The rising sun cast a pale, cold light over the valley as the Thorned Sisters made their final preparations. The air was crisp, and the snow underfoot

crunched with every step. Despite the early hour, the sisters moved with purpose, their packs slung over their shoulders and weapons within easy reach.

Rhea stood at the edge of the settlement, her greataxe resting against her shoulder as she surveyed the wilderness ahead. The forest loomed dark and dense,

a wall of ancient pines that stretched toward the horizon. Somewhere beyond that lay the Cursed Spire, their destination—and whatever dangers awaited them along the way.

“Everyone ready?” she called, her voice carrying over the stillness.

Nyssa stepped forward, her bow slung across her back and her quiver full. “Scouted the trail before dawn. The first leg should be clear, but there’s fresh

wolf sign near the eastern ridge. We’ll need to keep an eye out.”

“Let them come,” Eira said, twirling her spear with a grin. “Haven’t had a good hunt in days.”

“You might get your wish,” Vira muttered, adjusting the straps on her shield. “But let’s not tempt the gods.”

Zarya pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders, the runes on her quarterstaff faintly glowing. “The artifact’s power will draw attention, whether we

want it or not. We should expect trouble.”

“Great,” Lira said, a wry smile on her face as she adjusted her daggers. “Nothing like a cursed journey to liven things up.”

Nala, standing beside her, gripped her short sword tightly. She didn’t speak, but her wide eyes betrayed her nervousness. She felt out of place among her

older, more seasoned sisters, but she was determined not to let them down.

Rhea nodded, her gaze sweeping over her daughters. They were strong, capable, and brave—but this journey would test them in ways they had never faced before.

She could only hope they were ready.

“Stay close,” she said. “And remember: we move as one. No one goes off alone.”

With that, the Thorned Sisters set off, their boots crunching through the snow as they disappeared into the forest.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

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#### The Forest's Edge

The first few hours passed in relative silence, the sisters keeping to the narrow path Nyssa had scouted. The trees closed in around them, their towering

trunks casting long shadows that seemed to stretch endlessly. The only sounds were the whisper of the wind and the occasional call of a bird.

But as they delved deeper into the woods, the atmosphere began to change. The air grew heavier, colder, as though the forest itself was watching them. The

light filtering through the canopy took on a greenish hue, and the shadows seemed to shift when no one was looking.

“This place feels wrong,” Lira muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Zarya nodded, her grip tightening on her staff. “The artifact’s power is affecting the land. The closer we get to the Spire, the worse it will become.”

Nyssa held up a hand, signaling the group to stop. She crouched, studying the ground. “Tracks,” she said. “Wolves—and fresh.”

“How many?” Rhea asked, stepping closer.

“Four, maybe five. Big ones.” Nyssa frowned. “They’re not normal. Look at this.” She pointed to a deep gouge in the snow where a paw print had melted into the

earth. The edges of the print steamed faintly, as if touched by fire.

“Corrupted,” Zarya said grimly. “The artifact is twisting them.”

“Good,” Eira said, gripping her spear. “A challenge.”

Rhea shot her a sharp look. “Stay focused. If they’re corrupted, they’ll be more dangerous than usual. Stick together and watch each other’s backs.”

The sisters formed a loose circle, weapons at the ready, as they moved forward. The forest grew eerily quiet, the usual sounds of wildlife replaced by an

oppressive stillness. The hairs on the back of Rhea’s neck prickled.

Then came the growl.

Low and guttural, it rumbled through the trees, followed by another, and another. Shadows moved among the underbrush, circling the sisters. Glowing eyes

appeared in the darkness, their unnatural light sending chills down Nala’s spine.

The first wolf lunged, a massive creature with fur that shimmered like molten silver. Its jaws snapped at Vira’s shield, teeth scraping against ironwood

with a sound like nails on stone. Vira shoved it back, and Rhea’s axe swung in a deadly arc, cleaving into its side.

More wolves charged from the shadows. Nyssa’s arrows flew, striking true as two beasts fell mid-leap. Eira met another head-on, her spear plunging into its

chest. The wolf yelped, its body convulsing as frost spread from the wound.

Lira darted through the chaos, her daggers flashing as she danced around a snapping maw. “Nala! Watch your flank!” she shouted.

Nala turned just in time to block a wolf’s lunge with her sword. The force of the impact sent her stumbling, but she recovered quickly, slashing at the

creature’s face. It howled, retreating into the shadows.

Zarya raised her staff, chanting quickly. A burst of fire surged outward, engulfing two wolves in its path. The flames burned unnaturally bright, consuming

the corrupted magic within the beasts.

The battle was short but fierce. As the last wolf fell, silence returned to the forest. The sisters stood among the bodies, their breaths visible in the cold air.

“Well,” Eira said, wiping her spear clean, “that was fun.”

“Fun isn’t the word I’d use,” Lira muttered, sheathing her daggers.

Rhea looked around, her face grim. The wolves had been stronger, faster, more vicious than any they had faced before. And they were only the beginning.

“We keep moving,” she said. “Stay sharp. This is far from over.”

As the sisters pressed deeper into the forest, the shadows seemed to grow darker, and the faint hum of the artifact grew louder, like a heartbeat echoing

in their ears.