I exhaled, the tension from the handshake fading but not disappearing entirely. Leo and I weren’t trying to rip each other’s heads off anymore, but the air between us was still thick enough to cut with a knife. The energy in this cave? Yeah, it hadn’t vanished either. If anything, it was clinging to the walls like an old, unwanted memory. Whatever drew me here, I knew Leo had a piece of it, like we were two parts of a puzzle neither of us wanted to solve.

Leo took a step back, crossing his arms, his dark energy still flickering around him like a storm cloud waiting to unleash hell. His eyes stayed locked on me, measuring, calculating. “So,” he said, his voice calm but carrying that edge—like he wasn’t just asking, he was digging. “What brings you all the way out here, in the middle of nowhere? People don’t just happen upon this place.”

I expected the question. You don’t stumble into a cave like this without a reason, and I sure as hell wasn’t lost. “I’m hunting,” I said, playing it cool, keeping my tone steady. No need to show all my cards just yet. “Shadow coyotes. I tracked them through the desert, and the trail led me here.”

Leo’s face didn’t change much—guy’s a master at keeping his poker face on—but his eyes? Yeah, there was a flicker of something. Recognition. He knew more than he was letting on.

“Coyotes?” he asked, but his tone said he wasn’t buying it. Not entirely. “Or is there something else you’re after?”

Ah, the dance. He wasn’t going to let me get away with the basics. Fair enough. “It’s more than just coyotes,” I admitted. “Those things? They’ve been picking people off. Seen what they do. Nasty stuff. They’re not natural, and the energy in this cave?” I gave a glance around, eyes narrowing. “Feels a lot like what’s been driving them. But I didn’t expect to find someone like you here.”

Leo’s expression stayed calm, but I could see the gears turning. There was curiosity in there, even if he was trying to keep it buried. “You think I’m involved?”

I shook my head. “Not directly. But whatever’s going on here? You’re tied to it. You’ve got this place in your bones, whether you know it or not.”

He let that sink in, his gaze darkening a little. “You’re not wrong,” he said, almost as if he were talking to himself. “But I didn’t exactly choose to be here. I was following a different trail, something darker, and it led me here. Same as you.”

I tilted my head. “What kind of trail?”

“The kind that doesn’t leave breadcrumbs,” he said, his voice cryptic as hell. “Coyotes? They’re just the beginning. There’s something pulling them in, something old, something… wrong. I’ve been chasing it for a while.”

Great. Just what I needed—another puzzle with missing pieces. “So you’re saying these coyotes are connected to something bigger?”

Leo nodded. “Much bigger. The energy you’re feeling? It’s deeper than you think. I’ve been trying to trace the source, but it keeps shifting, slipping away. It’s dangerous.”

“Dangerous?” I gave him a grin. “You’re talking to the guy who’s got a PhD in dangerous.”

Leo didn’t laugh—his style was more brooding antihero than quick-witted banter—but I could tell he was taking me seriously now. “That’s why I’m here,” I said, my voice lowering a little. “To stop whatever this is. People are dying, and I’m not going to let that keep happening.”

Leo’s gaze was heavy, like he was weighing my words. “You think you can stop it?”

I shrugged, giving him that casual, devil-may-care look I’ve perfected over the years. “Done worse.”

There was a beat of silence between us, the cave practically vibrating with whatever dark energy lurked in the corners. Yeah, this place was alive in its own twisted way, and it didn’t seem too happy about our conversation.

Leo sighed, his shoulders relaxing slightly. “You don’t get it yet,” he said, voice quieter now, “but you will.” He paused, then gave me a look that almost bordered on sympathy. Almost. “I don’t know how long you’ve been doing this, Kain, but if you’re going to keep chasing this thing, you better be ready for what comes next.”

I arched an eyebrow. “What are we up against?”

He glanced deeper into the cave, where the darkness seemed to thicken, practically suffocating the light. “It’s not just the coyotes,” he said, his voice low and serious. “They’re just the start. The energy here—it’s calling to things. Dark things. The deeper we go, the worse it gets.”

That was the thing about this job: the deeper you go, the uglier it gets. But quitting? Not in my blood. “Then we go deeper,” I said, my voice firm. “If whatever’s driving this is down there, I’ll find it.”

