The fire dies down, its dancing flames reduced to faint red embers. Veil and Alynia, their stomachs full of grilled meat, sit near the fire. The cave has grown quiet, the sound of burning wood filling the space. A piercing scream echoes in the distance. It's a sharp, high-pitched sound, almost metallic. Veil's eyes snap open as he listens carefully. A second scream follows, closer this time. This one is accompanied by a deep growl, distant but menacing. Alynia (fixed gaze): "They're coming. The smell of meat must have drawn them in." She stands with a fluid motion. Her ears swivel toward the noise, and her tail flicks slightly, a sign of heightened alertness. Veil grits his teeth, wincing in pain. His injured leg protests with every move, but he refuses to stay seated. Veil (panting): "I... I can walk... I can fight." He rises with difficulty, briefly leaning against the cave wall. The pain is sharp, but he bites down and follows Alynia slowly, dagger in hand. The cold bites at him once again, but this time, it's not the cold that concerns him. Outside, the forest is cloaked in dim light. The pale gray sky is heavy with thick clouds, and snow crunches softly beneath their feet. Three ice wolves emerge from the edge of the forest, their piercing yellow eyes glowing like torches. Their growls rumble like distant drums. Above them, two snow raptors circle in the sky. The large birds have dazzling white feathers, but their plumage looks rigid, almost as sharp as blades. Alynia (cold gaze): "I'll handle the birds. You take care of the wolves." She doesn't leave him a choice. Alynia leaps forward, her feet gliding across the snow with ease. She raises her right hand toward the sky, and water swirling around her gathers into liquid spears. With a swift motion, two water lances shoot toward the raptors. Veil (internal thought): Three wolves... Three against one... He backs away, dagger in hand, his gaze locked on the wolves advancing slowly, circling their prey. Each step the wolves take sinks into the snow, creating an oppressive, steady rhythm. Veil (breathing heavily): "Too close... Too close!" The first wolf lunges, fangs bared. Veil rolls to the side, his shoulder slamming into the icy ground. He scrambles to his feet, but the second wolf is already upon him. He raises his dagger just in time to block the bite. The wolf's teeth clamp down on the blade, the sound of metal ringing out. Veil (shouting): "Let go of me!" He pushes with all his strength, but the wolf doesn't relent. The third wolf attacks from the flank. Veil pulls his leg back just in time, but the pain from his injury makes him grimace. His breathing becomes erratic as his body starts to falter. Above, Alynia engages the raptors. One of her water lances pierces the first bird. A sharp cry echoes through the forest. The second raptor dives toward her. Alynia sidesteps, narrowly avoiding its talons. Veil (panting, panicked): "I can't... I can't do this!" A wolf pins him down. His head slams into the snow, and his vision blurs. The wolf's claws dig into his coat, the weight on his chest suffocating. The fangs draw closer to his face. Veil (screaming in rage): "NO!" A sharp sound. A blurred figure moves across his vision. A swift, precise strike. The wolf is thrown aside. Blood stains the snow. Alynia stands over him, her posture low, her eyes fixed on the remaining wolves. She holds her dagger in one hand, her claws extended. Alynia (firm tone): "Get up. Now." Veil slowly rises, his breathing heavy, his gaze hollow. A mix of shame and anger flashes across his face. His hand grips the dagger tightly, his knuckles white. Alynia (icy stare): "They won't give you a second chance." She leaps at the nearest wolf, her dagger plunging into its side. The wolf struggles, but she ends it swiftly by slashing its throat with a precise stroke of her claws. Her gaze remains steady and cold. The two remaining wolves growl, their ears pinned back, but they don't retreat. They charge head-on. Alynia sidesteps, her claws flashing through the air in a clean arc. The wolves collapse into the snow, motionless. Her claws drip with their blood as she stands. Silence. Veil remains on the ground, his eyes fixed on his trembling hands. His breathing is ragged. He clenches his fists, a mix of shame and frustration clouding his expression. His gaze drops. Veil (internal thought): I was useless... Again... Too weak... Alynia wipes her dagger and claws clean on a corner of her coat, her eyes locked on Veil. Her gaze is harsh, but not cruel. Alynia (calm voice): "Rest now. But next time, you will stay on your feet." The icy wind sweeps through the forest.