The forest stayed quiet after the creature disappeared. They did not relax.
Kaelen kept his eyes on the trees. "Track it."
Rowan nodded. "Arin, with me."
They moved carefully, following the marks, broken branches, deep prints, disturbed ground. The rest stayed close, weapons ready.
No one spoke. They didn't go far before the air changed.
That same rotten smell hit again closer and stronger.
"Stay focus," Rowan said.
They heard a sudden movement to their left.
Vale turned, raising his bow but he was too late.
The creature burst out from the trees fast and furious.
"MOVE!" Rowan shouted.
The Questing beast hiy the ground hard and came straight at them.
Arin stepped in to block the beast but the claws of the questing beast slammed into his blade and crushed him on a rock, the impact cutting into his arm.
He grunted, blood already soaking through his sleeve.
The beast didn't stop.
It turned sharply. Eyes locking onto Dunc.
Dunc raised his sword, stepping back. The creature lunged it's Jaws wide
Venom dripping.
"DUNC!" Torin shouted.
Dunc braced but he was too slow.
Kaelen rushed to them stepping in front of Dunc and drove his sword straight into the creature's chest.
The beast let out a sharp, violent sound it's body jerked. But it didn't fall.
Its snapped it tail fast strucking Kealen across the chest. The force threw him backward hitting the ground, the impact knocking the air out of him.
"Kaelen!" Rowan shouted. The creature staggered, still alive.
Furiously it lashed out at them.
Torin tried to dodge but he was late.
Claws caught his side, tearing through his armor just enough to draw blood. He staggered but stayed on his feet. He was lucky it didn't struck him.
"Finish it!" Rowan ordered. They all moved at once.
Vale dropped his bow and drew his blade.
Arin pushed through the pain and attacked again. Torin readied his sword. They attacked the beast from all sides.
The creature tried to move but the striked again.
The creature couldn't keep up.
One hit followed another.
Finally, It collapsed. It didn't move.
Silence fell over the clearing.
"No movement," Rowan said, watching closely.
They waited. A second then another
"It's dead."
They turned immediately. "Kaelen!"
Rowan reached him first, dropping to one knee.
"Your Highness"
Kaelen tried to push himself up but his arm gave out.
Something was wrong. His face had gone pale.
Bren frowned, panic rising. "What's wrong? It didn't sting him."
Rowan's gaze shifted to Kaelen's chest, then to the creature. His expression hardened.
"The tail," Jorik said. They looked at him.
"It hit him. That thing's covered in poison."
"This can't be happening," Vale said quietly.
Arin shook his head, breathing hard. "The tail poison takes time to spread."
He glanced at Kaelen. "If it was the mouth… he'd already be dead." That didn't help.
Kaelen's breathing was uneven now. Shallow.
Rowan stood immediately. "We're leaving. Now."
No one argued. "Get him up," Rowan ordered. "Move."
They lifted him carefully. No formation, no delay.
They rode out of the forest with urgency.
At the Same Time Elara suddenly stopped moving.
A sharp pain hit her chest.
She gasped, her hand flying to her chest.
"Ah.... "
It came out of nowhere. Strong and deep.
Her breath broke. Her heart started racing.
"Elara?" Serenya turned quickly.
Elara shook her head, struggling to speak. "I—I don't know..."
The pain hit stronger again. She bent slightly, gripping her chest tightly.
Her thoughts jumped instantly to Kaelen.
Her eyes widened. "No…" The feeling didn't stop.
It stayed. Something had happened and she could feel it.
She turned immediately and rushed toward the door.
Serenya moved fast and grabbed her arm.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Elara tried to pull away, panic clear in her face. Tears filled her eyes. "I need to help Kaelen."
Serenya frowned. "So you're going to run into the forest and look for him?"
"Yes!" Elara snapped. "I have to..."
"To do what?" Serenya cut in.
Elara froze. Serenya's voice stayed firm. "You'll only be a burden to them."
Elara shook her head quickly, large drop tears slipping down. "But he needs me." Her voice broke on the last word.
Serenya's expression softened slightly.
She let out a quiet breath, then gently pulled Elara towards her bed. "Calm down."
Elara didn't resist this time. Her chest was still tight.
Her hands still shaking.
Serenya guided her to sit, then poured a glass of water and handed it to her.
"Drink."
Elara took it with unsteady hands.
"Slowly," Serenya said.
Elara drank, her breathing still uneven. But the panic didn't fully go away.
Because deep down she still felt it.
Something was wrong and it hadn't stopped.