The fire was slowly dying, its once-vivid flames reduced to glowing embers. The warmth it had provided was fading, but Veil and Alynia, sated after their meal, remained near the dying coals, wrapped in a deceptive calm. The flickering glow still cast wavering shadows along the walls of the cave—a final bastion of light in the growing darkness.

A piercing scream suddenly tore through the air, a high-pitched, metallic shriek that seemed to slice through the night. Veil’s eyes snapped open, his body tensing instinctively. His heart pounded as he quickly turned toward the cave entrance.

Veil (internal thought, tense): What was that? That… wasn’t human.

A second cry followed, closer this time, echoing through the forest, accompanied by a low, menacing growl.

Alynia was already awake, her sharp gaze fixed on the entrance. Her ears twitched slightly, picking up the faintest vibrations in the air. Her tail swayed slowly, a clear sign of heightened alertness.

Alynia (watching the entrance, calm but focused): "They’re close."

She rose in a fluid motion, her movements precise and silent. Her blue eyes, glowing faintly in the dimness, remained locked on the outside, analyzing every sound.

Veil, still sluggish from sleep, grimaced as he tried to stand. His injured leg screamed in protest, waves of searing pain shooting through him, but he clenched his jaw, refusing to stay down.

Veil (panting, determined): "I… I can walk… I can fight."

He braced himself briefly against the cave wall for support, his breath coming in short, uneven gasps from the effort. His hand trembled slightly as he gripped his dagger, but he forced himself forward, trailing behind Alynia, determined not to be a burden.

Veil (internal thought, resolute): I won’t be dead weight. Not this time.

Outside, the forest stretched out beneath a dull, lifeless sky. Heavy clouds loomed above, smothering what little light remained, casting the landscape into an eerie half-darkness. The snow, thick and untouched, crunched softly under their steps as they cautiously emerged from the cave.

They didn’t have to wait long. Three massive wolves emerged from the treeline, their imposing silhouettes outlined in the dim light. Their pale blue fur seemed to shimmer faintly, as if coated in frost. Their yellow eyes pierced through the darkness like torches, and their deep growls rumbled through the icy air.

Veil (internal thought, nervous but focused): These wolves again… But this time, I’m not alone. We can beat them.

Alynia instinctively stepped in front of him, her muscles tense yet her movements controlled. Her fists clenched slightly, and her narrowed eyes locked onto the wolves with absolute concentration.

Alynia (calm but wary): "CryoWolves. Their growl and movement always give them away."

Veil’s grip on his dagger tightened. His breath came in short bursts, his heart pounding like a war drum.

Veil (internal thought, tense): They’re back… The same wolves. But this time, I have to fight—I have no choice.

Above them, two large raptors circled slowly in the gray sky. Their brilliant white plumage seemed almost unreal, glistening in the faint light. But as Veil observed them more closely, he noticed something chilling—their feathers had a rigid, bladelike texture, sharp and ready to tear.

Alynia (gesturing toward the birds, curtly): "And the Nivëa. The worst kind of scavengers. They always wait for their prey to weaken before striking."

She shot a quick glance at Veil, her eyes analyzing him with calculated precision.

Alynia (cold, commanding): "I’ll handle the birds. You deal with the wolves."

Veil opened his mouth to protest, but no words came out. Before he could react, Alynia had already leaped into action, her swift, precise movements leaving barely a trace in the fresh snow.

She raised her hand toward the sky, and the moisture in the air seemed to tremble in response. A thin mist formed around her fingers, rapidly solidifying into two shimmering liquid spears. With a sharp motion, she hurled them toward the Nivëa.

The birds let out a piercing screech and darted away in a split second, narrowly dodging Alynia’s projectiles. She didn’t pause, her relaxed stance hiding an unyielding focus.

Meanwhile, Veil tightened his grip on his dagger.

Veil (internal thought, nervous but focused): Three wolves… Three against one. I just have to hold on. Just hold on.

The CryoWolves advanced slowly, their deep, menacing growls echoing in the suffocating silence. Every step they took sank into the snow, creating an oppressive rhythm that pounded against Veil’s nerves.

