The ground trembled beneath their feet as the seven wolves emerged from the thick mist of the Alcreme Forest.
Each one stood nearly three meters tall, their bodies brimming with raw elemental energy. Their eyes glowed with unnatural intensity, and their very presence made the air feel thick with power.
The Fire Wolf had a mane of crimson flames, its every breath exhaling sparks that turned the grass beneath it to ash.
The Water Wolf moved with fluid grace, its translucent fur flowing like a river, droplets of water falling with each step.
The Earth Wolf was a walking fortress, its massive frame covered in rock-like plating, footsteps leaving deep craters in the dirt.
The Wind Wolf flickered like a mirage, its semi-transparent form leaving behind streaks of high-speed gales with every motion.
The Light Wolf shimmered like a radiant star, its pure white fur almost blinding to look at directly.
The Darkness Wolf seemed to swallow the very light around it, its obsidian fur blending with the shadows as if it were part of them.
And then there was the Final Wolf, the one whose presence made even the others seem less imposing. It pulsed with an unknown, ancient energy, something beyond the six elements—a wolf of balance, holding together the very fabric of the others.
The wolves stood in a half-circle, surrounding Delia's group. The sheer weight of their presence was suffocating.
Golan gripped his spear. "Yeah… I think we're dead."
Mi held his sword tight. "No. We fight."
Scarlett, despite her usual confidence, swallowed. "This… might be too much."
Aui's calculating eyes darted between the wolves. "They're not just beasts. They're… Ex-Terra artifacts. Living, breathing remnants of the previous world."
Showler whispered under his breath. "How do we fight that?"
The wolves did not give them time to think.
With a roar like an earthquake, the Earth Wolf slammed its massive paw into the ground.
The terrain cracked, sending chunks of stone flying at them like jagged spears.
"Scatter!" Mi shouted.
Everyone dodged, but the Wind Wolf moved too fast—before Mi could react, it was already on him, slashing with razor-sharp claws.
Aui threw out a barrier spell, but it only partially absorbed the impact. Mi was flung back, rolling across the dirt.
Scarlett leaped into the fray, her twin swords flashing, but her attack barely scratched the Water Wolf, whose body flowed like liquid, absorbing the blows.
The Fire Wolf opened its maw, a pillar of flames erupting towards them—
Delia stepped forward.
With a single motion, she raised her hand, and a wall of earth burst from the ground, absorbing the firestorm.
"Hold your ground!" Delia commanded, her voice calm yet commanding.
The group steadied themselves, their eyes locked onto her.
She took a deep breath. Time to end this.
Delia stomped her foot down, and the earth rippled beneath her, sending shockwaves through the battlefield.
The Earth Wolf staggered back, momentarily off balance.
She turned her gaze to the Wind Wolf, raising her hand—a vortex of air spiraled into existence, trapping the beast in a cyclone.
The Water Wolf lunged at her from behind—she twisted, her palm slamming into the ground, and the very earth swallowed it whole, trapping it in a deep pit.
The Fire Wolf growled and leaped forward, but Delia was already moving.
With a flick of her wrist, golden energy flared around her—Angelic Skill activated.
A massive protective dome materialized, shielding her allies.
The Fire Wolf's attack hit the barrier… and disintegrated.
Scarlett, eyes wide, muttered, "She's… not even struggling."
Golan gulped. "Wait… if she's this powerful, then… was she holding back this whole time?"
Delia exhaled, adjusting her stance. This was only 40% of her power.
The wolves hesitated, sensing that the tide had turned.
She smiled, unshaken.
"Alright then," Delia said softly, her golden aura glowing brighter. "Let's finish this."
As the dust settled, something unexpected happened.
The seven wolves, though defeated, their bodies began to glow, their forms breaking down into pulsing streams of elemental energy.
The Fire Wolf's flames dimmed. The Water Wolf's liquid form rippled.
The Earth Wolf's body crumbled into dust, while the Wind Wolf's figure dissolved into mist.
