The eerie glow of the fungi cast long, shifting shadows as Kael and Mareth plunged deeper into the Wailing Forest. The whispers intensified, forming disjointed words that tugged at their minds. It was as though the forest sought to unravel their resolve before they could face its true dangers.
Kael's grip tightened around his sword as his eyes darted across the twisted terrain. Every step felt heavier, as if the very air resisted their intrusion. Mareth, for all his jokes, walked with a similar tension, his blade ready and his shoulders taut.
"You know," Mareth muttered, his voice barely above a whisper, "this forest has a lovely ambiance. Really makes you feel... unwelcome."
Kael shot him a look but said nothing. His focus was locked on the path ahead, where the faint blue light of the fungi marked their route. Stray even a little, and the forest would likely claim them.
Suddenly, a low growl broke the oppressive silence. It wasn't loud, but it sent a chill down their spines. The sound came from everywhere and nowhere at once.
Mareth froze. "Okay, I take it back. I don't think the trees want to kill us. I think whatever made that sound does."
Kael nodded, scanning the area. "Stay close. It's testing us."
A second growl followed, deeper and closer. The shadows around them seemed to shift, growing darker and more menacing. Kael felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up as his instincts screamed at him to prepare.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw movement. A blur of black darted between the trees, too fast to identify. Then another. And another.
"Uh, Kael?" Mareth said, his voice trembling slightly. "You seeing this?"
Kael nodded. "Pack tactics. They're circling us."
"Great," Mareth said with forced cheer. "Just what I wanted. A tactical masterclass from creepy forest monsters."
Without warning, one of the creatures lunged from the shadows. It was a grotesque beast, its form vaguely wolf-like but twisted and unnatural. Its skin was black and glistening, its eyes glowing faintly red. It snarled as it leaped for Kael, claws outstretched.it was rank 1 ,Tier I beasts
Kael reacted on instinct, swinging his sword in a wide arc. The blade met the creature mid-air, sending it crashing to the ground with a shriek. Before he could catch his breath, two more beasts emerged, their growls reverberating through the forest.
"Mareth! Left!" Kael shouted.
Mareth spun just in time to block a lunging attack from one of the creatures. The impact nearly knocked him off his feet, but he managed to push the beast back with a grunt of effort. "I thought you said we'd see them coming!"
"I was wrong," Kael snapped, deflecting another attack. "Focus!"
The beasts were relentless, attacking in coordinated waves. For every strike Kael landed, another beast would dart in from his blind spot, forcing him to constantly adjust. Mareth was faring no better, his swings growing more desperate as the creatures pressed their advantage.
"We can't keep this up!" Mareth yelled, narrowly dodging a set of claws that tore into the tree behind him.
Kael gritted his teeth. He knew Mareth was right. The pack wasn't just strong; they were intelligent. They were wearing them down, waiting for the moment when exhaustion would tip the scales.
"Back-to-back!" Kael shouted. "We'll cover each other!"
Mareth didn't hesitate, stepping into position. The two men stood back-to-back, their swords ready as the beasts circled them. The forest seemed to hum with anticipation, the whispers growing louder as though the trees themselves were watching.
The pack paused, their glowing eyes fixed on the duo. It was a tense standoff, neither side willing to make the first move. Kael's breathing was ragged, his muscles burning from the constant exertion.
Then, without warning, the largest of the beasts stepped forward. It was twice the size of the others, its body scarred and its eyes burning brighter than the rest. A low, guttural growl escaped its throat, and the other beasts seemed to fall back slightly, deferring to their leader.it was rank 1,Teir III .
"Oh, great," Mareth muttered. "Big guy's here. Just what we needed."
Kael didn't respond. His eyes were locked on the alpha, every fiber of his being screaming that this was no ordinary creature. It radiated a dark, malevolent energy that made his stomach churn.
The alpha snarled, and the pack resumed their assault. This time, they were even more ferocious, their attacks coming faster and harder. Kael and Mareth fought with everything they had, but it was clear they were being pushed to their limits.
Kael swung his sword in a wide arc, driving back two of the smaller beasts, but the alpha used the opening to charge. It was impossibly fast, its massive body colliding with Kael and sending him sprawling to the ground.
"Kael!" Mareth shouted, but he was too busy fending off his own attackers to help.
Kael rolled to the side just as the alpha's claws raked the ground where he had been lying. He scrambled to his feet, his sword raised, but the alpha was already on him again. It struck with a combination of brute force and calculated precision, forcing Kael onto the defensive.
Mareth, meanwhile, was barely holding his own. The smaller beasts had grown bolder, their attacks becoming more coordinated. He managed to land a few solid hits, but the effort was taking its toll. Sweat dripped down his face as he fought to stay on his feet.
"Any brilliant ideas?" Mareth shouted, his voice strained.
Kael didn't answer. His focus was entirely on the alpha, which was now circling him like a predator playing with its prey. He knew he couldn't beat it in a straight fight. He needed to find a weakness, something he could exploit.
The alpha lunged again, and Kael barely managed to sidestep the attack. As it passed, he noticed a deep scar running along its left flank. It wasn't much, but it was something.
"Mareth! The alpha's left side!" Kael called out, hoping his companion could hear him over the chaos.
Mareth glanced over, his eyes narrowing as he took in the scar. "Got it! Keep it busy!"
Kael nodded, steeling himself. He charged at the alpha, swinging his sword with all his strength. The beast met his attack head-on, their clash sending sparks flying. Kael gritted his teeth, pushing back against the overwhelming force.
"Now, Mareth!" he shouted.
Mareth broke free from his attackers, darting toward the alpha's exposed flank. With a fierce cry, he drove his sword into the scar, the blade sinking deep into the beast's flesh.
The alpha howled in pain, thrashing wildly. Kael seized the opportunity, slashing at its other side to keep it off balance. But the beast was far from defeated. With a roar, it threw Mareth off and turned its furious gaze on Kael.
"Uh, Kael?" Mareth groaned from the ground. "I think you've got its attention."
Kael didn't have time to respond as the alpha charged again, its movements fueled by rage. He raised his sword, preparing for the next round of their brutal fight. The battle wasn't over yet, and the forest seemed to hold its breath as the struggle continued.