Chapter 29: Rise from the Embers
The soothing warmth of the black leather armor repairing itself coursed through me, dulling the sting of battle and knitting together the wounds that threatened to slow me down. The sensation wasn't just relief—it was a reminder that I could still push forward. That I had to push forward.
I exhaled, my breath curling in the cold, damp air, and turned my gaze to the alpha wolf. Its hulking form loomed over the battlefield, the red aura radiating from its body like molten fire, a stark contrast to the grim, blood-streaked ground.
Looking at the bastard, I couldn't stop the bitter laugh that bubbled up in my throat. "This is only the beginning," I muttered under my breath, gripping my sword tighter.
This mission—this nightmare—was just one of the hundred trials that would decide my fate. Ninety-seven more missions still loomed on the horizon like distant storm clouds, each promising adversaries far deadlier than these overgrown mutts. If I couldn't take them down here and now, what kind of future could I hope for? What kind of Godhood could I earn if I faltered so early?
The truth was brutal, but it was mine: I had to stop underestimating the dangers this world would throw at me. Struggling against beasts that should've been nothing more than warm-ups was proof of my own naivety. A luxury I could no longer afford.
These wolves? They weren't just a threat to my life. They were my first real wake-up call.
"Alright," I said softly, as much to myself as to the enemy, "no more holding back."
The alpha wolf's eyes narrowed, a murderous glint flashing in their molten red depths. It snarled, low and guttural, the sound vibrating through my chest like a war drum.
"Let's dance," I muttered, planting my foot and launching myself forward, closing the gap between us in a heartbeat.
The wolf reacted instantly, its claws slashing toward my throat with the kind of speed that would've left anyone else dead before they even realized it. I ducked low, feeling the rush of air as the claws barely missed their mark. Pivoting on my heel, I swung my sword in a wide arc aimed at its exposed flank.
The blade connected with a satisfying *clang* against its thick hide, but instead of biting deep, the steel skidded off like I'd struck solid stone.
"Seriously?" I growled, barely avoiding the swipe of its tail as it spun to counterattack.
The beast wasn't just fast—it was relentless. Each movement was a blur, each attack faster than the last. It came at me like a hurricane of claws and fangs, its glowing aura amplifying every strike.
But I wasn't about to back down.
Dodging its next lunge, I twisted my body, driving my knee into its ribs. The impact reverberated up my leg, and while the alpha staggered back slightly, it didn't look fazed.
Fine. Time for something riskier.
I leapt backward, putting some distance between us, and thrust my palm forward. Ki surged from deep within, wild and untamed, crackling as I forced it into the shape of a concentrated blast.
"Take this!" I shouted, releasing the energy with a burst of force.
The Ki blast shot forward, bright and erratic, but just as it neared the wolf, it fizzled out with a pathetic pop.
"Oh, come *on*!" I yelled, frustration bubbling over.
The alpha didn't wait for me to figure out what went wrong. It was on me in an instant, its claws flashing like lightning. I barely managed to parry the first strike with my sword, the force of the blow sending shockwaves up my arms. The second claw came faster than I could react, raking across my shoulder and tearing through the repaired leather like tissue paper.
Pain flared, sharp and searing, but I bit down on the scream threatening to escape.
Focus. Adapt.
I dropped low, sweeping the wolf's legs with a spinning kick I'd seen in an old martial arts movie. The move caught it off-guard, its massive frame crashing to the ground with a heavy thud. I followed up with a downward slash aimed at its neck, but the alpha twisted, its claws meeting my blade mid-strike. Sparks flew as steel clashed with magic-enhanced bone, the force of the collision forcing me back.
"You're not making this easy," I muttered, rolling to avoid its snapping jaws.
The wolf roared, its aura flaring brighter as it lunged again. This time, I didn't dodge. Instead, I stepped into its attack, driving my elbow into its snout with all the strength I could muster. The impact sent it reeling, and I capitalized on the opening, slamming my sword into its side.
This time, the blade dug in deeper, drawing a spray of dark blood.
The wolf howled in pain, its glowing eyes blazing with fury.
"Not so tough now, huh?" I taunted, though I knew I'd just pissed it off more.
The alpha's aura pulsed, its energy coalescing into a shimmering barrier around its body. It charged, moving faster than ever, and I braced myself, raising my sword.
As it closed in, I threw another Ki blast, this one erupting with slightly more power. The explosion staggered the wolf but didn't stop it. It slammed into me like a runaway boulder, sending us both tumbling across the battlefield.
I gritted my teeth, planting my feet and flipping us mid-roll, pinning the beast beneath me. With a roar of my own, I drove my fist into its face, again and again, channeling every ounce of strength I had.
The alpha thrashed, Its claws tearing into my side, but I didn't stop. This was my moment. My chance to turn the tide.
I pulled back my free hand, Ki crackling to life as I forced it into another blast. "Let's see you shrug this off!"
The energy detonated point-blank, engulfing us both in a fiery explosion.
When the smoke cleared, I was on my knees, gasping for breath. The alpha lay a few feet away, its aura flickering weakly, its body covered in burns and bleeding from multiple wounds.
It wasn't dead. Not yet. But it was close.
I staggered to my feet, gripping my sword tightly. "Time to finish this," I said, my voice hoarse but resolute.
