บท 26: The Predator’s Circle
"Grrrr..."
"Rrrr..."
"Grrrr..."
The growls surround me, low and menacing, rumbling through the air like a storm ready to break. My grip tightens around the hilt of my sword, the rough leather digging into my palm. The wolves are circling, their glowing yellow eyes fixed on me, cold and calculating. They're waiting, watching, like predators deciding the best way to take down their prey.
A shiver crawls up my spine, but I force it down. I can't afford to let fear take over.
"They've scattered…" I whisper, barely audible over the sound of my own breathing. My heart pounds in my chest, fast and hard, as if it's trying to break free. I glance to my side.
Elara.
She's frozen, her wide eyes locked on the wolves. Her body trembles, her feet rooted to the spot. She's too scared to move.
They're going to go for her first.
The realization hits me like a blow to the gut. My stomach tightens as dread floods my body. The wolves always attack the weak first.
My breathing steadies, but only because I force it to. Fear won't help. Panic won't help. I have to do something.
I must protect her. There's no other way.
"Now!" I shout, forcing my legs to move.
I sprint forward, my sword slicing through the air as I run. Elara flinches at my yell, but it snaps her out of her trance. She stumbles backward, then turns and bolts toward the open plains.
The wolves don't hesitate.
The moment she moves, they lunge. Two of them turn toward me, their growls sharpening into snarls, but the third—wolf—breaks off and sprints after her. Its sleek body moves like a shadow, fast and deadly.
No. Not her.
I pivot sharply, ignoring the wolves coming for me, and chase after the one heading for Elara. My boots slam against the ground, kicking up dirt with each step, but I already know I'm too slow.
The wolf is closing in on her, its powerful legs eating up the distance between them. Elara is running as fast as she can, but it won't be enough. She's too small, too weak, and the wolf is too fast.
I can't reach it. I'm too slow.
My chest burns with every step, and desperation claws at my mind. My fingers tighten around the sword in my hand. I don't think—I just act.
With a shout, I raise the sword and throw it as hard as I can.
The blade spins through the air, It whistles as it cuts forward, a streak of silver aimed straight at the wolf.
The beast's ears twitch, sensing the danger. It leaps to the side just in time, the sword slicing through empty air before burying itself into the dirt with a dull thud.
The wolf stumbles, its stride breaking for a moment, but it's not enough to stop it completely. My chest tightens as I realize I've only bought Elara a few seconds.
Pain.
A burning, sharp pain explodes across my back. I stagger forward, my legs buckling, as one of the wolves pounces on me. Its claws dig deep into my flesh, tearing through muscle. I let out a strangled gasp, my knees hitting the dirt.
Before I can even think, the second wolf slams into me. Its jaws clamp down on my arm, the teeth sinking deep. I scream as it jerks its head, pulling me to the ground.
The dirt scrapes against my face as my body hits the ground hard. The wolf's teeth dig deeper, and its violent shakes send fresh waves of pain shooting through my arm. Blood spills freely now, dripping down my fingers, pooling beneath me.
Another wolf rakes its claws down my back again, ripping through my skin like it's paper. My vision blurs, and the world becomes nothing but pain. My mouth fills with the metallic taste of blood as I bite my tongue to stop myself from crying out.
I can't move. I can't think.
My free hand claws at the dirt, searching blindly. I need something—anything—to fight back. My fingers scrape over something rough.
A branch.
It's thick, jagged, and heavy. My fingers curl around it, and I swing upward with every ounce of strength I have left.
CRACK.
The end of the branch slams into the wolf's eye. It lets out a deafening howl, its jaws releasing my arm as it stumbles back.
I gasp for air, rolling to my side and dragging myself up. My arm hangs limp at my side, blood dripping from the open wounds. My back feels like it's on fire, and every breath sends sharp stabs of pain through my chest.
But I can't stay down.
I force myself to my feet, swaying as my legs shake beneath me. My vision swims, but I can still see them—the wolves.
They're circling me again.
