Prologue

A silver wolfkin moves swiftly through the rugged terrain, her movements fluid and precise. Fear grips her heart as she hears the shouts of men on horseback closing in behind her. With a quick glance over her shoulder, she sees arrows flying towards her, narrowly dodging each one until a fateful shot pierces her shoulder, causing her to cry out in pain.

Desperation sets in as she stumbles into a ditch, her eyes scanning frantically for an escape. Spotting a small cave nearby, she drags herself inside, the darkness providing temporary shelter. With trembling hands, she removes the arrow, only to witness black tendrils creeping from the wound, spreading rapidly.

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Fearing the worst, she channels a soft glow from her hand in a last attempt to save herself, but the darkness consumes her, taking her life in its grasp. With a heavy heart, she collapses against the cave wall, feeling her life slip away as the malevolent black envelops her, turning her to ash.

In a distant realm, a female wolfkin senses the loss, a soft silver glow emanating from a distant beast core as the being watches in silent worry.