The wolf growled weakly, its glowing eyes still defiant. It forced itself to stand, swaying but unwilling to yield.
"Alright then," I muttered, raising my blade. "Let's end this."
The alpha wolf rose shakily to its feet, its aura flickering but refusing to extinguish. Its defiant gaze locked onto mine, and a low, rumbling growl reverberated through the battlefield, sending shivers down my spine. Blood oozed from the wounds I had inflicted, but they weren't enough—not by a long shot.
I clenched my sword tighter, sweat dripping into my eyes as I steadied my breathing. Every muscle in my body screamed in protest, and the faint hum of my unstable Ki made my head pound. The thing was a monster, pure and simple, and I was barely holding on.
And yet it wasn't done with me.
The alpha lunged, closing the distance between us in a heartbeat. Its claws glowed with an ominous crimson light, leaving trails of energy in the air as they swiped toward my torso. I sidestepped at the last second, the claws grazing the black leather armor and sending a ripple of energy through me.
I retaliated with a quick upward slash, aiming for its exposed neck. The blade met resistance, clashing against the wolf's shimmering aura. Sparks flew, and the impact jarred my arm, but the strike barely scratched it.
The wolf countered immediately, swinging its massive paw in a wide arc. I ducked and slid under the blow, using the momentum to pivot and drive a Ki-enhanced punch into its ribs. The energy cracked the air with a sharp snap as it connected, sending the beast skidding back a few paces.
It snarled, shaking Its head, as if shaking off the pain.
"Why won't you just *die*?" I spat, frustration bleeding into my voice.
The alpha responded by howling, its red aura intensifying, glowing brighter and more menacing.
Then I noticed them—the rest of the pack.
The other wolves stood motionless on the periphery of the battlefield, their glowing eyes fixed on me with an eerie, predatory hunger. They weren't attacking yet, but their postures screamed that they were waiting. Watching. Biding their time until I faltered.
A cold realization crept over me.
I wasn't just fighting the alpha. I was fighting for survival.
*I can't beat them all,* I thought grimly, the weight of the situation settling in my chest like a lead brick. The alpha alone was pushing me to my limit. Add the others, and I wouldn't stand a chance.
I stole a glance at my surroundings, scanning for Neralia and Lashley. My heart sank when I spotted them.
The twins lay on the bloodied ground a short distance away, their battered bodies barely moving. Neralia's water magic had fizzled out, the faint remnants of her magic circle dissipating in the air. Lashley's sword was cracked, and his rocky armor was in pieces, crumbling away like shattered stone.
They were still alive—barely.
And me? I was supposed to protect them.
I gritted my teeth, parrying another of the alpha's bone-rattling strikes. The impact sent a shockwave through my arms, nearly causing me to lose my grip on the sword.
My Ki surged again, wild and unstable, crackling at my fingertips as I tried to form another blast. But the energy fizzled out almost instantly, leaving me gasping and cursing under my breath.
*This isn't enough.*
The alpha, sensing my hesitation, pressed the attack. Its movements were faster now, almost as if it had unlocked a new level of power. The red aura around it flared brighter, radiating with a force that made the air around us shimmer.
*Martial Magic.*
I didn't know much about it, but I could feel its overwhelming presence. Whatever tier this wolf's magic was, it outclassed me entirely. My half-baked Ki blasts couldn't hold a candle to the power it was throwing around.
Another swipe of its claws sent me staggering back, my vision swimming as blood trickled from a fresh cut on my forehead.
I needed something big—something that could turn the tide.
My gaze flicked to the pack of wolves again, then to the twins, and finally to the carriage at the edge of the battlefield. The battered, horse-drawn carriage stood silent and sturdy, its beastkin driver gripping the reins tightly, his wide eyes darting between me and the wolves.
*The carriage.*
The thought hit me like a bolt of lightning. If I couldn't win this fight, I could at least *end it.* I didn't need to kill the alpha. I needed a way out.
But first, I had to buy us time.
The alpha lunged again, and I sidestepped, driving my sword into its side with every ounce of strength I had left. The blade bit deep this time, tearing through fur and muscle. The wolf roared in pain, its aura faltering for a split second.
I didn't hesitate. With a burst of adrenaline, I slammed my palm against its chest, forcing every scrap of Ki I could muster into a single, desperate blast.
The explosion sent us both flying, the shockwave rattling my bones as I hit the ground hard. Pain shot through my back, but I forced myself to my feet, my vision blurred and my breathing ragged.
The alpha lay in a smoking heap, its movements sluggish. But it wasn't done—not yet.
I turned toward the carriage, my heart pounding. "Neralia! Lashley! Get to the carriage!" I shouted, my voice hoarse but commanding.
The beastkin driver looked at me with wide, fearful eyes, but he nodded, his hands tightening on the reins.
The wolves growled, their glowing eyes narrowing as they sensed my plan.
I tightened my grip on my sword, planting myself between the pack and the carriage. "Not today, you bastards," I muttered, raising the blade.
The wolves advanced, their auras flaring, but I stood firm, ready to give everything I had left.
This wasn't over. Not yet.
[A/N: Can't wait to see what happens next? Get exclusive early access on patreon.com/saiyanprincenovels. If you enjoyed this chapter and want to see more, don't forget to drop a power stone! Your support helps this story reach more readers!]
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