The party moved briskly, the wheels of the wagons thudding against small pebbles and rocks beneath the road. The smell of damp earth lingered in the air, mingling with the faint sweetness of wild herbs crushed underfoot. Occasionally, a gust of wind would carry the scent of burning wood from distant campfires. The creaking of leather harnesses and the soft murmur of the group filled the silence.

Kastiel sat in the back of one of the wagons, his sword resting beside him. He glanced around at the group; the men rode their horses at the head, while the women and the girl trailed behind. The elderly man, his face etched with pockmarks, sat beside Kastiel, glancing nervously at the silent swordsman.

He scratched the back of his head, his voice hesitant. "So, where are you actually headed to?"

Kastiel turned his head slowly, his gaze sharp. The weight of it seemed to press down on the old man, who swallowed nervously. His mouth opened as if to say more, but Kastiel’s scrutinizing look silenced him. The question died on his lips, replaced by an awkward shuffle of feet as they continued down the road in silence.

The road ahead began to narrow as the trees thickened on either side, their darkened trunks casting long shadows over the path. The air grew heavier, the earthy scent of wet soil and decay creeping into Kastiel’s nostrils. The wagons slowed, Kastiel sense something unsettling in the air. And the animals pulling the carts confirmed it by clopping their hooves nervously against the uneven ground.

Without warning, a sharp, guttural screech echoed through the forest, freezing the group in their tracks. The birds fell silent, and the wind stilled as if the world itself was holding its breath. Kastiel’s hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his sword, his eyes scanning the tree line for the source of the sound.

From the depths of the forest, a hulking shadow emerged, massive and unnatural. The creature’s body slithered and lumbered at once, five thick, muscular tails whipping the air behind it, their tips bristling with jagged scales. Its head was a grotesque sight—wide and flat like a crocodile's, but with eyes that burned red like hot coals. A low, rumbling growl emanated from its throat, causing the ground to tremble.

"Get back!" Kastiel barked, swinging his legs over the side of the wagon and dropping to the ground, sword drawn.

The traders scrambled in terror, the women pulling the girl toward the back of the group, while the elderly man stood frozen, his pockmarked face drained of color. The monster’s tails lashed the ground, sending dirt and debris flying into the air as it moved closer, each step slow and deliberate, as though savoring the fear it instilled.

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With a sudden lurch, the creature lunged, its massive jaws snapping at the air in a horrifying display of power. Kastiel dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the beast's razor-sharp teeth. He rolled to his feet, his eyes fixed on the creature, muscles tense as he gauged its next move.

The monster let out another screech, its five tails now swaying in unison, preparing to strike. Kastiel knew he had to act quickly before the creature could overwhelm him.

One of the tails lashed out, aiming for Kastiel’s legs. He jumped, barely avoiding the whip-like appendage, and countered with a swift slash of his sword, the blade biting into the tail’s rough scales. The creature roared in pain, its eyes narrowing in rage. Two more tails swung at him, one from the left, the other from the right. Kastiel twisted, using his sword to block one tail while narrowly dodging the other. The impact sent a sharp jolt through his arms, but he held firm.

The beast’s crocodile-like maw opened wide as it lunged again, this time faster, its jagged teeth gleaming in the dappled light. Kastiel rolled to the side, but the monster was relentless. One of its tails lashed at his back, catching him off guard and sending him sprawling to the ground. His sword skittered out of reach, clattering against the stones.

The creature loomed over him, its hot breath reeking of decay. Kastiel's heart pounded in his chest, but his mind remained calm, searching for any advantage. His eyes darted toward his sword—too far. His hand, however, reached for the dagger strapped to his belt.

With a roar of defiance, Kastiel pulled the dagger free and drove it into the underside of the monster’s snout. The creature reared back, howling in pain, thick black blood spilling from the wound. Kastiel seized the moment, scrambling to his feet and diving for his sword.

The beast, now enraged, lashed out wildly with all five tails. Kastiel ducked and dodged, each strike missing him by inches. He gripped his sword with both hands, his muscles burning, waiting for the right moment.

The creature lunged again, its jaws snapping. Kastiel sidestepped and, with a powerful swing, brought his blade down on the base of one of the monster's tails, severing it cleanly. The beast shrieked, thrashing wildly, the stump of its tail spraying blood across the road.

Taking advantage of its confusion, Kastiel rushed forward, raising his sword high. With a powerful downward strike, he drove the blade deep into the monster’s skull, right between its burning red eyes. The creature let out one final, pitiful growl before collapsing into the dirt, its body twitching as life drained from it.

Panting, Kastiel yanked his sword free, wiping the thick black blood from its blade. He turned to the group, their eyes wide with a mixture of terror and awe.

The elderly man, still pale, managed to speak. “What in the gods' names was that thing?”

Kastiel, his breath still heavy, glanced down at the beast’s carcass. "A creature of the wilds. They grow bolder as the days grow darker. Keep moving, we have to get to the city before night fall.”