Kael's mind raced as the ritual continued before him, his body pressed flat against the cold stone. The beasts surrounding the artifact were more than just creatures—they were something more, something ancient. He could feel the pulse of their power in the air, thick and oppressive. It was the kind of energy that made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end, a dark presence that whispered of forgotten things.
For all his strength, his training, and his survival instincts, Kael was facing something he had never encountered before. The wilds were no longer just a backdrop to his struggle—they had become a living force, a force the beasts were tapping into with their ritual. He watched as the leader, the one who held the artifact, stood tall, his arms raised in silent command, and he felt something inside Kael shift. The balance of nature was being tilted, and Kael was caught in its gravitational pull.
In the days following the ritual, Kael stayed on the outskirts of their camp, studying the movements and the increasingly erratic behavior of the creatures. His every instinct told him to act, to strike before they could fully awaken the power they were toying with. Yet, each time he considered moving in closer, something in his gut held him back. There was a feeling of inevitability in the air—whatever they were doing was already in motion, and the longer he waited, the more dangerous it became.
Kael couldn't afford to make a rash decision. But he knew one thing for sure: he had to stop the beast wave before it reached his homeland. His banishment had been harsh, but it had granted him an edge. No one knew his capabilities out here, in the wilds, and he intended to use that anonymity to his advantage.
The longer he remained in the wilds, the more Kael came to realize how different the beasts had become. The primitive instincts that once defined them were fading, replaced by something darker, something more calculated. The pack was no longer just a group of creatures—there was a force driving them, a purpose behind their movements. Kael's observations confirmed what he had feared: the beasts were preparing for war.
Their ritual had unlocked something—perhaps an ancient power, a forgotten magic, or an unnatural connection to the land itself. Whatever it was, Kael didn't know how to fight it. But what he did know was this: he had no time to waste.
The next few days passed in a blur of strategy and preparation. Kael moved from shadow to shadow, picking off lone beasts and scouting their movements. He knew he had to stay under the radar, but with every step he took, he felt the weight of time pressing down on him. The more he watched the beasts, the more he understood that their plan was unfolding quickly. If he couldn't stop them now, they would soon be at the gates of his home.
One day, as Kael lay in wait near a cliffside, he heard the unmistakable sound of movement—a beast, larger than any he had seen before, moving through the underbrush. He recognized the creature instantly: it was the leader of the pack, the one who had conducted the ritual.
Kael's heart pounded in his chest as the leader drew closer, unaware of his presence. The beast's massive form loomed in the shadows, its eyes glowing faintly in the fading light. Kael knew this was his chance to learn more about their plans, to find some weakness he could exploit. But he had to be careful. One wrong move and the entire pack could be upon him.
As the leader passed within arm's reach, Kael shifted silently, slipping into the shadows. He followed at a distance, staying hidden in the trees, tracking the beast's every move. Soon, the leader reached a clearing, where the rest of the pack had gathered around the artifact. The air was thick with tension, and Kael could sense that something important was about to happen.
The leader stepped forward, raising his arms again, and began to chant in a language Kael didn't recognize. The ritual was not over—it was evolving, growing stronger. And as Kael watched, he realized with a sinking feeling that he was running out of time.
The next day, Kael made his decision. He couldn't wait any longer. If he was going to stop the beast wave, he had to strike now. He gathered his weapons—his spear, his daggers, and the makeshift armor he had fashioned from the creatures he had hunted—and set out toward the heart of the beast camp.
The beasts had no idea he was coming.
Kael moved swiftly through the forest, taking advantage of his knowledge of the terrain. He would be there before they could finish whatever ritual they were preparing. He would find a way to disrupt their plans and save his people.
As the bastion loomed on the horizon, Kael's resolve solidified. The wilds had made him strong, but it was his determination to protect those he had left behind that would see him through the coming battle.