Leo raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk playing on his lips like he knew something I didn’t. “You sure about that? Once you see what’s down there, there’s no going back.”

I grinned, feeling that rush of adrenaline I always get when I know I’m about to dive headfirst into trouble. “I’ve already come this far. I’m not turning back.”

Leo chuckled softly, though it wasn’t a friendly sound. “Fair enough. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He turned, heading deeper into the cave without waiting for me to follow. “Come on. I’ll show you what you’re really dealing with.”

I fell in step behind him, my eyes scanning the cave’s jagged walls, the flickers of darkness moving like shadows with a mind of their own. Whatever was waiting for us, it wasn’t going to roll over and die. But I wasn’t exactly new to this dance. And something told me Leo wasn’t either.

As we moved deeper into the cave, I let out a low breath. “So, you chase shadows for a living, or is this just a side gig?”

Leo glanced back at me, his face unreadable. “Let’s just say I’ve been chasing this for a long time.”

“Good to know I’m not the only one who can’t quit,” I said, smirking.

He didn’t reply, just kept walking. The cave seemed to close in around us, the cold air tightening its grip. I could feel the pulse of something dark, something alive, in the depths ahead. Whatever this was, it wasn’t just about coyotes anymore. It was bigger. Older. Meaner.

Perfect. Just another day in paradise.

I crouched low, my fingers digging into the dirt, feeling the tension coiling in the air like a tightly wound spring. Leo was beside me, moving like liquid, his calm exterior hiding the storm I knew was brewing beneath. Guy was sharp—real sharp. His eyes didn’t give much away, but I could tell his brain was always working, always a few steps ahead, laying out clues like puzzle pieces he hadn’t quite fit together yet.

“The coyotes weren’t my original target,” he muttered, voice low but carrying in the stillness of the cave. “I was tracking something else… but when I started noticing the patterns, I realized these things weren’t just wild animals. Too organized, too precise.”

I gave him a quick nod, my senses stretching out, trying to pick up on anything unusual. The cave walls were slick with moisture, and the air was thick, like we were breathing in the earth itself. Whatever Leo had picked up on, it wasn’t just an animal den. This place was off. Way off.

Leo hesitated, glancing at me sideways. “I followed them here, but I haven’t made a move yet. There’s more going on. I can feel it.”

“Think they’re tied to whatever you were chasing?” I asked, keeping my voice low. The vibe in this place didn’t need any more rattling.

He didn’t answer directly. Instead, he kept moving forward, scanning the ground like the world’s most dangerous detective. His silence said enough. Whatever it was, it was personal. I didn’t push. Hell, I had my own secrets, didn’t mean I had to pry into his.

The cave got darker, shadows creeping in like they were alive, thickening the air with every step. And then I felt it—a shift, subtle but unmistakable. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. The kind of feeling you get when you know something is watching you from just beyond the light.

Then, the growls came. Low, rumbling, and far too familiar. I clenched my fists, turning slightly, catching Leo’s eye. No words needed. We weren’t alone anymore.

“They’re here,” Leo muttered, his voice tight, like a coiled spring ready to snap.

No kidding.

Before I could even blink, the first coyote launched out of the shadows, all teeth and speed. I dodged to the side, feeling the rush of air as it snapped at where my head had been a second ago. My fist connected with its side, sending it crashing into the wall. Another was on me before I could take a breath, teeth sinking into my shoulder like it was going for a souvenir. I grunted, elbowing it hard, sending it flying off before it could take more than a taste.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

I wasn’t thinking. Instinct kicked in, and my arm shifted—a blade of sharp energy slicing clean through the next coyote that came at me. It crumpled to the ground, dead before it could even register what happened. And with it, came the hunger—the pull of its life force draining into me, feeding me, making me stronger. I didn’t dwell on it. Couldn’t. More were coming.

Leo was moving too, dark energy flickering from his hands, slicing through coyotes like they were paper. Efficient. Lethal. But it wasn’t just the magic that caught my eye. The guy moved like a damn shadow himself, fluid and controlled. One minute, he’s casting spells; the next, he’s pulling a katana from the darkness like he ordered it from the void. His blade gleamed faintly as he cut through another coyote with a clean, practiced strike.

“Not bad,” I muttered, dodging another attack, already moving into the next strike.