One of the wolves suddenly halted, its hind legs tensing like a drawn bowstring. Veil instinctively stepped back, dagger at the ready, but despite himself, his hand was trembling.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Veil (quick breaths, nearly panicked): "Too close… Too close!"

His gaze darted between the wolves, frantically trying to anticipate their attack. Their silent coordination was terrifying.

Veil (internal thought, fighting panic): Stay calm. They won’t get me. Keep moving.

One of the wolves lunged, shattering the heavy tension and turning it into immediate danger. Veil had no time to think.

The first CryoWolf leaped, its dripping fangs bared. Veil rolled to the side on pure instinct, his shoulder slamming hard against the frozen ground. Pain flared through his arm, but he had no time to stop. Gasping for breath, he forced himself upright, dagger ready.

But the second wolf was already on him, fast and relentless.

He barely raised his dagger in time, the blade clashing against the beast’s jaws with a sharp, metallic ring.

Veil (shouting, desperate): "Let go of me!"

He pushed with all his strength, his arm trembling under the pressure. The wolf, heavier and stronger, didn’t relent. Its jaws clamped tightly around the blade, as if trying to snap the weapon in half or disarm Veil by sheer brute force.

The third CryoWolf charged from the flank, its yellow eyes gleaming with predatory ferocity. Veil tried to move, but his injured leg flared with pain. A sharp, searing sensation shot through his body, tearing a cry from his throat.

Veil (cry of pain): "ARGH!"

He staggered, his breathing growing erratic, each inhale a struggle against adrenaline and panic.

Above, Alynia was engaged in her own battle. The first water spear she had formed pierced through a Nivëa with lethal precision, the bird letting out a shrill screech before crashing heavily into the snow.

The second Nivëa, more aggressive, dove straight at her, its razor-sharp talons aimed at her head. Alynia sidestepped effortlessly, dodging at the last second with natural grace. She extended her hand again, and the moisture in the air instantly condensed, shaping into another weapon of liquid precision.

Below, Veil was desperately trying to regain control. The wolves tightened their circle, their deep growls reverberating through the cold air like an inevitable warning.

Veil (panting, panicked): "I can't... I can't!"

His breath was short, almost erratic, his mind drowning in fear. Memories of his first encounter with these beasts resurfaced, clouding his thoughts.

Veil (internal thought, despairing): They're too many... too fast... Why do I even think I can do this?

One of the wolves leaped, its sharp claws tearing through Veil’s clothes. The force of the impact sent him crashing to the ground, the hard snow slamming against the back of his skull. He gasped, his vision wavering from the shock.

The crushing weight of the CryoWolf pinned his chest, making it impossible to breathe properly. Its claws tore through the fabric of his coat, while its fangs inched closer to his face. The beast’s growls filled his mind, suffocating his will under a wave of sheer terror.

But just as the creature’s jaws were mere inches from his skin, an unexpected warmth surged within him.

Veil (roaring in fury): "NO!"

He gritted his teeth, fear melting into raw, desperate rage. His fingers tightened around the dagger still clutched in his hand, and he gathered every ounce of strength he had left for a final counterattack.

A sharp sound cut through the air. A blurred figure flashed across his vision—swift and precise, like a shadow slicing through the chaos.

The CryoWolf was suddenly thrown aside with a muffled yelp, its body rolling heavily across the snow. A vivid red stain quickly spread beneath it, the hot blood stark against the pristine white ground.

The suffocating weight vanished from Veil’s chest. Icy forest air rushed into his lungs—burning, yet invigorating—but his relief was short-lived. A searing pain shot through his injured leg, relentless and overwhelming, forcing a grimace onto his face.

Veil (gritting his teeth, panting): "Argh… my leg… it’s unbearable."

Slowly, still dazed, he opened his eyes—and the sight before him stole his breath.

Alynia stood above him, her stance low and predatory, every muscle taut like a bowstring drawn to its limit. Her piercing blue gaze locked onto the three remaining CryoWolves, unwavering. In her hand, her dagger gleamed in the dim light, its blade reflecting the gray haze surrounding them.

Her claws, fully extended and razor-sharp, glistened faintly under the dull light, silent proof of her heightened alertness.

