Arren trudged through the snow, his mind still lingering on the events of the day. The magical pouch swung lightly at his side, its contents secure, while the dragon egg nestled safely within. The cold bit at his skin, but the steady thrum of his heartbeat and the warmth of his determination kept him moving forward.
He was close to the barracks now, the distant glow of torchlight flickering between the trees. But as he stepped into a clearing, a strange sensation washed over him. The air felt charged, as if the atmosphere itself was holding its breath.
Arren slowed his pace, every muscle in his body tensing as his instincts screamed a warning. Then, from the shadows, a low growl resonated, deeper and more menacing than the wolf he'd faced earlier.
Emerging from the darkness was a pack of creatures unlike any he'd seen before. Their bodies were sleek, their fur streaked with silvery patterns that crackled faintly with energy. Their eyes glowed an unnatural blue, and as they moved, small arcs of lightning danced across their forms.
"Thunder wolves," Arren muttered under his breath, recognizing the beasts from old tales. They were said to be faster than the eye could follow and capable of summoning storms with their howls.
The leader of the pack, a massive alpha with jagged scars across its snout, stepped forward. Its eyes locked onto Arren, and a rumble of electricity filled the air. The rest of the pack fanned out, circling him like predators closing in on their prey.
Arren gritted his teeth and tightened his grip on his sword. This was no ordinary fight—he would need to push himself beyond his limits.
The alpha howled, a deafening sound that sent shockwaves through the clearing. Bolts of lightning streaked down from the sky, striking the ground with explosive force. Arren barely dodged the first strike, the searing heat singing the edges of his cloak.
Before he could regain his footing, one of the wolves lunged at him, its fangs crackling with electricity. He raised his sword just in time to deflect the attack, but the impact sent a jolt through his body. Pain lanced through his arm, but he clenched his jaw and pushed through it.
"Alright," he growled, stepping back to reassess his position. "If you want lightning, let's see how you handle mine."
Arren closed his eyes for a split second, summoning the power within him. A flicker of orange and blue light sparked at his fingertips, growing stronger as he focused. Fire and lightning—the elements that had always coursed through his veins—answered his call.
When he opened his eyes, they glowed with an otherworldly energy. Flames licked up the length of his sword, intertwining with streaks of crackling electricity. The air around him grew hotter, charged with raw power.
The alpha snarled, sensing the shift in the battle. It lunged at him, its movements a blur. Arren met it head-on, swinging his sword in a fiery arc. The blade collided with the wolf's claws, sending a shower of sparks into the night.
The other wolves joined the fray, their attacks relentless. Arren moved like a storm, his sword a blur of fire and lightning as he fended off the pack. Each strike sent bursts of energy rippling through the clearing, scorching the ground and sending the wolves retreating momentarily.
But they were cunning, working in perfect coordination to exploit any opening. One wolf leaped from behind, its jaws aiming for the dragon egg pouch. Arren spun on his heel, releasing a burst of fire from his palm that engulfed the beast mid-air. It yelped and crashed into the snow, its fur smoldering.
"Not today," Arren snarled, the flames in his eyes burning brighter.
The alpha wolf growled, its body glowing brighter as it prepared for one final, devastating attack. Lightning coiled around it like a living thing, the ground trembling beneath its paws.
Arren matched its intensity, raising his sword high as fire and lightning swirled together in a brilliant, chaotic dance. "Let's end this."
The clearing erupted in light and sound as the two forces clashed. The explosion sent snow flying in every direction, and for a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath.
When the dust settled, Arren stood victorious, his sword crackling faintly as the last remnants of his energy faded. The wolves were gone, their forms dissolved into the wind, leaving only faint scorch marks in the snow.
Arren exhaled heavily, his breath misting in the cold air. His body ached, his energy spent, but a small, satisfied smile tugged at his lips. The barracks were closer now, their warm light beckoning him forward.
But as he turned to leave, a faint sound caught his attention—a soft whimper. He froze, scanning the clearing until his eyes landed on a lone wolf pup, its tiny body trembling in the snow. Its fur glimmered faintly with the same silvery energy as the others, but its eyes were wide with fear, not malice.
Arren hesitated, his instincts warring with his compassion. Finally, he sheathed his sword and crouched down, extending a hand.
"Come on, little one," he murmured. "You're not like them, are you?"
The pup sniffed his hand cautiously before stepping closer, its small tail wagging uncertainly.
Arren sighed, picking up the pup and tucking it into his cloak. "Looks like you're coming with me. Let's see if you're as much trouble as the rest of your kind."
As he resumed his journey, the pup nestled against his chest, its warmth a surprising comfort. Arren couldn't help but wonder what other surprises the night had in store.
The wolf pup squirmed slightly in Arren's arms, its silvery fur faintly crackling with harmless arcs of lightning. Arren glanced down at it, a mix of curiosity and wariness in his expression. Despite the fierce battle he'd just endured, there was something disarming about the little creature. Its blue eyes, wide and innocent, stared up at him with an almost pleading look.
"You're lucky I didn't leave you there," Arren muttered, adjusting his cloak to shield the pup from the cold. "But don't think for a second this means I trust you."
The pup let out a soft whimper, pressing closer to his chest. Arren sighed, shaking his head. "You're going to be trouble, aren't you?"