Thessaly jolted awake, the sound of the snowstorm raging outside the cave echoing through her thoughts. The dense forest had been their domain for the past three days, a miserable, unyielding expanse of cold and rain. The Adventurer's Guild of La'Hara had deemed this mission high priority, enlisting her from the Holy Order and even summoning aid from the Mage's Guild. Yet, as she gazed across the dimly lit cave, her doubts only grew.
The "aid" in question sat huddled near the edge of the fire, a scrawny boy no older than fourteen or fifteen. His black robes, far too large for his frame, pooled around him as he hugged his knees. Shy and withdrawn, he barely interacted with the others. Thorne, they had called him. A name she wouldn't have remembered had it not been repeated by the leader of their group so insistently.
She sighed, brushing a hand across her stained white robes. The once-pristine fabric now bore streaks of mud and grime, a far cry from the temple halls of the capital where she belonged.
"What are you doing, holy sister?"
A voice pulled Thessaly from her thoughts. She turned to see a burly man stepping out from the shadows of the cave, his wide grin and lumbering gait showing no trace of weariness from the journey.
"I was hoping this storm would end," she replied, letting out a weary sigh. "I'd like this assignment to be over as soon as possible."
The man laughed, his deep voice rumbling. "Don't we all? But if the guild's so keen on this job, maybe there's something to it."
Thessaly glanced at him as he adjusted his gear, the polished steel of his armor catching faint reflections from the fire. His plate armor was not just functional but ornately designed, with engraved patterns along the edges that hinted at his rank within the order. The hammer at his side looked like it could crush boulders with ease, its weight balanced by a sturdy leather grip that bore the marks of heavy use. His shield, slung over his back, was no less impressive—large enough to cover his upper body, it bore the sigil of their faith.
Even beneath all the steel, Aldric's sheer physical presence was striking. His broad shoulders and towering frame gave him the appearance of an immovable force, and his confident posture only reinforced the impression. Thessaly had known him long enough to recognize the sharp mind behind his rugged features, though his unkempt hair and scruffy beard gave him an almost roguish air.
"You always seem so at ease," she said, shaking her head as she leaned against the cave wall. "How do you manage it?"
Aldric chuckled again, the sound as solid as the armor he wore. "Simple. You focus on what's in front of you. Storms, monsters —I'll face whatever comes."
Thessaly said nothing, her thoughts drifting again. The Holy Order had called upon her for this mission because of her battlefield experience during the northern empire's incursion years ago. The memories of that war still haunted her—snowy fields littered with the dead, screams piercing the icy air, and the hollow stares of those who survived. This forest felt nothing like that, and yet, a lingering unease gnawed at her.
"Good morning, everyone!"
A cheerful voice called out as their archer approached the group, her bright smile cutting through the gloom. Thessaly couldn't help but envy the half-elf's boundless energy. Her slim frame and graceful movements seemed immune to exhaustion, even after days of trudging through the rain-soaked wilderness.
"Half-elf endurance," Thessaly muttered to herself with a hint of bitterness.
The half-elf tilted her head, her pointed ears twitching slightly. "Did you say something, Thess?"
"Nothing," Thessaly replied, shaking her head. Her gaze drifted to Thorne again. The boy glanced up briefly, his eyes meeting hers for a fleeting moment before darting back to the ground.
She sighed again, deeper this time. Why would the guild waste resources on this? The Empire loomed at their northern border, tensions simmering dangerously close to conflict. Diverting both the Holy Order and the Mage's Guild for a mission like this felt absurd.
"Just one more day," she whispered to herself. "One more day, and we'll be back home."
The snowstorm broke as dawn crept over the horizon, its gray skies hinting at the end of winter [https://img.wattpad.com/b0e7cd20c070d22e502a7b99bcb4021d7dd939ff/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f73664e75586431687231366c6f773d3d2d313530313139393435382e313830663035316132363265636332623338363431333439353033302e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
The snowstorm broke as dawn crept over the horizon, its gray skies hinting at the end of winter. The snow, piled in uneven mounds, glittered in the muted light. The air was cold but no longer biting as Thessaly led the group deeper into the forest. Each step crunched against the brittle snow, their breaths forming faint clouds in the chilled air.