I spun, releasing a surge of electricity at the next group of beasts. They convulsed, their bodies twitching as the energy ripped through them. Their deaths were quick, their energy feeding into mine, pushing me forward, pushing the hunger to the surface. It was always there—lurking.

Leo didn’t slow down either. His katana flashed as he cut down another coyote, dark energy rippling around him like a cloak. He was a controlled storm, but I could see it—the toll. We were outnumbered, and the fight was wearing on both of us. For every coyote we dropped, two more seemed to take their place.

“They’re not just beasts,” Leo growled, breathing hard. “They’re being controlled by something.”

“Yeah, I noticed,” I shot back, slamming another coyote into the ground, finishing it with a quick, brutal strike.

We fought in sync, the cave echoing with snarls, yelps, and the clash of our powers. My muscles were starting to burn, my breath coming harder, but I wasn’t slowing down. Couldn’t. These things kept coming, and we had no idea how deep this rabbit hole went.

Then one came at me faster than the others. Its body twisted in midair, moving in a way that wasn’t natural. I dodged to the side, and before I knew it, my mouth opened, and I spat a glob of acid right at it. Didn’t plan it, just instinct. The sizzling hit my ears before the coyote’s howl of pain. Acid spit—never liked it much, but damn if it didn’t work when you needed it.

“Never thought I’d be thankful for that trick,” I muttered, wiping my mouth, the faint taste of acid lingering.

Leo was still at it, his movements a blur as he slashed through another wave. I could see his breath coming harder now, his eyes flicking between the coyotes and me like he was calculating the odds. I didn’t have to be a genius to figure them out—too many, not enough of us.

“We can’t keep this up forever,” Leo bit out, his voice strained.

“Don’t have to,” I replied, feeling the adrenaline surge through me. I slammed another coyote into the ground, then crouched, pressing my palm flat against the cold stone. I let the electricity surge from me, spreading out like a wave through the cave floor. The coyotes yelped as the energy fried them from the inside out, one by one dropping like overcooked toast.

The numbers were thinning, but I didn’t let my guard down. A few stragglers were left, but Leo and I finished them off, moving like clockwork. Every last one hit the ground, their energy seeping into me, fueling that hunger that never fully went away.

When the final coyote collapsed, the cave went eerily silent. I stood there, breathing hard, my arm shifting back into its normal form, blood dripping from the edges. I flexed my fingers, feeling the power settle, the hunger quiet—for now.

Leo wiped his blade clean, sliding the katana back into the shadows as if it had never existed. His face was unreadable, but I could see the tension in his jaw. He wasn’t letting his guard down either.

“We’re not done,” he said, his voice quiet but steady. “Whatever’s controlling them… it’s still out there.”

I didn’t respond right away, still catching my breath, my mind buzzing with the aftermath of the fight. He was right. The coyotes weren’t the problem. They were just the beginning.

The cave was eerily quiet, save for the sound of our heavy breathing. I leaned back against the cold stone, feeling the lingering energy from the coyotes I’d absorbed still humming in my veins. There’s always a rush after a fight like that, the kind of adrenaline that keeps you on the edge, alive. But this time, there was something else—something darker slithering in with it. I focused, sifting through the fragmented memories of the coyotes. It’s always like trying to piece together a jigsaw puzzle in the dark.

I caught flashes—bits of their hunts, fear, hunger. And then something more.

Shadow. Teeth. Darkness pulling the strings…

It wasn’t a full picture, but it was enough to confirm what Leo had said: these coyotes weren’t acting on instinct. Someone or something was controlling them. I pushed the fragments aside for now, letting them settle at the back of my mind, and glanced over at Leo. He was wiping his katana, his expression locked behind that damn unreadable mask he always wore.

Guy was a mystery—a puzzle wrapped in an enigma. One second, calm and collected; the next, flinging dark magic and slicing through coyotes like he’s auditioning for a samurai flick.

“Hey,” I said, breaking the silence. “That was pretty cool, the way you fought. Throwing magic around and then pulling out a katana? Not exactly your run-of-the-mill Tuesday afternoon.”

Leo didn’t respond immediately. His eyes were still scanning the cave like he was waiting for another wave of hellhounds to jump out at us. After a moment, he let out a sigh—barely audible—and sheathed his blade. Finally, he sat down on a rock, letting his guard down just enough to catch his breath.