Alynia (sharp, commanding tone): "Get up. Now."

Her voice cracked through the air like a blade—cutting, absolute. It wasn’t a request, but an order. And her piercing gaze seemed to reach straight into Veil’s soul.

Veil (internal thought, ashamed and frustrated): Again… she has to save me again. I can’t even fend for myself.

He pressed a hand against his leg, feeling the pulsing heat of pain beneath the bandage. His ragged breathing betrayed the turmoil raging inside him, but he clenched his teeth, refusing to give in.

Veil (trembling, trying to stand): "I… I’m trying. But this damn leg…!"

Alynia watched him for a moment, her eyes gleaming with calculated intensity.

Alynia (firm but not cold): "I can’t protect you forever. If you want to survive, learn to fight—even with a useless leg."

Those words, spoken calmly, hit Veil like a punch to the gut. Shame and anger churned inside him, but he couldn’t deny the truth in her voice. Gritting his teeth, he used his dagger for support, pushing himself up on his good leg.

Veil (internal thought, furious with himself): She’s right… but why does it have to be this hard? Why am I so… weak?

Once standing, though unsteady, he tightened his grip on the dagger. The constant ache in his leg roared like a dull thunder, but he forced it to the back of his mind, focusing solely on the remaining wolves.

Alynia (observing his effort, slightly mocking): "Finally on your feet. Don’t make me regret helping you up."

Without waiting for a reply, she sprang forward, launching herself at the nearest CryoWolf with relentless precision.

The dagger in her hand pierced deep into the beast’s side. It thrashed violently, growling and clawing at the snow in a desperate frenzy. With a swift motion, Alynia raked her claws across its throat, silencing it in an instant.

She straightened slightly, her gaze locked onto the two remaining wolves with icy concentration.

Veil (internal thought, impressed and envious): She moves like a predator. She knows exactly what to do… And me? I’m just dead weight.

He tightened his grip on the dagger, his knuckles turning white under the pressure. Despite the pain, despite the fear, he felt a flicker of rage ignite within him.

Veil (internal thought, determined): I’ll prove I’m not just dead weight. Not this time.

Veil didn’t even have time to react. As he struggled to steady himself on his injured leg, Alynia was already moving, her body a blur of precision and lethality.

The two remaining CryoWolves, undeterred by their fallen companion, showed no signs of retreat. Their growls deepened, ears flattened against their skulls, and in a split second, they lunged forward in unison. Their bared fangs, glistening with saliva, aimed straight for Alynia.

She sidestepped the first with fluid ease, her dagger striking with surgical precision. The blade sank into the beast’s throat with a sharp, clean sound, cutting its attack short. The wolf collapsed into the snow, its lifeless body sliding slightly before coming to a complete stop.

The second wolf attempted a flanking attack, but Alynia pivoted effortlessly. Her claws, silver flashes in the dim light, raked across the beast’s flank, tearing through flesh. A brief but piercing cry escaped the wolf as it staggered, its ragged breaths forming misty clouds in the freezing air before it, too, crumpled heavily to the ground.

In an instant, it was over. The CryoWolves lay motionless in the snow, their bodies frozen in final stillness.

Silence fell, broken only by the biting wind sweeping through the forest.

Veil remained on the ground, propped up on one arm, his injured leg pulsing with pain. His gaze was locked onto his trembling hands, his breath shallow and erratic.

Veil (internal thought, bitter): She took them all down… And me? I was useless. Again. Too weak to even stay on my feet.

His fists clenched, nails digging into his palms, but he didn’t move. The weight of failure pressed down on him, suffocating and inescapable.

Alynia stood amidst the fallen CryoWolves, methodically wiping the blood from her dagger and claws with a fold of her cloak. Her gaze landed on Veil—hard, but not cruel.

Alynia (calm but firm voice): "Rest. But next time, you’ll stay on your feet."

Her words carried an undeniable weight, a mix of promise and warning.

Veil lifted his gaze to her, his face caught between shame and gratitude. He opened his mouth, searching for a response, but no words came.

The icy wind howled through the forest, carrying away the scent of blood and the oppressive silence, leaving only the gentle descent of snow over the motionless bodies of the wolves.