One by one, they rose into the air, floating around Delia, their power swirling like a storm.
The final wolf, the Balance Wolf, stepped forward.
It was the only one still intact, standing tall, eyes glowing with wisdom beyond comprehension.
"…You are worthy," it said, its voice ancient, deep, and resonating with power.
Delia raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Decided to talk now?"
The Balance Wolf bowed its head. "We are relics of the old world, remnants of the divine war. We have waited for one who could truly command us."
The six other wolves bowed as well, their energies shifting.
"Our power is now yours," the Balance Wolf declared. "We shall become your new elements. No longer mere fragments of magic, but true beings at your command."
Delia felt a warmth spread through her, as if the very laws of nature had shifted in her favor.
Her previous tiny elemental beings, those little manifestations of her magic, vanished, replaced by these wolves—primal, ancient, and infinitely more powerful.
She raised a hand, and immediately, the Fire Wolf's form flickered in front of her, hovering like a phantom guardian, waiting for her command.
A smile tugged at Delia's lips.
"…I like this."
Scarlett watched with wide eyes. "So… you can literally summon giant elemental wolves now?"
Delia nodded. "Not just summon. Manifest. They are a part of me now. When I use my elements, they will appear."
Aui crossed her arms. "And you can… make them fight for you?"
The Fire Wolf rumbled, a deep growl that sent heat waves rippling through the air.
Delia smirked. "If I wanted to, yes."
Golan shook his head, rubbing his temples.
"She was already terrifying, and now she has seven giant wolves at her beck and call?"
Showler muttered, "The world isn't ready for this…"
Mi let out a short laugh. "Neither are we."
Delia simply chuckled, watching as the elemental wolves settled into her magic, their forms fading but their presence remaining.
A new power had awakened.
And this was just the beginning.
After the intense battle, the group decided to rest and recover. However, as they moved deeper into the Alcreme Forest, something strange caught their attention.
Scarlett was the first to notice it. "Hey… does the ground look weird to anyone else?"
Aui adjusted her glasses. "You're right. The soil here is unnaturally smooth, almost like…"
"Like something was buried here," Showler finished, his sharp eyes scanning the area.
Delia tilted her head, her instincts telling her that something was beneath them. She placed a hand on the ground, and the Earth Wolf immediately materialized beside her.
It let out a low growl before stomping its paw.
The earth rumbled.
And then—the ground caved in.
Delia glanced at each member of the group, her eyes silently seeking their approval to move forward. They exchanged brief looks with one another, and with a shared understanding, they all nodded in agreement.
Seeing their response, Delia's lips curled into a smile as she gave a nod of her own.
The group fell through, but before they could hit the bottom, Delia instinctively used wind magic, slowing their descent.
They landed in a vast underground chamber.
Tall, cracked pillars lined the walls, and glowing symbols pulsed faintly on the stone.
"This place…" Eina whispered, staring in awe.
"This isn't just ruins. This is ancient—far older than any recorded civilization."
Golan whistled. "Well, we sure don't see this every day."
Delia walked forward, running her fingers along one of the glowing inscriptions. The moment she touched it, a wave of energy surged through her.
A notification flashed before her eyes.
______________________________
<< Progenitor Memory Resonance Detected. >>
______________________________
Her vision blurred.
A rush of unknown memories flooded her mind, scenes of a world before Nexaterra, images of beings like her—Progenitors.
She saw a woman with silver wings, eyes glowing with pure divinity, standing before a colossal gate.
"…If we are to survive, we must leave behind our knowledge…"
The vision ended abruptly, and Delia stumbled back, gasping.
Scarlett caught her. "Delia! Are you okay?"
Delia blinked, trying to steady herself. "I… I saw something. A memory. Not mine, but…"
Aui stepped forward. "You said 'Progenitor' just now, didn't you?"
Delia nodded slowly. "Yeah… And I think this place holds more answers."
She turned back toward the chamber, her heart pounding with anticipation.
What else was hidden here?
And what did it mean for her true origins?