The three of them stood frozen by the riverbank, their eyes locked onto the rippling surface.
The sound of something moving beneath the water had started as faint splashes, like a fish flapping against the current.
Then it grew louder, more deliberate, as if something massive was cutting through the depths. It wasn't the sound of an aimless creature.
No, this was different. It was purposeful. Predatory.
Creed's ears strained as the noise grew louder, closer—then, just like that, it stopped. Silence. Eerie and absolute.
Not even the distant hum of insects could be heard. It was as if the world itself held its breath.
Creed's fingers twitched toward his weapon instinctively, his every nerve screaming at him to move, to do something, but he remained still, waiting.
Dagga, on the other hand, didn't wait. His gaze flickered back to the dark cave behind them. "We're out of time," he muttered under his breath.
He turned, moving swiftly to grab the last few essential items from the stash: a small pouch of dried rations, a weathered map, and a dagger with jagged edges.
Creed's sharp eyes didn't miss the tension in Dagga's movements. The usually unshakable fiend demon was in a hurry. It wasn't panic, not yet, but it was close.
"What's going on?" Creed asked, his tone deliberately casual.
Dagga didn't look at him as he stuffed the items into a crude satchel. "That thing in the river isn't alone. It's stalling. Waiting for reinforcements."
The words hit Creed like a slap. Reinforcements. They weren't dealing with just one creature. This was something far more dangerous.
His gaze shifted to Lula, who stood near the edge of the water, her golden eyes darting between them and the river.
She looked calm, but something about her posture nagged at Creed. The timing of her arrival… it was too perfect.
She had come through the river in the nihility forest of all places, and had just happened to stumble upon them.
'Too convenient,' Creed thought, his mind racing.
He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The way she had shown up and almost fought with them, it had seemed genuine at first.
But now, with danger closing in, his instincts were screaming at him to question everything.
'What if she's with them? What if she led them here?'
But then, another possibility crept into his mind, one that made him hesitate. 'Or… what if she was followed?'
That could explain why the creatures were here, why they were targeting this specific location. 'Am I overthinking this? Or not thinking enough?'
Either way, Creed knew one thing: he couldn't trust her completely. Not yet. But he also couldn't jump to conclusions without evidence. For now, he'd play along and watch her closely.
"We need to move," Dagga said, his voice sharp and commanding. He slung the satchel over his shoulder and motioned toward the water. "Now."
Without another word, the three of them dove into the river. The icy water bit into Creed's skin, but he ignored it, focusing on the darkness that surrounded them.
The current was strong, pushing them downstream, but Creed's mind was elsewhere.
As he swam, he concentrated on the bond he shared with Dagga. The taming mark had created a faint connection between them—a thread that tied their souls together.
Creed had never tested its limits before, but now seemed as good a time as any.
'Dagga,' he thought, focusing all his energy on the connection. 'Can you hear me?'
There was no response.
Creed frowned, narrowing his eyes as he pushed harder. 'Dagga. It's Creed. Answer me.'
For a long moment, there was nothing but the sound of rushing water and the strain of his own heartbeat. Then, faintly, a voice rumbled in his mind. "What… Creed? How are you—"
'No time to explain,' Creed interrupted, his mental tone firm. 'Where does this river lead?'
Dagga's voice was hesitant but clear. "A valley outside the Nihility Forest. It's the only exit."
'Are you sure there's no other way out?' Creed pressed.
"Positive. This river is the only path."
Creed's face morphed into a small scowl. 'Good. Then listen carefully. We're going to find out if Lula is with the Blades of Aragoth.'
Dagga's mental voice shifted, sharp and defensive. "What? Lula? Why would she—"
'Think about it,' Creed said, his mind spinning with possibilities. 'How did she find you? How did she know you were here?'
There was a long pause. Even through the mental connection, Creed could feel Dagga's hesitation.
'If she's a spy,' Creed continued, 'she'll try to lead us into a trap. If she's genuine, her answers will line up. I'll ask her some questions, ones designed to trip her up. If she slips, we'll know.'
Dagga growled softly in agreement. "Fine. But I don't like this."
Neither do I, Creed admitted. But we can't take chances.
When they finally surfaced, gasping for air, the river had carried them to a narrow clearing surrounded by thick trees.
The air was heavy with moisture, and the faint cries of distant creatures echoed in the background.
Creed didn't waste any time. He turned to Lula, who was wringing out her hair, and fixed her with a calm, calculating gaze.
"Lula," he began, his voice even, "how did you know Dagga was here? This cave system isn't exactly common knowledge."
Lula blinked, startled by the sudden question. "I—I overheard some guards talking about it," she stammered. "They said a fiend demon had been spotted here."
Creed tilted his head, his gaze unrelenting. "Guards? Which guards? And how close were you to them that they didn't see you?"
Lula hesitated, her eyes darting to Dagga as if seeking help. "I… I was hiding. They didn't see me."
Dagga's growl rumbled through the air, low and threatening. "Lula…"
Creed stepped closer, his tone deceptively light. "And how did you get into this forest? Did they chase you there? Or did you just happen to stumble in at the perfect moment?"
Lula opened her mouth to answer but faltered, her lips pressing into a thin line.
Dagga's patience snapped. His claws flexed, and his voice was a roar of fury. "Lula! How dare you betray me?!"
_____
Power stone Goal!
50 PS - 1 Bonus chapter
100 PS - 2 Bonus chapter
200 PS (Quite an achievement as of now) - 3 Bonus chapters.
Castle - 10 Bonus Chapters!