The group studied the gemstone, their faces lighting up with excitement. However, they decided to temporarily set aside their curiosity and focus on the task at hand.

"Let's safely tuck it away for the moment. We'll distribute the loot evenly among the three of us once we've successfully navigated through the dungeon," Asher suggested, placing the crystallized heart of the FlameHowler into his pocket, right next to the one they had obtained from the zombified brute back in the abandoned prison dungeon. "For now, our priority is to locate the others. Time is limited, and we can only hope we're not too late."

Which path should we take first?" Liam asked, his eyes darting between the three distinct paths before them.

"Let's start with the left one," Carl suggested, his voice tinged with exhaustion.

“Carl, it’s clear that you’re exhausted and wounded,” Liam voiced his concern. “I think it’s in your best interest to remain here where it’s safe, at least for the time being. We don’t want to risk worsening your condition.”

"Liam, I appreciate your concern, but I'm in a condition to continue now." Carl insisted, his voice steady despite the evident exhaustion etched on his face. "Your friend's healing abilities have worked wonders on my injuries. I’m almost back to my full strength."

He glanced down at Ace, who sat attentively at his side, eyes filled with determination. "Besides, Ace and I are a team. His capabilities are significantly enhanced when I'm nearby. Leaving him to assist you alone wouldn't be as effective. I need to be there to ensure he can provide the maximum support."

Woof!

Ace straightened up, a resolute expression on his face, as he made it clear he was ready and willing to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Liam and Asher exchanged glances before nodding in agreement. "Alright, if you're sure you can handle it, we won't stop you. But promise us you'll speak up if things get too tough, okay?" Liam stated, concern evident in his tone.

Carl nodded, a grateful smile playing on his lips.

Without wasting another moment, the group moved towards the left path, their weapons at the ready and their senses heightened. The air grew colder as they progressed, and the walls of the canyon seemed to close in around them, creating a sense of confinement.

Ace led the way, his nose to the ground, occasionally stopping to sniff the air. This instincts as a tamed creature proving invaluable in navigating the dungeon.

As they walked, they noticed a unusual number of water puddles beginning to appear on their path. Initially dismissive, they soon realized that the puddles were growing in size, becoming more difficult to navigate around.

The atmosphere grew tense as the water puddles turned into small pools, and the group carefully picked their way through, trying to keep their footing on the slippery ground.

Finally, after navigating through the maze of water, they reached the end of the path. There, lying in a large puddle of water mixed with blood, was one individual. His face was submerged in the water, and his body was covered in numerous scars and wounds, evidence of a brutal struggle.

Carl's face fell as he recognized his fallen friend, and he rushed forward, his exhaustion forgotten in the face of loss. "No..." he whispered, his voice filled with grief.

As Carl knelt beside his fallen comrade, Asher’s voice cut through the heavy silence, laden with urgency and caution. “Carl, this wasn’t an accident; something or someone caused this. We can’t afford to let our guard down.”

Just as he warned, the atmosphere around them shifted, and the water puddles on the ground began to ripple and churn. The group instinctively tightened their grip on their weapons, senses heightened, as they scanned their surroundings for any sign of danger.

Suddenly, the stillness was shattered as something, sleek and swift, leapt out of a nearby puddle, water droplets flying in all directions.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

The creature in question landed gracefully on the ground, a majestic wolf, its eyes locked onto the group with a calm gaze. Its fur, a cascade of shimmering silver and blue, seems to emanate a faint glow. Intricate patterns, reminiscent of flowing water, adorned and intertwining its body. The wolf's eyes, deep and calm, pierce the void with an icy intensity. Etched atop its back, a great sword with a hilt stands tall, its blade glinting with a blue gleam. The wolf's tail, flowing and elegant, mirrors the color of a tranquil ocean.

https://i.imgur.com/nJA0rQC.png [https://i.imgur.com/nJA0rQC.png]

The group immediately fell into defensive stances, their hearts pounding in their chests as they faced this new, unpredictable threat. Ace, with a low growl, positioned himself protectively in front of Carl, his body tense and ready to act at any moment.

“Stay alert,” Liam cautioned, his eyes never leaving the wolf. “This creature can use the puddles to move around. Don’t let your guard down for a second.”