"I suppose we can head back to the guild now," Thessaly murmured to herself. "Report we found nothing unusual."
Just as the words left her lips—
"I found something!" the archer's voice rang out from ahead, her sharp tone cutting through the quiet.
"What is it, Sylwen?" Thessaly called as she and the others hurried toward the half-elf.
Sylwen crouched low, her slender fingers brushing over the snow-dusted ground near scattered remnants of wood and fabric. The remains of a merchant's cart lay strewn across the area, its shattered timbers jutting out like jagged teeth.
"Bandits?" the knight suggested, his thick brows furrowed in thought.
"No," Sylwen replied, lifting a leather bag from the wreckage. She gave it a quick shake, the unmistakable jingle of coins spilling into the crisp air.
"What bandit would leave this behind?"
A tense silence fell over the group. The wind picked up, whistling through the trees and scattering loose snow into the air like ghostly tendrils. A shiver ran through Thessaly—not from the cold, but from the sudden weight in the atmosphere.
"Something's wrong," she muttered.
The sound came suddenly: a faint rustle in the forest ahead. Thessaly's head snapped toward the source, her sharp instincts honed from years of battlefield experience.
"There," she said, pointing to the shadowy depths of the woods.
The half-elf moved like a predator, swift and deliberate. She knocked an arrow to her bow, the string taut as her keen eyes tracked the faint movement. With a breathless silence, she let loose two arrows in quick succession, their trajectory disappearing into the dense foliage.
An impact echoed—a dull, wet thud that carried an eerie resonance.
For a moment, all was still. Then, from the forest's shadowy embrace, two figures emerged, their movements stiff and unnatural, as though their limbs were controlled by unseen strings.
Cloaked in dark, tattered robes that barely clung to their decayed frames, they seemed more like wraiths than corporeal beings. The frayed fabric fluttered in the icy wind, revealing glimpses of gray, withered flesh stretched taut over jagged bone.
Their faces—or what remained of them—were shrouded in darkness beneath deep hoods, but faint glimmers of crimson light pulsed where eyes should have been, burning with malevolent intent.
A sickly sweet stench of decay filled the air, turning Thessaly's stomach. Her grip on her mace tightened as she willed herself to push aside the rising wave of fear, her mind steadying with the resolve.
"Form up!" she barked.
The team moved instinctively, years of training taking over as they formed a protective semicircle.
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Sylwen's bow sang again as she loosed another arrow, but this time the figures didn't falter.
"They're not human," Aldric muttered, gripping his hammer tighter as he stepped forward.
Thessaly's hand hovered over the hilt of her mace, her other hand glowing faintly with divine light. "Be ready," she said, her voice steady despite the rising tension.
One of the figures began to sprint, their unnatural movements even more unnerving at closer range. Its empty eyes locked on the group, their shriveled mouth parting as if to scream, but no sound emerged.
"Stay focused!" Thessaly commanded, the holy light in her hand intensifying.
The cloaked figure leapt high into the air, a dark blur silhouetted against the pale light of the storm's aftermath, its claws outstretched toward the boy, who lingered nervously at the rear.
"Look out!" Sylwen shouted.
Before the young man could react, Aldric lunged forward. With a thunderous clang, his shield intercepted the creature mid-flight, the force of the impact sending the assailant tumbling to the snow.
Aldric didn't falter. He adjusted his stance, standing firm between the boy and the attacker. His towering frame seemed unshaken by the strike, his face breaking into a confident grin.
The creature rose, its dark red eyes glowing beneath the tattered remains of its hood. Two grotesque arms emerged from the shadows of its robe, their elongated fingers tipped with claws that gleamed like polished steel.
"Not today," Aldric growled, his voice like rolling thunder. "Stay behind me boy!"
He shifted his weight, planting his feet firmly into the snow, his shield raised and ready. The crimson glow from the creature's hollow eyes bore into him, but Aldric stood unshaken, the faint sheen of frost glinting off his polished armor.