Their growls are low and threatening, their eyes locked on me. They're more cautious now, keeping their distance, but I know they're waiting. They're still hungry. They're still dangerous.
I grip the branch tighter, raising it like a sword. Blood drips from my hand onto the dirt, but I push the pain aside.
"Thud-thud. Thud-thud. Thud-thud."
My heartbeat is the only thing I can hear now. It's deafening, pounding in my ears, echoing in my chest. My arms shake, my legs tremble, but the rhythm keeps me going. Keeps me alive.
The wolves circle me, their growls rumbling like thunder. Their eyes gleam in the dim light, glowing with hunger. My chest tightens, but my lips curl into a grin. I don't even know why I'm smiling. I'm not in control anymore.
"Ahahaha! AHAHAHAHA!"
"AHAHAHAHA! AHAHAHAHA!"
"I know... I know..." I mutter, barely aware of the words spilling from my mouth. My voice sounds strange, unhinged, like it doesn't belong to me.
"It's exciting, isn't it? ISN'T IT?"
I tighten my grip on the branch, holding it like a weapon. The wood digs into my palm, rough and uneven, but I don't care. My fingers squeeze tighter until my knuckles ache. I lift the branch and point it at them, daring them to come closer.
"This isn't over," I hiss through clenched teeth. My vision blurs for a moment, but I blink it away. "Get excited."
The wolves grow louder, their growls rising as they step closer. I can feel their breath now, hot and foul, like death itself. My breathing is ragged, every inhale sharp and painful.
I shut my eyes, forcing myself to focus. Everything around me fades as I reach deep inside, searching for it—that spark of mana still left in me.
Breathe. Just breathe.
The energy answers, sluggish but there. It feels like dragging water uphill, but I pull it through my body, forcing it into my muscles. My arms feel stronger, my chest steadier, and my legs… I pour everything I have left into my right leg.
The wolves leap at the same time.
I don't wait.
With a roar, I push off the ground, using every ounce of strength in my legs.
Pain explodes through me.
"Shit! My leg!" I scream, my voice cracking as a sickening snap fills the air. It feels like my bone is on fire, shattering under the force of the jump. But I'm already in the air, and there's no going back.
The wolves hesitate for a split second, startled by the sudden movement. My broken leg throbs, and every breath is agony, but I force myself to keep going. I grip the branch tighter, pouring the last of my mana into it.
Change. Just change.
The energy flows, wrapping around the wood, shaping it. A faint glow forms along the edge, sharpening into a blade as thin as paper.
The mana blade is ready.
I twist my body mid-air, aiming for the wolf below me. Its glowing eyes widen too late.
"RAAAAAAH!" I roar as the blade cuts down.
The impact is brutal. The blade slices clean through the wolf's body, splitting it in half. Blood sprays upward, hot and thick, splattering across my face and chest. The body collapses in two pieces, lifeless before it even hits the ground.
The other wolf dodges, its movements fast and fluid. It snarls at me, backing away, but its eyes never leave mine.
I can't celebrate yet.
I hit the ground hard.
Pain tears through me as I land on my broken leg, my body crumpling like a rag doll. The air is knocked from my lungs, and for a moment, I can't breathe. My vision spins, dark spots creeping in from the edges.
Get up… Get up…
I try to move, but my body won't listen. Blood pools beneath me, warm and sticky, soaking into the dirt. My arms tremble as I try to push myself up, but it's no use. My fingers twitch uselessly against the ground.
"No… not now…" I whisper, my voice barely audible. My head falls back against the dirt, and I stare up at the sky. Everything feels heavy, like the world is pressing down on me.
The wolf sees its chance.
It lowers itself, muscles coiling like springs. Its growl deepens, vibrating through the ground as it inches closer. I can see its teeth now, sharp and ready to tear me apart.
I force a smile, blood dripping from my lips.
"Come on…" I croak, the words weak but defiant. "Do it."
The wolf crouches lower, ready to pounce.
And then—
"DON'T COME NEAR MY BROTHER!"
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