The sky once sunny turned dark red as Oliver walked along the dirt path, it lead towards... something? He had never been outside the village before, but he had seen many merchants and travellers use the dusty road. A map was in his hand, which showed him where the dirt path lead to. Conveniently, the map had the names of many places. With Wrenwood being marked on it as well, so he had a good idea of where he was.

“Arcane... city...?” He asked himself as he read the map. “I wonder what it looks like.... Maybe I can get some information on the shadow there.”

As he continued his walk down the road, he heard something moving in the forest. He turned his head away from the map into the dense forest beside him.

“H-hello?” Oliver called out, “Is anyone in there?” But there was no response. Except for a growl or two, or... five, and as they got closer, the figures became more apparent... wolves.

Oliver immediately sprinted at full speed. Completely leaving the map behind him as he ran down the road screaming for help. “Someone! Help Please!” He Yelled as he continued running, the wolves gaining on him with every Step.

He tripped on his own footing in the frantic dash landing his face into the dirt. And not long after, the wolves pulled on his bag and clothes and skin all at once trying to get some nutrition from his blood as they sank into the flesh of his limbs “AUUUUGGA!!” he screamed even louder...

‘Am I gonna die here?’ Oliver thought as he looked up at the night sky, ‘I didn’t even get to do anything.’ his one eye closed as he winced in pain from the wolves pulling at his flesh ‘I’m sorry Father, Mother. I wasn’t strong enough...’ he felt his femur crack “AAAHHHHHHG!!”

‘I’m so sorry....’ He closed his eye ready to accept his fate.

A shot of Ice flew at one of the wolves killing it instantly, but before the others could react, an ice ball was shot directly at another forehead. The wolves turned to see a woman in a green vest, black shorts and knee high boots with black hair and green eyes pointing what was a long staff with a diamond shaped pattern on it, a serious expression on her face, “Wolves aren’t usually in these parts of the woods.” she said, “So I take it your master’s nearby?” she asked still looking at the wolves expecting an answer.

The little boy opened his eye when he saw the woman. ‘An Aurili?’ He thought.

“...Perhaps” One of the wolves responded with a snarl. “And what is it to you? This part of the forest is my territory... leave.”

“Not possible.” She said as she spun the stick in her hand. “I actually came to kill your master.” she said, her voice as cold as her magic. “The embassy’s been getting complaints from families about some missing merchants...” Her calm face changed into one of annoyance. “And for some stupid reason, they sent me here to deal with it... those ass holes.”

Just then, dozens of wolves came out of the deep forest surrounding the lady as well as the wolves on the boy “This is your final warning... we want no qualms with you.” the alpha said.

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“Of course, just show me the way to your master, and the kid’s yours.” she replied with a nonchalant stare.

“WHA?” Oliver chimed in “But why?”

“Sorry kid nothing personal.” she replied. “I just really wanna get this night over with.”

“But they’ll eat me!”

“Yup!” one of the other wolves exclaimed.

“Silence!” the alpha barked “We are not bargaining with you! Now get out!”

The woman sighed as she turned her attention to the boy, rubbing her temple with her left hand. “Well kid, looks like its your lucky day...”

“Attack!!!” the Alpha barked.

At that moment, all the other wolves ran straight towards the woman. She slammed her staff on the ground, releasing a massive amount of ice on the floor, causing all the wolves around her to slip. Then, turning her staff in a circular motion, an icy breeze eminating from the staff froze all the wolves around her before slamming it on the ground once more forcing the iced wolves to fight the remaining flesh ones.

“Hey kid!” She calls, “Can you stand?”

“N-no, I think my leg’s broken.” Oliver replied.

“Seriously?” She said as she dropped her shoulders. “Ugh.” She then taps her staff on the floor again, causing the boy to suddenly begin sliding on the ice towards her.

“Stop!!!” The alpha wolf snarled as he ran straight for the boy, but as he was about to get a bite in, a huge wall of ice appeared blocking the straight path to him. “How dare you!”

“Hey, you refused the deal. Not me.” she said nonchalantly.

“I will kill you!” It growled.

“I would strongly advice against it...”

“DAMN YOU!” The alpha charged straight at her going for the neck, only for a moment later be frozen solid before he even got a chance.

“Idiot...” She replied as she looked at the frozen wolf “anyone els-” The remaining wolves turned tail and ran. “Wait!, I need your masters’-” They all dissipated “location...” She sighed as she turned to Oliver

“Don’t suppose you know any Botanos around these parts?”

“Botanos?”

“Great... He’s Illiterate too.” the woman sighed in defeat as she trekked passed Oliver.

“W-Wait I need help, I can’t walk...”

“Well that’s a you problem, sorry.”

“Please I can’t survive with just one functioning leg!” Oliver yelled.

“Well, I’m sure if you were sensible, you wouldn’t leave your home in the middle of the night.” she sighed. “Just stay in that wall, I’ll tell your parents where you are.”

“They...they’re dead.” The woman stopped.

Oliver’s breath shook. “Everyone in my village is... dead.” He continued “They were massacred by a shadow. I... I’m...the only survivor. Please... I don’t know where else to go...”

the Lady’s pragmatic demeanour changed. “Goodness... of all the times.”