The ashes of the sentinel had barely settled when the earth rumbled again, though this time it wasn't an immediate threat. Kael froze, listening, and felt it—a pulse, a wave of energy radiating outward like ripples on a pond.
It wasn't just the gods. The Wilds themselves were reacting.
Eryndra dusted herself off, her eyes narrowing as she surveyed their surroundings. "That's not normal."
Kael agreed. The Wilds were chaotic, unpredictable, but this felt... different. It wasn't just the land shifting—it was as if the entire world had taken notice of their actions.
Thane frowned, planting his axe into the ground. "Feels like we just lit a beacon. If the gods didn't know where we were before, they sure do now."
Kael's mind raced. The sentinel had been a taste of the gods' power, but they wouldn't rely solely on constructs. If they were truly stirring, it meant their presence would become more direct, their retaliation more devastating.
Eryndra slung her bow over her shoulder. "We need to move, and fast. If the Wilds are shifting, they'll try to trap us in here. The gods can't let us reach the heart of the Pact."
Kael nodded. He could feel Kaela's restlessness within him, the wolf's instincts screaming for them to act. "We need to keep heading east. The next waystone is the only path that leads deeper into the Wilds without looping back."
Thane grunted, hefting his weapon. "Then let's go. Standing around waiting for the gods to smite us doesn't sound like my kind of fun."
---
The Refugees
As they pressed onward, the forest's usual noises—the chirping of birds, the rustling of leaves—were replaced by an eerie silence. The trees loomed taller, their twisted branches reaching toward the sky like claws.
It wasn't long before they encountered others.
A group of travelers, disheveled and wounded, stumbled into their path. They were clearly not soldiers or tamers—ordinary people caught in the Wilds' unpredictable shifts. Their leader, a woman with a bloodied arm, raised a hand in desperation.
"Please! Help us!"
Kael hesitated, glancing at Eryndra and Thane. "Who are you? What happened?"
The woman stumbled forward, her face pale. "The gods... their servants... they attacked our village. They said we were harboring heretics." Her eyes darted nervously. "We ran, but the Wilds swallowed us. I don't even know where we are anymore."
Eryndra stepped closer, her expression softening. "How many of you are there?"
"Just us," the woman said, motioning to the small group behind her—an old man, a young boy clutching a wooden stick, and a few others. "The rest didn't make it."
Kael felt a surge of anger. The gods were tightening their grip, punishing anyone who dared step out of line. He looked at his companions. "We can't leave them here."
Thane frowned. "They'll slow us down. If the gods are hunting us, they'll be caught in the crossfire."
Kael clenched his fists. "Then we make sure they're safe first. They don't deserve to die because of us."
Eryndra nodded. "There's a hollow ahead. It should be defensible for a while. We can lead them there before moving on."
Thane sighed, his expression begrudging. "Fine. But if we run into more trouble because of this, I'm blaming you."
Kael ignored him, turning to the woman. "Stay close. We'll get you to safety."
---
A Fractured Alliance
The journey to the hollow was tense. Every sound, every shadow, felt like a potential threat. The refugees huddled together, their fear palpable, and Kael couldn't blame them. The gods' wrath was indiscriminate.
As they reached the hollow, Kael felt a pang of relief. The terrain was naturally fortified—steep slopes surrounded the clearing, and a small cave provided additional shelter.
"This will do," Eryndra said, scanning the area. "We'll set up a perimeter and—"
Her words were cut off by a low growl.
Kael spun, his dagger drawn, as a massive form emerged from the trees. It was a beast unlike any he had seen before—a mix of scales and fur, its eyes glowing with an unnatural light.
Thane cursed, raising his axe. "Another god-spawn?"
"No," Kael said, his bond with Kaela flaring. He could feel the creature's presence, its raw, untamed energy. This wasn't a construct of divine will. It was a Wilds-born predator, drawn by the chaos they had unleashed.
The refugees screamed, backing away as the creature advanced. Kael stepped forward, his dagger gleaming. "Eryndra, keep them safe. Thane, with me."
The beast lunged, its claws tearing through the ground as it charged. Kael dodged to the side, his movements guided by Kaela's instincts. Thane met the creature head-on, his axe striking sparks as it collided with the beast's armored hide.
"Go for the legs!" Kael shouted, darting in to slash at one of the creature's hind limbs.
The beast roared, swinging its tail in a wide arc. Kael barely managed to duck, the force of the blow sending debris flying.
Eryndra fired from the ridge, her arrows striking the beast's flank. They didn't pierce deep, but they distracted it enough for Thane to land another heavy blow.
"Keep at it!" Kael yelled, feeling the momentum shift.
Kaela's energy surged through him, and he channeled it into his dagger. The blade glowed brighter, and Kael leaped, aiming for the beast's neck. His strike connected, and the creature howled, its movements growing sluggish.
Thane delivered the final blow, his axe splitting the beast's skull with a sickening crunch.
---
Questions Unanswered
As the beast collapsed, its massive form shaking the ground, Kael let out a shaky breath. He turned to the refugees, who stared at him with wide eyes.
"You're safe now," he said, though the words felt hollow.
The woman stepped forward, her gaze lingering on Kael's glowing dagger. "You're... a tamer?"
Kael nodded. "Something like that."
Her expression darkened. "Then you're the reason the gods are hunting us, aren't you?"
Eryndra stepped in, her voice sharp. "That's enough. If it weren't for us, you'd all be dead. We're trying to fix this—to free everyone from the gods' control."
The woman didn't look convinced, but she said nothing more.
Thane shook his head. "Let's get moving before something worse shows up."
Kael glanced at the refugees, his heart heavy. Their fear and distrust were a stark reminder of the cost of their mission.
"We'll find you a safe place," he promised, though he wasn't sure he believed it himself.
As they left the hollow behind, Kael couldn't shake the feeling that the Wilds were watching, waiting. The gods weren't their only enemies. The world itself was turning against them, and the path ahead was more dangerous than ever.