The low flames of a dying campfire cast flickering shadows on seven travelers in the dense Asiran forest: six mercenaries and one weapons servant. Their makeshift circle under tangled branches offered little warmth, and their worries were far more pressing than the night's chill—prowling creatures, hostile soldiers, and the mysteries of this foreign land.
Zaher, the broad-shouldered Captain, stood apart at the clearing's edge, eyes narrowed into the darkness. His hand hovered near the hilt of his sword. "Staying put is dangerous," he said quietly. "We're too close to the Asir patrol routes. We need to push on until we see the Jazedir Range. From there, we break for Scissia city in the mountains."
Mulaz, lanky and marked by a thin scar across his cheek, glowered from a half-rotted log. "What if those mountains aren't as close as you think, Captain? Blundering around after dark could land us in worse trouble."
Naleera, wiry and wrapped in a black headscarf, lifted her chin. "So we just wait here? We've heard about wolves, bears… balakai." At that last word, the group fell tense. "I'd rather keep moving."
Bazhir folded his arms, a humorless chuckle escaping him. "We've already crossed the Asiran military. Let's not make it easy for them to catch us sleeping."
Quadir shrugged, a gesture of strained indifference. "Then we head northeast. Better to meet danger on our feet than lie down for it."
Samir opened his mouth to add something when twigs snapped beyond the treeline. Everyone grabbed for weapons—then froze when Eujal stumbled into the firelight. Thin and hollow-eyed, he gripped three dead rabbits, blood staining his torn sleeve.
"You're hurt," Naleera said, gesturing to a scrape on his arm, blood trickling onto the ground.
Eujal lowered his gaze. "Just a scratch," he muttered.
Mulaz scowled. "Only three rabbits? What were you doing, napping?"
"I... I found a creek. There were dozens of them running in the same direction," Eujal said, frowning at his injured arm. "I only managed to catch these."
Bazhir let out a short laugh. "Dozens, and you settled for three?"
Eujal's cheeks flushed. "I… didn't want to stay out too long."
Samir snatched one of the rabbits from him. "We're half-starving, and you bring us three skinny hares."
Zaher grabbed another rabbit, turning it over with obvious disappointment. "Look at you—panting like some lost dog, arm torn open. You're bleeding all over the place. Go wrap that up."
Eujal nodded and dug in his pack, but Mulaz tossed him a dirty bandage first. "Use this," Mulaz said, impatience edging his voice.
"S-sorry," Eujal mumbled, gingerly binding his forearm. He hated how tightly it needed to be wrapped.
"Wait, you said there were dozens of rabbits," Naleera prompted, raising a brow. "All running the same way?"
Eujal glanced off to the side. "Like a stampede, except just… rabbits. They were racing by."
Zaher frowned, stepping in closer. "Or running from something. And that 'something' might still be around."
Samir resumed skinning a hare, muttering under his breath. He knew what was coming, and that his actions at the present moment were in vain. Zaher rose, brushing dust off his hands. "It's unfortunate that we can't have something to eat right now. But we can't risk anything, especially in foreign territory. We should go—quickly."
They all grumbled, but nobody argued. Despite the fresh catch, leaving was safer.
Bazhir laughed hollowly and stood, kicking dirt onto the fire. "I'd rather keep going than get caught mid-meal."
----
The embers hissed as the mercenaries extinguished the campfire. Smoke drifted in the chill air while Zaher took point with his sword unsheathed and a torch in hand. Naleera and Bazhir advanced at his sides, Mulaz and Quadir behind them, and Samir and Eujal brought up the rear. Twigs and thorns snared at their clothes, each step rustling the undergrowth. Apart from that, silence ruled the forest.
Still nursing his wound, Eujal struggled to keep up. Each time a shape stirred in the shadows, he flinched, prompting Samir to give him a sharp kick—part punishment, part frustration. Eujal inwardly accepted the blows; after all, he wasn't caring for their weapons as he was supposed to. It made him feel useless.
They traveled for nearly an hour without seeing the Jazedir range. Worse, it felt like they were descending into a valley instead of climbing. Eujal had a faint hope the land might slope up on the other side, leading them to Scissia, but that hope was beginning to wane.
Suddenly, Zaher lifted a hand, halting the group. "Hold," he whispered. "There's something out there."
Eujal leaned around Quadir, trying to peer into the shadows. He saw nothing, yet a distant grinding noise rolled through the night. Then, a low growl.
Weapons flicked out in unison. The mercenaries fanned out, forming a tense semi-circle. Eujal hovered uselessly at the back, uncertain whether to draw a blade or stay low.
It crashed into view—a hulking shape that clawed its way through brush. A thick, scaled hide covered its bloated body, a singular horn jutting from its snout. Teeth like daggers glistened with saliva, and two beady eyes roamed the group. Eujal swallowed. A balakai.
Zaher spread his stance, screaming at the beast in an attempt to drive it off. The creature responded with a roar so loud, Eujal's bones seemed to vibrate. Earth sprayed from its claws. Its fetid breath turned the air foul.
"Shit!" Zaher cursed, staggering backward. "It's charging!"
The balakai barreled forward in a split second, horn aimed at Zaher's chest. He sidestepped at the last moment, hacking at its side. Steel scraped uselessly against scales. The beast whipped its powerful tail, forcing Zaher to dive away.
Naleera and Bazhir lunged in to help, blades cutting at the balakai's flanks. Their strikes glanced off the creature's armor-like hide, accomplishing little more than drawing its attention. They darted around it in frantic arcs, slashing at the beast whenever they could.
Eujal looked on in dread. He saw the balakai shift its stance, its eyes suddenly focusing on Naleera, who was circling too close. The beast pivoted off its left foot. Eujal recognized the deadly timing a heartbeat too late.
"NALEERA, NO!" he shouted, voice cracking.
Naleera turned—just in time to see the horn slice toward her. But she couldn't dodge the balakai's jaws. In a single brutal instant, the creature tore a chunk of her shoulder free, and her screams tore through the hush of the forest.