Zion and Myr lay tangled together, their bodies connected in their passion.
Zion's movements were slow and his thrusts were steady as he held Myr close.
Meanwhile, Myr clung to him as her legs wrapped tightly around his waist. Her fingers dug into his back as she struggled to keep her moans low. Her breath hitched with every movement.
"Zion…" Myr whispered, her voice soft and breathless.
She tilted her head to meet his gaze, her eyes glistening affectionately.
"I don't know what I'd do without you."
Zion smiled, his lips brushing against her forehead as he continued to move inside her.
"You won't have to find out," he said, his voice low and reassuring. "I'll always be here for you, Myr. No matter what."
Myr's grip on him tightened, her body arching slightly as she let out a soft gasp.
"Promise me," she murmured. "Promise me we'll always be together."
Zion urgently thrusts on Myr. Pleasure coursed through them both and they clung tightly, lost in the moment's intensity.
Muffled moans filled the room, barely restrained as Myr struggled to keep quiet.
They reached their peak together, bodies trembling as they found sweet release.
"I promise," Zion pressed a gentle kiss on her lips.
The moment didn't last long.
The distant sound of bells echoed through the village.
Zion's eyes shifted toward the window, and a frown creased his face.
"They're calling us," he muttered, already moving to grab his clothes.
Myr sat up, her face set with resolve. "It's time, isn't it?"
Zion nodded, pulling his tunic over his head.
"Yeah. It's time."
---
The village square was alive. Dozens of villagers had gathered to see off the young adults traveling to the capital to become Elite Knights and receive their Affinity.
This tradition has been upheld for over 100 years since the founding of the Kingdom of Elaris.
Back then, the beast had nearly wiped out entire human settlements.
The "Wild Flood" came from the Abyssal Gate and wreaked havoc across the land.
In response, King Eldran, father of the present King Dante, established the Elite Knights.
They were a force trained to hunt and kill these creatures before they could ever reach the cities.
Every five years, the kingdom called upon the strongest young adult to train and join their ranks.
Today was that day.
"Line up!" Tata's voice boomed across the square, cutting through the chatter.
Tata was a former elite knight who is now retired. He has a scar running from his temple to his jaw.
He strode forward, his eyes sharp as he scanned the six young adult men and women gathered before him.
"Stand straight! This is the first step on your path to greatness!"
Zion straightened, his eyes flickering briefly to Myr, who stood just a few feet away.
Meanwhile, her gaze was fierce and filled with determination.
She's always been like that—focused on her dream of becoming a knight captain.
Meanwhile, Zion's reasons were simpler.
He just wanted to stay by her side.
If he could protect her, that was enough for him.
Tata's eyes landed on Zion and Myr, narrowing as if assessing them.
"Listen up! The path to becoming an elite knight is not for the weak. Some of you will break before you even make it to the capital. And some of you…"
His eyes shifted to the crowd of parents and villagers watching.
"Some of you will never return."
A cold shiver ran through Zion's spine, but he held his ground.
Myr didn't flinch.
"But those who endure will rise above the rest," Tata continued.
"You'll be legends. Heroes. Remember that when it gets tough."
He raised his arm and pointed toward the carriages lined up on the dirt path.
"Get moving! You've got a long road ahead."
---
Zion and Myr sat shoulder to shoulder in the back of one of the large wooden carriages.
Beside them were four other young adult villagers who had also chosen to go on the journey.
Karl is a lanky boy with a mop of brown hair and an endless grin. He was always talking and always loud.
Bane is a quiet, tall, brooding figure with sharp eyes. His arms were crossed as if he'd rather be anywhere else.
Nora is a girl with fiery red hair and a close friend of Myr.
Melvin is the oldest of the group. He is built like an ox, calm and patient but firm when he speaks.
The coachman sat at the front, flicking the reins of the horses.
"Hope you're all ready," he called back to them, his raspy voice rough but not unkind.
"It's a fifteen-day ride to the capital. If you're lucky, you'll make it with all your limbs intact."
He chuckled, though none of them laughed.
"I'm not scared," Karl declared, stretching his arms behind his head. "We're going to be knights, right? Who's gonna stop us?"
Nora rolled her eyes. "You're going to be the first one eaten, I'm telling you."
"I'd like to see the beast that could eat me!" Karl shot back.
---
A day has passed.
Then three days, four days, six days, and seven days.
At night, they would stop to rest. During the day, they continued on their journey.
---
Zion's gaze turned outside the carriage window as they entered the forest.
The Darkwood Forest stretched endlessly on both sides of the road. Its trees were gnarled and ancient. The light barely reached the forest floor.
Zion has heard stories of beasts and worse lurking in the darkness of these kinds of forests.
Myr's hand deliberately brushed against his. She didn't look at him, but that small gesture was enough.
"Stay close," she whispered, her voice so soft only he could hear it.
"I will," he whispered back.
---
Nightfall.
The clatter of the carriage wheels had lulled most of the group to sleep.
Melvin sat with his eyes closed but his hand firmly gripped his sword.
Nora's head leaned on Bane's shoulder, while Karl snored quietly in the corner.
Zion's eyes remained open, watching the woods.
Something didn't feel right. His gut twisted with unease.
Snap.
A sound echoed from the forest. making his breath trapped in his chest.
He turned his head slowly.
Another snap.
"Sir," he whispered. "There's something out there."
Old Man's eyes darted to the tree line. His brow furrowed as he reached for his lantern.
Howl
The sound was long, mournful, and close.
Too close.
"Wolves!" the driver barked, lashing on the horses to make them go faster.
"Everyone up! We're under attack!"
The sleeping youth jolted awake, hands scrambling for their weapons.
Nora's eyes went wide and cursed under his breath.
CRASH!
The wolves barreled into the side of the carriage and toppled it with a violent jolt.
Zion's world spun as he was thrown from his seat.
He hit the ground hard, and dirt filled his mouth. He coughed, but his head throbbed.
"Zion!" Myr's voice was frantic.
But he couldn't see her.
Wolves circled the wreckage. Their eyes glowed in the dark like embers.
"Get to the carriage!" the driver shouted.
Zion gritted his teeth, pushing himself as fast as he could, and helped Myr while the others climbed back into the damaged carriage.
However, the wolves charged. Their claws tore into the wood while a wolf leaped onto the carriage roof, smashing it inward.
"Go! I'll distract them!!" Zion shouted.
Myr's eyes widened in shock. "No!" she disagreed.
But the driver whipped the reins, and the horses surged forward.
The wolf on the roof lunged inside, attempting to stop them.
But Zion sprang into action.
His sword flashed as he thrust at the beast in the body.
Then he pushed the wolf outside the carriage with him as the wolf was bigger than him.
He tumbled across the ground, rolling to his feet.
He quickly glanced up to look at where the carriage was and he saw it vanish into the woods.
"I'll follow," he shouted, gripping his sword tighter. His eyes were locked around the circling wolves.