The journey toward the mountains began under a cloak of early morning mist, the world still muted and wrapped in the quiet stillness before dawn. Damien and Ravenna moved with purpose, their steps synchronized, as if they had been traveling together for years instead of mere days. Their bond had solidified with every passing hour, every conversation, every shared glance. But the weight of what lay ahead hung heavy between them.
The warning from the stranger had not been easily forgotten. Wolves, creatures controlled by people, and worse dangers lurking in the shadow of the mountains—they weren't words to be dismissed lightly. The air felt charged, as if the earth itself was bracing for whatever storm awaited them.
The trek was arduous, the path growing steeper as they approached the base of the mountain range. The landscape around them was wild and untamed, thick forests giving way to craggy rocks and jagged cliffs. The wind picked up, carrying with it the scent of pine and something far more ominous.
Damien kept a watchful eye on their surroundings, his hand never far from his sword, his instincts sharp. Ravenna, too, had become more alert, her senses heightened as she scanned their surroundings for any signs of movement.
"We should make camp here for the night," Damien said, his voice low as he glanced at the fading light. "Tomorrow, we head further into the mountains."
Ravenna nodded, though a part of her wanted to push forward. She could feel the weight of the journey pressing down on her, the gnawing fear that she wasn't fully prepared for what lay ahead. But she trusted Damien's judgment.
They set up camp quickly, the flickering flames of the fire casting long shadows on the rocks around them. As the night grew colder, they huddled together for warmth, the crackling of the fire and the distant howling of wolves the only sounds in the stillness.
Ravenna stared into the flames, her thoughts wandering. The image of the stranger's scarred face, the warning of wolves, and the mention of people controlling them—it all felt surreal. What could he have meant? And who were these people who wielded such power?
Damien sat beside her, his gaze far away. He, too, seemed lost in thought, his brow furrowed in concentration. After a long silence, he spoke, his voice barely above a whisper.
"The wolves aren't just animals," he said, his tone grave. "They're part of something much darker. There's a sect of people who can control them—shapeshifters, wolves who can become men. They're more dangerous than you can imagine."
Ravenna's heart skipped a beat. "Shapeshifters? You mean... werewolves?"
Damien nodded. "Yes. They've been hunting me for years. They're ruthless, and their master is even worse. Whoever controls them has an army of monsters at their disposal."
Ravenna shivered at the thought. She had always believed in the stories of magic and monsters, but to hear it from someone who had lived through it, someone who had faced it firsthand, was another matter entirely.
"So we're not just fighting wolves," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "We're fighting an entire army?"
Damien's eyes darkened, and he looked at her with an intensity that sent a chill down her spine. "Yes. And the worst part is, they know we're coming."
The weight of his words settled over her, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. The fire crackled between them, casting flickering shadows on their faces. Ravenna's thoughts raced, and her hand instinctively went to the hilt of her sword, her grip tightening.
She had been through countless battles, but this felt different. They weren't just fighting for survival—they were fighting for their lives, and possibly the lives of countless others who would be caught in the crossfire of whatever war was brewing.
"We'll make it," Ravenna said, her voice stronger than she felt. "We have to."
Damien's gaze softened as he turned to face her. "I know we will. But we need to be ready. They'll come at us from all sides. And when they do, we'll need to fight together—every step of the way."
Ravenna nodded, feeling the gravity of his words. She had always fought alone, relying on her skills and instincts to get by. But now, with Damien by her side, she realized that their strength lay in their unity. They would fight together, or not at all.
As the night deepened, the howls of the wolves grew louder, closer. It was a haunting sound, a reminder of what awaited them. But Ravenna was no longer afraid. With Damien at her side, she felt a sense of purpose and determination she hadn't known before.
The morning came quickly, and with it, a renewed sense of resolve. They packed their things and set off toward the mountains, knowing that the true test was about to begin.
The higher they climbed, the more treacherous the path became. The air grew thin, and the wind howled with a fierce intensity, as though the mountains themselves were alive and angry at their presence. But still, they pressed on.
By midday, they had reached a narrow pass between two towering cliffs. The ground beneath them was loose, and the air was heavy with the scent of something foul—decay, as though the earth itself was rotting. Damien's senses were on high alert as he scanned the area, his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"They're close," he muttered, his voice grim.
Ravenna nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. She could feel it too—something was out there, watching them, waiting for the right moment to strike.
As they moved cautiously through the pass, the silence was shattered by a low growl—deep and guttural. Then, out of the shadows, they emerged.
Wolves—massive, muscular creatures with glowing red eyes. Their fangs gleamed in the dim light, and their bodies rippled with unnatural power. They circled them, their growls growing louder, more threatening with every passing second.
"Stay close," Damien ordered, drawing his sword.
Ravenna unsheathed her own blade, her heart racing, but her resolve firm. They had come this far. They couldn't turn back now.
The wolves lunged in unison, their claws scraping against the rocks as they attacked.