The towering trees of Redwyrm Forest rose ahead, their dense canopies blocking out most of the sunlight. Even from the entrance, the forest felt alive in a way I hadn't experienced before untamed, raw, and humming faintly with mana.
I adjusted the strap on my bag, steadying my breathing. Each step toward the rune-etched archway marking the forest's entrance felt heavier than the last.
"First time entering?" a guard asked, stepping forward.
I nodded.
He held out a sleek, palm-sized device a flare gun. "If you encounter anything too dangerous, fire this straight into the air. The Red Wyrm or a rescue team will respond."
I took it carefully, turning it over in my hands before securing it to my belt. "Thanks. Anything else I should know?"
The guard's expression darkened slightly. "Stay on the paths. The forest might look peaceful, but it's unpredictable. Mana beasts here are usually passive unless provoked, but if you see anything corrupted…" He hesitated. "Run. Don't even think of fighting it."
His words lingered as I stepped through the archway.
The air changed instantly. It was cooler, heavier, and carried the scent of damp earth and ancient wood. Shafts of light pierced the canopy in scattered beams, illuminating patches of vibrant undergrowth. The forest was silent but not lifeless the hum of mana was woven into every leaf, every root.
I followed the marked trail, the map's faintly glowing symbols leading me deeper into the wilderness. Each step felt surreal. Nexus was known for its artificial forests, but this was something else entirely. Untouched. Wild.
I paused by a small stream, its clear water trickling over smooth stones. Tiny, mana-infused fish darted beneath the surface, their scales shimmering faintly. I knelt to touch the water, the coolness refreshing against my skin.
"This place…" I murmured, taking in the scene. "It feels alive."
A low, guttural growl broke the peace, sharp and primal.
I froze. The sound sent an icy chill down my spine. Slowly, I turned my head toward the source.
A fire wolf emerged from the underbrush.
Its molten orange eyes locked onto mine, glowing with an intense, predatory focus. Ash-gray fur crackled with flames, and smoke curled from its bared fangs. It was massive easily three meters tall, its shoulders rippling with muscle and mana.
For a moment, neither of us moved.
I rose slowly, keeping my hands visible. "I don't want trouble," I said softly, trying to steady my voice.
The wolf's growl deepened, its flames flaring brighter. The ground beneath its paws blackened as embers drifted through the air.
My hand drifted to the sword at my hip, fingers trembling as I unsheathed it.
The wolf lunged.
I barely dodged, rolling to the side as a searing jet of flames scorched the ground where I'd been standing. My heart raced, the acrid stench of burnt earth filling the air.
I spun to face the beast, sword in hand. Its molten eyes followed my every movement, unblinking, calculating.
It lunged again, and I swung with all my strength. The blade scraped across its shoulder, sparks flying. A deep gash appeared, but the attack only seemed to enrage it.
The wolf retaliated instantly, its claws raking across my side. Pain exploded in my ribs as I stumbled backward, gasping for air. My hand flew to the flare gun at my belt, but before I could draw it, another swipe sent the device skittering into the underbrush.
The wolf circled me, flames licking the ground where it stepped. Its eyes were fixed on me, its molten gaze burning with hunger and fury.
"This can't be it," I muttered under my breath. My chest tightened, panic threatening to consume me.
The wolf lunged a third time, its jaws wide and flames roaring around its body. Pure instinct took over. My mana surged, raw and chaotic, and the air between us rippled like a distortion in reality.
One moment, the wolf's fangs were inches from my throat. The next, I was behind it, disoriented but alive.
The wolf froze, confused by the sudden shift. It snarled, whipping around just as I swung my blade in a desperate arc.
The sword caught the wolf across its eye. Blood and flames erupted from the wound as the beast howled in agony, thrashing wildly.
Its movements became erratic, its balance faltering as it stumbled back. I didn't wait for it to recover.
I bolted, clutching my side as I sprinted deeper into the forest. The wolf's pained howls echoed behind me, furious and relentless.
The chase was relentless. Every step sent sharp pain through my ribs, but I pushed on. The wolf's snarls grew louder, closer. Its flames illuminated the forest, casting wild shadows as it tore through the undergrowth.
"Keep moving," I panted, forcing my legs to keep going. "Just a little further "
A deafening roar shook the air, followed by a loud, bone-shaking thud.
I skidded to a halt, nearly tripping over my own feet. Turning, I saw the wolf sprawled on the ground, clawing at something invisible.
A shimmering barrier hung in the air between us, rippling faintly with mana.
The wolf lunged at the barrier, its claws slamming into the distortion. Sparks erupted on impact, and the beast was thrown back with a crackling pulse.
It tried again, snarling, but the result was the same. The barrier held.
I stared, gasping for breath. My body trembled as relief washed over me.
The wolf rose to its full height, blood dripping from the wound across its eye. Its remaining eye burned with hatred as it locked onto me, separated by the shimmering dome.
It didn't snarl this time. Instead, it paced at the edge of the barrier, its gaze fixed on me as if memorizing my every movement.
"This isn't over," I muttered, gripping my sword tighter.
The barrier's cool energy was a stark contrast to the oppressive heat of the chase. For the first time, I allowed myself to breathe.
Beyond the barrier, the dense forest opened into a clearing.
At its center stood a cathedral, its massive spires piercing the sky.