The wind whipped past Aelric's ears as he sprinted across jagged rocks and sparse trees. Each gasping breath burned his lungs, but he pressed on, eyes fixed on the narrow choke point ahead.
Behind him, guttural snarls and the pounding of claws on stone chased him through the darkening forest. The Howlfangs were closing in, their molten eyes glowing with predatory hunger.
One leapt onto a ledge above, pacing him, its jaws snapping inches from his shoulder. Aelric ducked, the beast's claws grazing his tunic, and pushed harder, legs screaming in protest.
"There!" he shouted as the boulders marking the ambush site came into view. "Get ready!"
Ahead, Duran stood at the choke point like an immovable statue, his hammer resting across his shoulder. The others—Lysa, Elysia, Kane, Mira, and Joss—waited in the shadows, weapons ready. Nets of vines hung loose above the narrow pass, and sharpened stakes lined the sides, concealed beneath scattered foliage.
Aelric barreled into the pass, ducking to the side just as the first Howlfang lunged forward.
"Now!" he shouted.
At his signal, hidden ropes were yanked, releasing a series of crude traps. Sharpened spikes swung down from above, and pits concealed with branches opened underfoot. The first wave of Howlfangs crashed into the defenses. Some were impaled by the spikes; others stumbled into the pits or were entangled by nets woven from vines.
Duran stepped forward with brutal efficiency. His hammer arced downward, connecting with the beast's skull in a sickening crunch. The Howlfang crumpled, blood spraying across the rocky ground.
"Hold them here!" Aelric commanded, raising his sword.
"Push forward!" Aelric commanded, his voice ringing out as the rest of the group emerged from their hiding spots.
Duran took the lead, his hammer rising and falling in deadly rhythm. Another Howlfang leapt toward him, claws outstretched, but he sidestepped and brought the hammer crashing down on its spine. "Next!" he barked, already turning toward the next threat.
Elysia's chain whipped through the air, catching a beast by its hind leg and yanking it off balance. She darted forward, delivering a crushing kick to its neck before retreating into the shadows. Lysa drove her spear into a Howlfang's exposed side, her movements precise and practiced.
Kane hesitated, his dagger trembling in his grip. One of the smaller beasts snarled and lunged toward him, but Joss intercepted it with a wild swing of his club, shouting, "Stay sharp, Kane!"
Aelric found himself face-to-face with a scarred Howlfang, larger and more menacing than the others. It snarled, its golden eyes locking onto him. He braced himself, raising his sword just in time to parry its claws. The impact jarred his arm, but he held firm, slashing downward and cutting deep into the beast's shoulder.
The Howlfang roared in pain, but before it could retaliate, Duran's hammer slammed into its side, sending it sprawling.
Duran gave him a single nod before moving to engage the next beast, his hammer swinging with practiced precision. Aelric steadied himself and returned to the fray.
The group fought with grim determination, their coordination improving with each moment. Aelric shouted orders, directing the others to cover gaps in the defense. Elysia darted between attackers, her chain a blur of motion. Lysa's spear struck true, while Duran remained a rock at the center of the battlefield, his hammer devastating anything in its path.
Finally, after what felt like hours, the last Howlfang fell. A heavy silence settled over the battlefield, broken only by the ragged breathing of the survivors.
Aelric leaned against a boulder, his chest heaving, his sword slick with blood—his own and the beasts'. He wiped his brow, his hand trembling slightly as the adrenaline ebbed away. A glowing screen flickered before his eyes:
[You have slain a Lesser Howlfang.]
[Total Progress: 27/100 Howlfangs slain.]
He let out a shaky breath, his grip tightening on his sword. We're still alive.
Nearby, Duran stood among the carnage, his hammer resting against the ground. He was unscathed, though blood streaked his face and arms. He glanced at Aelric, his expression unreadable as always.
"Good work," Aelric said, his voice hoarse.
