The sun was shining brightly overhead when the hunter team made their move. The field was silent except for the occasional rustle of wind through the corn stems. At the far end of the field, the Kumaon Shadow Wolves were feasting on a stolen cow. Their alpha, a massive black beast with glowing red eyes, sat regally near the corpse, exuding a chilling aura of authority.
The hunter team, led by Jubin, disembarked silently, their movements precise and disciplined. The knights took the front line, their armor glinting faintly in the sunlight, while the mages positioned themselves at the rear, ready to unleash their magical power.
The wolves were unaware of the danger. Three of them guarded the side of the cornfield closest to the hunters. Although wolves have keen noses, today was not their day, the wind was blowing in the opposite direction, masking the hunters' scent. The guards spotted the intruders at the last moment, leaving them defenseless against the first strike.
Saraf, the most powerful knight on the team, was the first to attack. Wielding a broad sword, he charged forward and leaped into the air, delivering a decisive strike. His blade gleamed in the sunlight as it cleaved through the neck of the first wolf with a single, powerful blow.
Raaz, with his swift and precise spear, impaled the second wolf's heart just as it opened its mouth to howl a warning. The howl was abruptly cut short, but the pack had received enough of the message.
Rakesh and Dilip worked in unison, their saber and sword forming a deadly combination that dispatched the third wolf in seconds.
The death of the guards alerted the pack. A bloodcurdling howl erupted from deeper within the group as the wolves realized the threat. The alpha stood, its red eyes locking onto the intruders, and the pack responded immediately. Eight wolves on guard duty bolted toward the attackers, while others began circling to flank them.
Jubin shouted an order, and the mages sprang into action. Raising his hands, he conjured a fierce spray of fire that swept toward the advancing wolves. Flames crackled and roared as two wolves were engulfed in the blaze, their howls of agony echoing before they retreated. Without missing a beat, Jubin summoned a tornado that hurtled toward the incoming wolves.
To his right, Rita, the youngest member of the team, cast the tier-one earth spell 'Delay,' creating a muddy tide that slowed the wolves' advance. She followed this with a continuous stream of wind blades aimed at a trio of attackers. Deep cuts appeared on the wolves' bodies; their dark fur was stained with blood. Her mastery of earth and air magic was remarkable for someone so young.
The wolves, however, were relentless. One managed to bypass Jubin's tornado, its shadowy form a blur as it leaped into the midst of the knights. Saraf met the charge with his broad sword, but the wolf's speed and strength were formidable, forcing him back. Raaz turned to assist, driving his spear into the wolf's flank, but not before it clawed Saraf's armor, leaving deep scratches.
Meanwhile, Usha and Dinesh combined their powers to devastating effect. Usha's fire magic created a wall of flames to block the wolves' advance from one side, while Dinesh summoned a fiery meteor that streaked through the sky and exploded among the wolves, turning their location into a blazing inferno. The howls of agony from the burning wolves echoed across the field.
Yet, a pair of wolves broke through the barrier and lunged at the mages. Rita quickly raised a hardened mound of earth, forming a protective wall just in time. The wolves slammed into it with bone-crunching force.
At that moment, the alpha wolf charged into the fray with terrifying speed. Its massive frame was a blur of shadow and fang as it lunged at Usha, who was locked in combat with another wolf. She summoned a fire spray to counter the attack, but the alpha twisted mid-air, avoiding the worst of the flames and slamming into her. Usha cried out in pain as she hit the ground, deep cuts bleeding her side. Before losing his momentum, she managed to scorch the alpha's flank. The beast growled in pain, its black fur charred and bleeding.
Raaz, seeing Usha fall, abandoned his position and sprinted to her side. He fed her a healing pill, hoisted her onto his back, and began making his way toward the carriage. Usha's blood stained his armor as he moved.
The rest of the team redoubled their efforts, fighting with renewed fury. Jubin's fire and air magic created a blazing vortex that consumed several wolves at once, while Rita unleashed a barrage of air blades to fend off those attempting to flank them.
Saraf, despite his injuries, held his ground with unrelenting resolve. His broad sword cleaved through two wolves in a single swing, the force of his strikes shaking the ground. Rakesh and Dilip fought back-to-back, their blades a whirlwind of lethal precision. Rakesh's saber carved through a wolf's skull, while Dilip's sword delivered a clean decapitation to another.
The alpha, though wounded, continued to rally its pack. It let out a guttural howl, and the remaining wolves launched a desperate assault. But the hunters were ready. Dinesh and Jubin combined their powers once more, creating a searing wave of fire that burned through the advancing wolves. Rita fortified her earth wall around the mages, while Saraf, Rakesh, Raaz, and Dilip cut down any wolves that broke through.
Ranav stood beside the carriage, his heart pounding with anxiety. The sounds of battle, shouts and howls, was reaching his ear. Though the fighting was obscured by the cornfield, he could feel the intensity of the sound. Kulbir stood beside him, equally tense.
Suddenly, Jessica spoke in Ranav's mind. "Two people are coming. Be prepared."
"Only two?" Ranav asked.
"Yes, but one is carrying the other. I think one of them is injured."
"I hope it's not too serious."
"Wait… there's a wolf following them. Be ready."
"How far are they?"
"You'll see the injured soon. They're about twenty yards away. The wolf is farther… fifty yards… but it's catching up quickly."
"Will they make it here before the wolf catches up?" Ranav asked.
"Unlikely. If you want to help them, run toward the cornfield at your fifty-degree angle. You'll intercept the wolf before it reaches them."
"Understood." Ranav sprinted toward the cornfield.
Kulbir, startled by Ranav's sudden movement, immediately followed. As a veteran guard, he knew what to do.
"The wolf isn't targeting you," Jessica said. "You may have the element of surprise. Be ready for my signal."
Ranav nodded silently while running and tightened his grip on his sword.
Just as Raaz emerged from the cornfield, carrying the injured Usha, he saw Ranav running toward them. "Usha is injured! Please stop the bleeding!" Raaz shouted, but Ranav sped past them without a word.
Raaz turned in confusion, only to see a wolf leaping out of the cornfield, aiming straight for him and Usha.
Ranav's sword flashed through the air, delivering a diagonal slash with all his strength. The blade struck the wolf's neck, tearing through flesh and skin. The wolf fell to the ground, its trajectory altered mid-leap.
"Kulbir!" Ranav shouted.
Kulbir was already in motion. The wolf, struggling to rise, was an easy target. Kulbir thrust his sword into its head, its body twitched a few times, and then it lay there, motionless.