I waited, expecting a short answer or maybe nothing at all. But then he spoke, his voice quieter than usual, almost like he was talking to himself more than me.

“I learned to use a sword from my father,” he said, his tone distant, like he was staring through time itself. “He owned a dojo. It wasn’t big, nothing fancy, but it was his pride.”

I stayed quiet. Something told me this wasn’t the time to crack jokes or interrupt. There was a weight to his words, a softness I hadn’t seen before.

“I used to watch him teach,” Leo continued, his eyes unfocused, lost in the past. “He was good. No, he was better than good. The way he moved with a blade… it was like watching art. I was just a kid, couldn’t even lift a practice sword without struggling, but every night, I’d sneak into the dojo, trying to mimic him. Thought maybe if I got it right, he’d be proud of me.”

There was a pause, and for a moment, I could picture him—Leo, the stoic guy sitting across from me, as a kid, struggling with a sword too big for him, sneaking around a dimly lit dojo. And then, a soft chuckle escaped his lips—something I hadn’t expected.

“I can still hear him,” Leo said, shaking his head slightly. “‘Too stiff, Leo,’ he’d say, ‘you’re trying too hard. Feel the blade, don’t force it.’” His attempt at mimicking his father’s voice wasn’t half bad, and it came with a warmth I didn’t think he had in him.

For a second, the cave didn’t feel so cold. It was strange, seeing him like this—open, vulnerable, even just for a breath. But then, like a door slamming shut, the warmth faded, replaced by something colder. Harder.

“That was before the vampires came,” he said, voice flat now, like he’d shoved all the emotion down so deep, it couldn’t reach the surface anymore.

I didn’t interrupt. I knew that tone. The story was coming, whether I was ready for it or not.

“The night my physique awakened, they came for me,” he continued, quieter now, as if the memory itself was too heavy to say aloud. “I didn’t know what was happening. Hell, I was just a kid. But they knew. Somehow, they always know.” Leo’s fists clenched, knuckles white, his voice tightening. “The vampires found us. My father… he fought them. Tried to protect me, told me to run. I didn’t want to, but…”

He trailed off, his jaw clenched, the tension rolling off him in waves.

“They tore through him like he was nothing,” Leo said, voice low, cold. “I heard everything. The screams. The fangs. They destroyed our home, our family. And I ran. Because that’s what he told me to do.”

There was a heavy silence between us, the kind that presses down on your chest and makes it hard to breathe. I didn’t say anything. There was nothing to say.

“They wanted me,” Leo finally continued, his voice almost a whisper now. “Because of this… Yin Physique. To them, I’m a gourmet meal—a walking buffet. Every vampire, every monster out there wants a taste.” He paused, his jaw tightening. “I’m not hunting by choice, Seth. I’m just trying to survive.”

I leaned back, letting his words hang in the cold, damp air. I knew what it was like to be hunted, to be prey in a world that never let you catch your breath. But this? What Leo had gone through? That was a whole different kind of hell.

“I never stopped running,” he said, the emotion drained from his voice. “Not until I got strong enough to fight back.”

He finally met my gaze, his eyes hard but with something flickering beneath the surface—exhaustion, maybe. Or maybe just the remnants of trust he hadn’t completely lost yet. “That’s why I’m here, Seth. I’m not chasing these coyotes for fun. I’m looking for the ones that came for me. And anything else that gets in my way.”

I nodded, feeling the weight of his words. “I get it. More than you know.”

For a moment, the cave was silent again. Both of us were sitting there, two guys who had seen more than they ever wanted to, carrying the weight of it like a badge we never asked for.

Finally, I broke the silence, forcing a grin that felt more natural than I expected. “You know, Leo,” I said, pushing away the heaviness, “you’re not bad with that katana. Your dad? He’d be proud.”

Leo didn’t smile. Didn’t laugh. But for just a second, I saw it—a flicker of warmth behind his eyes, like a tiny ember that hadn’t been snuffed out yet.

“Yeah,” he said softly. “Maybe.”

We both sat there for a little while longer, letting the silence fill the space between us. Whatever came next, we’d be ready. At least, we’d try.