Across the clearing, the other creature stood motionless. Its robed form was barely visible against the darkness of the forest, but it's sinister, unblinking stare was fixed on Thessaly. It was as though the creature was studying her, gauging her strength before making its move.
"Thess, I need your assistance!" Sylwen's sharp voice jolted Thessaly into action.-
With a resolute nod, she raised her hand and began chanting a quiet prayer, her words carrying a soft, melodic cadence.
A radiant glow surrounded her outstretched fingers, and moments later, Sylwen's bow shimmered with the same divine light.
"Make it count," Thessaly murmured as she stepped forward, her mace raised.
The cleric charged toward the motionless figure, determination burning in her eyes.
The creature waited, unmoving, until the last possible moment. Then, with an almost serpentine grace, it twisted aside, avoiding Thessaly's strike entirely. Its movements were unnervingly fluid, more like a shadow coming to life than flesh and bone.
Sylwen didn't hesitate. her hands a blur as she drew and released two arrows, the golden projectiles cutting through the air like streaks of light.
But the creature moved again, its body contorting unnaturally to evade each shot.
"Damn it!" Sylwen muttered, her voice edged with frustration as she reached for another arrow.
"It's too fast!"
Aldric, meanwhile, had his hands full with the first attacker. The creature's claws raked against his shield, sparks flying with each vicious swipe.
Aldric countered with powerful swings of his hammer, each strike reverberating through the air with enough force to shatter stone. Yet the creature dodged with unnerving speed, weaving in and out of his range like a predator testing its prey's defenses.
"Stay close!" Aldric bellowed, his voice cutting through the chaos.
"Don't let them separate us!"
The boy cowered at the center of the group, his trembling hands clutching his staff. Thessaly spared him a brief glance as she fell back, panting from her exchange with the elusive enemy.
"Thorne!" she shouted, her voice steady despite the rising tension. "Focus! You need to help!"
The boy flinched, his eyes wide with panic, but nodded hesitantly. He began to chant, his voice shaky but growing steadier as his words carried the faint hum of magic. A faint glow enveloped his staff, and moments later, a burst of light shot toward the creature facing Aldric. The blast wasn't powerful enough to do much damage, but it distracted the assailant just long enough for Aldric to land a brutal shield bash, sending it staggering.
"That's more like it!" Aldric roared, pressing his advantage.
On the other side of the clearing, Thessaly and Sylwen pressed on with their coordinated assault.
"It's toying with us," Thessaly said, gripping her mace tightly.
Sylwen's sharp eyes scanned the forest.
"This isn't over yet. There's more out there. I can feel it."
The air grew colder, a sinister presence creeping in from the depths of the forest. The battle wasn't just a test of strength—it was a game of survival against an enemy that seemed to know their every move.
And from the shadows, unseen eyes watched, calculating and waiting.
Aldric's warhammer connected with a resounding crack, shattering the eerie stillness of the forest. The force of the blow sent the creature staggering back, its hood torn away to reveal a skeletal face. Its hollow eye sockets burned with a hatred so palpable it made the air around them seem heavier.
The creature let out a guttural bellow, its clawed hands twitching as if driven by pure rage. Without hesitation, it lunged forward, slashing at Aldric's side with its elongated claws. He twisted to avoid the worst of the attack, but the claws scraped along his armor, leaving deep gashes in the metal. Aldric hissed as he felt warm blood trickling down his torso beneath the dented steel.
"This is nothing!" he growled, gripping his warhammer tightly as he steadied his stance. His eyes burned with defiance as he prepared for the next exchange.
Across the clearing, Thessaly and Sylwen were locked in a desperate struggle. The second robed assailant moved with an almost unnatural grace, dodging Sylwen's enchanted arrows and countering with powerful kicks that forced the pair to retreat. Each strike sapped their energy, the relentless assault wearing them down.
"We need to get out of here," Thessaly shouted, her breathing labored.
"We're at a disadvantage!"
Sylwen, her bowstring taut with another nocked arrow, nodded sharply.
"Aldric!" she called out, her voice cutting through the chaos.
"Get ready to fall back!"
The creatures didn't advance immediately. Both stood eerily still, their glowing eyes locked onto their prey, as if savoring the fear and exhaustion etched into their faces.