The wolf, undeterred by their readiness, let out a low growl, its eyes glinting with a calm ferocity to it. Without wasting a moment, it lunged forward, aiming for Carl.

Liam, quick on his feet, shot his weapon at the wolf, but in an instant, it vanished, reappearing behind him through another puddle. The water teleportation ability of the wolf caught them off guard, making it difficult to predict its next move.

"Watch out!" Asher shouted, trying to keep track of the wolf’s swift movements.

The wolf, manipulated the water around it, forming sharp, sword-like projections. With a swift movement, it hurled the water swords towards Liam. Reacting just in time, Asher's guardian rushed towards him and raised his shield, deflecting the projectiles, but the force of the impact pushed him back.

Carl, fueled by a mix of grief and anger after seeing his fallen comrade, steadied himself and focused. "We need to drain the water or avoid the puddles! That's its source of power!" he yelled, deducing the wolf's strength source.

As the group strategized and moved towards the drier area of the cavern, the water wolf, perceiving their intentions, swiftly retaliated to maintain its advantage. With a fluid motion and utilizing its hydrokinesis, the wolf manipulated the surrounding water, creating barriers and redirecting the flow to ensure the ground remained saturated.

“Damn it, it’s not letting us leave its domain!” Liam exclaimed, frustration evident in his voice as he punched at the water barrier, only for it to reform moments later.

The wolf, now more agitated, launched a relentless assault. It teleported rapidly between puddles, emerging from one and diving into another, creating a disorienting and unpredictable pattern of attacks.

Liam, gritting his teeth in determination, tried to anticipate the wolf’s movements, but the constant teleportation and water manipulation made it nearly impossible. “We need to find a way to counteract its abilities!” he shouted over the roar of the moving water.

Ace, sensing the wolf's direction, barked loudly and lunged at the wolf, trying to pin it down and prevent it from using the puddles. But the wolf, agile and slippery, evaded Ace’s attacks, leaving splashes of water in its wake.

Asher, realizing what just happened had an idea. “Liam, Carl! Ace is our only hope!” he yelled, gathering his energy.

"What do you mean?" Asked Carl.

“Ace can track it! His sense of smell can guide us to where the wolf will appear next!” Asher shouted, his eyes lighting up with a spark of hope.

Carl nodded, understanding the plan. “Alright, Ace, it’s all on you now, boy!” He encouraged the dog, who was already sniffing the air, trying to catch the wolf’s scent.

The water wolf, realizing that its advantage was diminishing, became more aggressive. It darted between puddles faster, trying to disorient Ace and the team. But Ace, determined and focused, kept his nose to the ground, his ears perked up as he tracked the wolf’s movements.

“Over there!” Carl pointed, following Ace’s line of sight as the wolf emerged from a puddle. The team quickly turned, ready to attack, but the wolf was faster, diving back into another puddle before they could land a hit.

“We’re close! Keep at it, Ace!” Asher encouraged, his heart pounding in his chest as the chase continued.

Ace, with a determined growl, continued to track the wolf, his movements swift and precise. The wolf, realizing it was being tracked, tried to throw Ace off by diving into multiple puddles at once, creating ripples and splashes in an attempt to confuse him.

But Ace was unyielding. He sniffed the air, his tail wagging as he locked onto the wolf’s scent. “This way!” he barked, signaling the team to follow.

As Ace clamped down on the water wolf, Liam quickly seized the opportunity and activated his Explosive Shot ability. With precise aim and a steady hand, he fired at the wolf, the shot hitting its mark and resulting in a powerful explosion. Water and steam erupted around them, momentarily obscuring their vision.

For a brief moment, the team believed they had finally managed to land a hit. However, their celebration was abruptly cut short as, from out of nowhere, a puddle beside them stirred, and the water wolf emerged, lunging straight at Ace with ferocious speed.

Before anyone could react, the wolf had struck, sending Ace tumbling across the floor. The team, shocked and confused, quickly regrouped, their eyes wide with realization.

“We’ve been tricked.” Asher muttered, his gaze fixed on the wolf as it prepared for another attack. “It wasn’t just teleporting. It can create clones using the water as a medium!”

Carl clenched his fists, frustration boiling within him. “We can’t let it use the water. We need to find a way to dry this place out or we’re sitting ducks!”