wolves were watching, observing their every move from the shadows, but no more attacks came. They seemed to be allowing them to leave, which only confirmed Raymond's suspicion that this was just the beginning.
---
When they reached the village, the sun had begun to sink behind the horizon, casting long shadows across the fields. Eldemor looked quiet and peaceful, but the group knew better. The villagers' lives were now under threat from something far more sinister than they'd realized.
Raymond approached the village elder, a weathered man named Aldric, who listened with a grave expression as they explained the wolves' strange behavior.
"These aren't ordinary attacks," Raymond said firmly. "The wolves have a strategy, almost as if they're under command. Whoever—or whatever—is directing them isn't simply hunting. It's planning."
Aldric's face paled at the words. "If that's true, then the village is in greater danger than we thought. We must act swiftly."
Raymond nodded. "We'll need reinforcements from the capital. If you have a horse available, we can send someone immediately to alert the guild and request aid. If this is a trial run, Eldemor may not be the only target."
Aldric agreed and quickly arranged for a horse. A young villager, who was swift and familiar with the route, volunteered to ride to the capital. Raymond placed a hand on the young man's shoulder, looking him in the eyes with an intensity that left no room for doubt.
"Tell them everything," Raymond instructed. "We need anyone they can send—guild members, soldiers, anyone who can handle themselves in a fight. Make sure they understand the urgency."
The rider nodded, determination hardening his face as he took the reins and set off at a gallop toward the capital, vanishing down the winding road as dusk settled over the village.
---
The group gathered in the village square, and Raymond addressed the villagers who had gathered anxiously.
"Tonight, we prepare for the worst," he said, his voice firm and commanding. "We don't know when or if they'll strike again, but we need to be ready. Those of you who can fight, stand guard. Those who can't, help with the barricades. We're going to defend Eldemor, no matter what comes."
Sonya and the others helped organize the villagers, arming them with what weapons they had and reinforcing the makeshift barricades around the village. The village blacksmith worked late into the night, reforging farm tools into spears and crude weapons.
Raymond paced along the defenses, his mind racing with possibilities. He knew the villagers were capable—they had learned well from him in his time here—but he also knew they'd be tested in ways they'd never faced before.
As they settled in for the night watch, Sonya approached him, her gaze filled with worry. "Do you really think something else is leading these wolves?"
Raymond looked at her, his expression unreadable beneath the shadow of his helmet. "I don't just think it. I'm certain of it." He glanced toward the dark treeline beyond the village. "And whatever it is, it's only getting started."
As why Raymond need reinforcement because he's can't protect a whole village alone, he will come out in Victory of course, but how about anyone else
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To be continue....
Heya there, do i need to give Raymond love interest? Well you know, it's a bit weird to literally walking skeleton had one and no harem tho (i had isue about that IRL so couldn't see how it work)