Thessaly began to chant, her voice carrying a melodic cadence as she raised her mace high. The creature closest to her reacted violently, its frenzied shriek piercing the air as it lunged toward her with renewed fury.
"Sylwen!" Aldric shouted, as he pointed to the charging monstrosity.
"I've got it!" The half-elf replied, her voice steady as she released her arrow. The enchanted projectile struck true, piercing the creature's shoulder and halting its advance just long enough for Thessaly to finish her prayer.
The air grew heavy with divine energy, the ground beneath them trembling as Thessaly's chant reached its crescendo.
A blinding light erupted from her outstretched hand, engulfing the entire battlefield in a radiant glow. The creatures howled in confusion, their skeletal forms momentarily frozen in the brilliance.
When the light finally faded, the clearing was empty. Aldric, Sylwen,Thorne and Thessaly were gone, their escape shrouded by the holy radiance.
The monsters stood motionless for a moment, their hollow eyes scanning the empty field. But confusion quickly gave way to renewed rage. They let out inhuman roars before breaking into a relentless pursuit, their clawed feet tearing into the ground as they chased after the fleeing group.
As they ran through the forest, Thessaly stumbled, her steps faltering as her hand pressed tightly against her side. Beneath her stained white robes, a dark red blotch was rapidly spreading. She grimaced, her breath ragged.
"It got me," she said weakly, her legs giving out beneath her.
Aldric didn't hesitate. With a single motion, he scooped her up into his arms, his strong frame bearing her weight as though she were a feather.
His face was grim, his usual bravado replaced with a steely determination.
"Can't you use your healing magic on this?" The half-elf asked, her voice tinged with worry as she glanced at Thessaly, her sharp eyes catching the pale hue overtaking her face.
"I... I can't," Thessaly admitted, her voice trembling. "I don't feel it... I can't reach my deity."
Sylwen's eyes widened in alarm. Thessaly's magic was the group's lifeline, and without it, their chances of survival plummeted.
Blood continued to drip from the cleric's wound, staining Aldric's armor and the forest floor beneath them.
"We need to stop the bleeding," Sylwen urged, her hands clenching tightly around her bow.
Thorne, who had been lagging behind the group, finally caught up, his face pale as he glanced nervously at Thessaly.
"Is she... will she be okay?" he asked in a trembling voice, his hands clutching his staff tightly.
"We'll make sure she is," Aldric growled, his voice laced with urgency.
"Kid, keep an eye on the rear. If those things catch up, you'll need to slow them down."
Thorne nodded quickly, though his hands were shaking. He glanced over his shoulder into the dark forest, the sound of distant howls making his heart race.
"I... I'll do my best," he stammered, gripping his staff with white knuckles.
"We need to keep moving," Sylwen said firmly, her sharp gaze scanning their surroundings. Her pointed ears twitched, catching faint sounds that the others couldn't.
"There's a village to the south," she added quickly.
"I know a few people there. We could probably enlist their help and notify the city."
Thessaly nodded faintly, her strength waning.
"Then that's where we'll go," she murmured, her eyes fluttering shut as exhaustion began to overtake her.
"Keep her awake!" Sylwen shouted, panic rising in her voice.
"I've got her," Aldric reassured, his voice calm but strained.
He adjusted his grip on Thessaly and continued marching, his boots crunching through the underbrush with unwavering resolve.
The boy trailed behind, his staff at the ready, his green eyes darting nervously between the shadows of the forest. The oppressive silence was broken only by their labored breaths and the distant howls of their pursuers.
"Kid, light up the path," Sylwen ordered sharply.
The young mage nodded and muttered an incantation. A faint orb of light appeared above his staff, illuminating their way forward.
"Good, keep it steady," Aldric said, glancing over his shoulder.
"You're doing fine, kid."
Thorne's chest tightened with both fear and determination. Despite his inexperience, he knew he couldn't let them down. The thought of being caught by those things drove him to focus harder than he ever had before.
The group pushed forward, their resolve bolstered by their shared determination. The howls grew louder, and the forest seemed to close in around them, a grim reminder that their fight for survival was far from finished.