The forest trembled beneath the steady rhythm of marching feet. Leaves shook softly as a formation advanced through the dense woodland. At the front rode General Rony, his posture straight, his eyes sharp and focused. His wolf like features were calm, but inside, tension burned quietly.
He rode a dark warhorse, its breath heavy, its pace unbroken. Behind him followed fifty mounted soldiers, each carrying long spears and round shields. Their armor gleamed in shades of purple and silver the mark of Wolfden's wolf unit forces. Their discipline was clear, No one spoke, No one broke formation.
Further behind, a larger group moved on foot.
One hundred soldiers...
Some carried swords and shields. Others held spears. Among them marched around twenty archers, their bows ready, arrows secured at their backs.
The entire unit moved with urgency.
Rony's gaze lifted toward the distant horizon, hidden behind layers of forest.
"…Grimfang Village," he murmured under his breath.
The bell…..
That sound still echoed in his mind.
A warning….A call for help....
His grip on the reins tightened slightly.
"I must reach before it's too late," he said quietly,
"Let no lives be lost… not under my watch."
His eyes narrowed
"…We are already late."
Without another word, he pushed his horse forward.
The army followed.
Faster now...
Deep within the forest Aragorn and Jessy stood side by side. Before them, the ground shook. A group of buffalo beasts massive, brutal creatures charged toward them with terrifying force. Their axes gleamed under the dim forest light, their roars shaking the air itself.
"Get ready," Aragorn said calmly
Jessy nodded, tightening her grip on her sword.
The first wave attacked. Two beasts lunged toward Aragorn. Three charged at Jessy. The forest exploded into motion.
Aragorn moved first…..
A shadow flickered beneath his feet and he vanished. The beasts crashed into empty space.
In the next second he reappeared between them. Two swords formed in his hands.
One,a dark, flawless blade, black as night, radiating silent power.
The other,a refined mithril sword, shining faintly with a silver glow.
Jessy's eyes widened
"…Summoning magic?"
Both swords… S-rank , Her heartbeat quickened.
Just how strong is he…?
But there was no time to think. A beast roared and swung its axe toward her.
Jessy reacted instantly
"Wind Guard!"
A barrier of compressed air formed in front of her, deflecting the strike. The impact echoed like thunder, but she held her ground.
Then she stepped forward
"Wind Slash!"
A sharp current of air sliced across the beast's chest, forcing it back.
The battle intensified. Aragorn moved like a phantom. His black blade cut through one beast's arm. The mithril sword followed, clean, precise ,taking its head.
Another beast charged.
He stepped forward instead of back
"Shadow Bind "
Dark tendrils burst from the ground, wrapping around the creature mid charge. It struggled, roared but could not break free. Aragorn ended it in a single strike. Meanwhile, Jessy fought fiercely. Her movements were fluid, controlled by wind itself. She dodged, spun, struck her blade danced with invisible force.
Still these were A-rank beasts.
One managed to break through her defense and strike her shoulder.
"—!"
She staggered slightly. But her eyes hardened.
"I'm not that weak "
Wind gathered around her
Faster…. Stronger....
She pushed forward again. The battle stretched seconds turned into minutes.
Steel clashed...
Roars echoed.....
The ground was torn apart.
And finally the last beast fell.
Silence returned....
Both of them stood still, breathing heavily. Jessy wiped sweat from her forehead,
"That was… intense…"
Aragorn said nothing. His eyes were already closed.
Sensing...
Expanding....
Searching...
Then his expression changed.
"…No.... "
Jessy looked at him, "What happened?"
He opened his eyes
Serious…..Sharp....
"The village…"
A pause
"…It's in danger "
Jessy froze, "What?"
"I can feel them. Multiple presences. Dozens."
Her heart skipped
"…No way…"
Aragorn turned immediately
"We don't have time,Move."
They both ran….
Fast...
Through the forest. Branches snapped as they passed. The air grew heavier.
Then they reached a cliff.
Below them Grimfang Village.
And what they saw stopped them cold.
A massive horde…..
Fifty… maybe more…..
Buffalo beasts...
Wolf monsters....
Serpent creatures...
All moving together....
All heading toward the village.
Jessy's voice trembled
"…That's not normal…"
Aragorn's eyes darkened
"…Something is controlling them "
And without another word they rushed down.
Inside the village chaos had already begun. Kai stumbled forward, breathless, his face pale.
"Ring the bell! MONSTERS ARE ATTACKING!"
The alarm had been raised.
The village gathered quickly, fear spreading like wildfire.
Moments later the first wagons began to move.
Families rushed to escape. But...…"STOP!" the Chief suddenly shouted, grabbing a man by the collar and pulling him back.
Too late…..
Two wolf monsters leapt onto the front wagon. Their claws tore through flesh.
The horse screamed and collapsed.
Blood spilled...
Screams filled the air...
Children cried...
The second wagon tried to turn but more beasts attacked.
Hope fell...
Bodies dropped....
Panic exploded....
"RUN!"
"NO—!"
"HELP—!"
The entire escape plan collapsed in seconds. The villagers froze.
Trapped....
No way forward…..
No way back...
The Chief stepped forward, his voice strong despite everything,
"Everyone! Inside the inn! NOW!"
People rushed...
Some fell....
Some didn't make it…..
But the majority pushed forward,
Desperate...…
They slammed the doors shut.
Locked them…..
Barred them with tables and heavy wood. Windows were blocked.
Furniture dragged....
Around fifteen village guards stood ready.
Weapons drawn….
Hands shaking but determined. Inside it was crowded.
Tight…..
Fearful.....
Above, on the second floor Kai and the Chief looked out. Through a small opening. The forest ahead covered in dust. The horde was coming.
Closer...
Closer....
Kai's voice broke,
"…We're… finished…"
The Chief said nothing. But his eyes held the same truth.
Outside the monsters advanced.
And the storm had only just begun...….