The dire wolves wasted no time. Their snarls echoed through the dense woods as the pack lunged forward, teeth bared and claws digging into the soil. Solis gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, his heart racing. His palms were slick with sweat, but his gaze was sharp and unwavering.
"Alright, here they come!" Solis shouted, bracing himself.
Vaidya stood behind him, flipping through his leather-bound book with steady hands. His voice carried a calm authority. "Don't just swing wildly—focus on the leader. They'll scatter if it's taken down!"
Solis nodded, raising his sword just in time to parry the snapping jaws of one of the wolves. The impact sent vibrations up his arms, but he planted his feet firmly, sidestepping to avoid the next attack.
Meanwhile, Vaidya began chanting under his breath, the wind around him stirring with a faint hum. His satchel fluttered as he extended a hand, a faint green aura glowing around it. "Sylph's Gale!" he whispered, and a sharp gust of wind shot out, forcing back two wolves that had been circling toward Solis's blind spot.
"Nice timing!" Solis called, grinning as he slashed downward, the blade catching one of the smaller wolves across its shoulder. It yelped and retreated, leaving an opening in the pack's formation.
"Don't get cocky," Vaidya replied, his tone wry. "There's still five of them, including the alpha. I'll keep the smaller ones off you—focus on the big one!"
Solis nodded, his eyes locking onto the alpha wolf. It was larger than the others, its fur a deep gray streaked with scars, and its golden eyes glinted with intelligence. It barked sharply, signaling the others to attack again.
The wolves fanned out, attempting to flank Solis. But before they could close in, Vaidya extended both hands, the air around him twisting violently. "Tempest Ward!" A whirlwind erupted around the duo, knocking two wolves off their feet and sending leaves scattering into the air.
"That's amazing!" Solis exclaimed, using the opening to charge the alpha.
The alpha wolf growled, leaping at Solis with terrifying speed. Solis barely managed to duck, rolling to the side and slashing upward. The blade grazed the wolf's side, drawing a line of crimson, but the creature barely flinched.
"Solis! It's too fast for you to fight head-on!" Vaidya shouted, flipping through his book again. "I'll slow it down—hold your position!"
With another chant, Vaidya summoned a sharp gust of wind that struck the alpha in the face, momentarily blinding it with dust and debris. The wolf snarled, shaking its head in frustration.
"Now's your chance!" Vaidya yelled.
Solis darted forward, his movements precise. He feinted to the left before pivoting sharply and driving the blade toward the alpha's chest. The wolf tried to dodge, but the wind magic disrupted its balance, leaving it vulnerable. The sword sank deep, and the alpha let out a final, guttural growl before collapsing to the ground.
The remaining wolves hesitated, their confidence shattered. One by one, they retreated into the shadows of the forest, their howls fading into the distance.
Breathing heavily, Solis leaned on his sword, the adrenaline still pumping through his veins. "We... we did it!" he said, grinning triumphantly.
Vaidya smirked, tucking his book back into his satchel. "Of course we did. You had me to back you up."
Solis laughed, sheathing his sword. "You're right. I'd have been dog food without your magic—and your strategy. Thanks, Vaidya."
"Well, you did handle yourself pretty well out there," Vaidya admitted, adjusting his satchel. "But let's not celebrate yet. We've still got the Puffworts to deliver."
---
Later, Back at the Clearing
The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon as Solis and Vaidya emerged from the forest, their satchels full of Puffworts. Instructor Yug was waiting for them, leaning against a tree with his arms crossed.
"You're late," Yug said, raising an eyebrow. "I was starting to think you'd gotten lost—or worse."
Solis grinned, pulling out one of the Puffworts. "Oh, we had a little run-in with some dire wolves, but nothing we couldn't handle."
Vaidya sighed, shaking his head. "By 'we,' he means I did all the thinking while he swung a sword around."
Yug chuckled, clapping Solis on the shoulder. "Well, whatever works. You've got the Puffworts, and you're both in one piece—that's what matters. Good job, you two."
Solis and Vaidya exchanged a satisfied glance. It had been a tough fight, but they'd come out stronger—and with their bond as Postknights even tighter.
Meanwhile, at the Prism Kingdom's Border
The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the border outpost. Border knights, clad in their gleaming armor, patrolled the high walls, their watchful eyes scanning the horizon. Everything seemed calm, but the eerie silence unsettled the captain of the watch.
"Something feels... off," Captain Ardin muttered, gripping the hilt of his sword.
Before his lieutenant could respond, a deafening roar shattered the stillness, sending tremors through the ground. The knights froze as a massive shadow swept over them. A dragon, its scales black as midnight and its eyes glowing with fiery malice, descended upon the boundary.
"Sound the alarm! Dragon incoming!" Captain Ardin shouted, drawing his blade as the beast unleashed a torrent of flames that engulfed the nearest watchtower.
The border knights fought valiantly, their arrows and ballistae soaring through the air, but the dragon's sheer size and power overwhelmed them. Its tail smashed through the fortified walls like they were paper, sending knights scattering.
"We can't hold it! Retreat to the second line of defense!" Ardin yelled, his voice barely audible over the dragon's roars and the chaos erupting around him.
High above, the Air Knights were already in motion. Their sleek planes roared to life, cutting through the sky like arrows. Commander Elise, leading the aerial squadron, barked orders into her headset.
"Focus all firepower on its wings! Grounding it is our only chance!"
The planes swarmed around the dragon, firing bursts of enchanted ammunition. Explosions rippled across the beast's armored hide, and it roared in fury, snapping at the aircraft with its powerful jaws. A lucky shot clipped its left wing, causing the dragon to lose altitude, but it wasn't enough to bring it down.
"It's not stopping!" one pilot shouted as the dragon unleashed another stream of fire, narrowly missing a plane.
"Keep pushing! Don't let it reach the villages!" Elise commanded, her plane weaving through the dragon's deadly attacks.
Despite their efforts, the dragon broke through the Air Knights' formation, its rage unyielding. Smoke billowed in its wake as it rampaged toward the nearest settlements. The village of Pompom, nestled near the border, bore the brunt of its fury.
Flames engulfed the quaint cottages, and villagers fled in terror as the dragon crushed everything in its path. The once vibrant fields were reduced to smoldering ash, and the air was filled with the cries of those caught in the devastation.
By the time the Air Knights regrouped and drove the dragon further inland, Pompom Village lay in ruins, its people scattered and its fields burned to the ground.