Duran grunted in response, his gaze shifting to the others. Lysa was tending to a shallow wound on her arm, while Elysia coiled her chain with methodical precision. Kane sat on a rock, his hands trembling as he wiped his dagger clean.
"Didn't think we'd pull it off," Kane admitted, his voice shaking. "I mean, I hoped we would, but—"
"You did fine," Duran interrupted, his tone low but firm. "Keep doing that."
Kane blinked, then nodded quickly. "Y-yeah. Thanks."
Aleric felt the familiar subtle warmth—a stirring deep within whenever Kane was near. The Mark of Loyalty, the nascent ability tied to his Dominion, seemed to resonate strongly with him.
As dusk settled, the group set about gathering what they could from the fallen Howlfangs. Their meat was tough but edible when cooked properly.
For the first time since their ordeal began, there was a sense of camaraderie among them. Laughter bubbled up in pockets, stories were exchanged, and the shadows seemed a little less daunting.
Kane plopped down beside Aelric, offering him a skewer of meat. "Here. Fresh off the fire."
"Thanks," Aelric said, taking it. He noted the tension in Kane's posture—the way he held himself as though bracing for something unseen. "You did well today," he added, keeping his tone light.
Kane gave a shaky laugh. "Did I? I felt like I was about to lose it the entire time."
"You didn't. That counts for more than you think."
Kane nodded, his gaze distant as he stared into the fire. "You know, I wasn't supposed to be here," he said after a long pause.
Aelric tilted his head. "What do you mean?"
"I mean..." Kane hesitated, his fingers fidgeting with the skewer. "I was never meant to be part of something like this. Back home, I worked in my father's forge. He always said I wasn't strong enough for the real work—lifting the hammers, shaping the metal. So I did the smaller things. Fixed tools. Polished blades. Kept the place clean."
Aelric remained silent, letting Kane continue.
"Then the raiders came," Kane said, his voice quieter now. "They burned the forge. Took my parents. I don't even know if they're alive. I ran—just grabbed what I could and ran." His knuckles whitened around the skewer. "I've been running ever since."
The firelight flickered, casting shifting shadows across Kane's face. His expression was a mix of guilt and anger, as though he was trying to reconcile the boy who fled with the man he wanted to become.
"I'm not like Duran or Lysa," Kane said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm not brave. I don't know if I ever will be."
Aelric felt a subtle warmth stir in his chest, a quiet hum that resonated in Kane's presence. The Mark of Loyalty tugged faintly, more insistent than it had been with others. It wasn't the strength of the bond that surprised him—it was Kane's vulnerability that seemed to call to it. The mark didn't just respond to confidence or skill; it sought something deeper: trust, potential, a willingness to follow even when fear loomed large.
"Kane," Aelric said, his voice steady. "Bravery isn't about not being afraid. It's about acting in spite of it. You stood your ground today. That's what matters."
Kane looked at him, his eyes searching Aelric's face for something—approval, perhaps, or reassurance. "You really think so?"
"I know so," Aelric replied. "You've already proven it. You're stronger than you think."
For a moment, Kane's expression softened, the weight on his shoulders seeming to ease. He nodded slowly, taking a bite of the meat and chewing in silence.
As the warmth of the mark receded, Aelric felt a faint connection linger—an invisible thread tying Kane to him. It wasn't as strong as a true bond, but it was there, a sign of trust beginning to take root.
*****
A/N:
The journey continues, and everyone is finding their footing—growing more confident and better equipped to face the challenges ahead. It's always rewarding to see these characters evolve, but let's not forget that danger is never far away. Just when things start to feel safe, the world has a way of reminding us how unpredictable it can be.
In the next chapter, Aleric will take a significant step forward by learning an Art that will give him more control over his choices and actions. It's a turning point for him and an exciting development that will bring new depth to his role in the story.
As the stakes grow higher, expect more twists, discoveries, and moments that will challenge everyone in unexpected ways. Thank you for following along so far—there's much more to come, and I can't wait to share it with you!