SURROUNDED
The forest closed in around them.
Monsters stepped out from between the trees one by one, their glowing red eyes piercing through the shadows.
There were too many.
Aria’s heart pounded as she counted quickly.
Twenty.
Thirty.
Fifty.
More kept appearing.
Lucian tightened his grip on his blade.
“…This is definitely not fifty.”
Rowan glanced behind them.
“Yeah, I’m seeing closer to a hundred now.”
The warriors immediately formed a defensive circle.
Steel flashed as swords were drawn.
The Alpha King stepped forward, placing himself slightly in front of Aria.
“You stay behind me.”
She frowned.
“I can fight.”
“I know.”
His voice remained calm.
“But you’re the target.”
Aria hated that he was right.
The creatures moved slowly closer.
Their bodies were twisted versions of wolves.
Some walked hunched over.
Others moved on all fours.
Their claws were long and jagged.
And their mouths hung open, revealing rows of sharp teeth.
Rowan muttered,
“I officially hate this forest.”
Lucian’s eyes scanned the monsters carefully.
“Don’t underestimate them.”
Rowan raised an eyebrow.
“Wasn’t planning to.”
Lucian’s voice lowered.
“These aren’t regular creatures.”
Aria noticed something strange.
“They’re not attacking.”
The monsters were circling them.
Waiting.
Watching.
The Alpha King spoke quietly.
“They’re being controlled.”
Lucian nodded.
“That’s my guess too.”
Rowan frowned.
“So the Blood Emperor is nearby?”
Lucian’s gaze shifted toward the mountains ahead.
“Possibly.”
One of the monsters suddenly stepped forward.
Its body was larger than the others.
Stronger.
Its glowing eyes locked onto Aria.
Her wolf stirred uneasily.
It knew.
The creature let out a low, unnatural growl.
Then another answered.
And another.
Within seconds, the entire forest echoed with terrifying sounds.
Rowan sighed.
“Well.”
“Guess the waiting period is over.”
The Alpha King’s voice rang out sharply.
“Hold formation!”
The first monster lunged.
A warrior swung his blade and cut it down instantly.
But three more rushed forward immediately after.
Claws clashed with steel.
Growls and shouts filled the clearing.
The battle exploded around them.
Rowan shifted first.
His massive black wolf burst forward, slamming into two monsters at once.
Lucian moved like lightning beside him, his blade cutting through one creature’s throat before it even reached him.
Aria fought too.
She dodged a lunging monster and struck it down with a sharp slash.
But more kept coming.
Too many.
The Alpha King moved like a force of nature.
Every strike from him dropped another monster.
But the circle of creatures kept tightening.
Lucian cut down another enemy beside him.
“This is exactly what he wanted.”
Rowan growled while tearing into another creature.
“Yeah!”
“What’s the plan?!”
The Alpha King looked around quickly.
They were being overwhelmed.
The monsters weren’t stopping.
Aria felt something building inside her again.
The same power from before.
Her wolf was restless.
Energy surged beneath her skin.
Lucian noticed immediately.
“Aria.”
She looked at him.
“What?”
His voice was sharp.
“Control it.”
“I’m trying!”
Another monster leapt toward her.
She threw it back with a blast of energy she hadn’t meant to release.
The creature smashed into a tree with a sickening crack.
Rowan blinked.
“…Well that was new.”
But the power didn’t stop.
Aria’s chest tightened as the energy inside her continued rising.
Lucian’s expression changed.
“That’s not good.”
The Alpha King turned toward her.
“Aria.”
Her hands trembled.
“I can’t stop it.”
The ground beneath their feet began to shake slightly.
The monsters hesitated.
Even they could feel it.
Rowan backed up slightly.
“Oh no.”
Lucian looked at Elias, who had been fighting nearby.
“You said the seal weakens when she uses her power.”
Elias’s face had gone pale.
“Yes.”
Lucian’s voice was low.
“How much weaker?”
Elias stared at Aria.
“…Too much.”
The energy around her suddenly surged again.
Wind whipped through the clearing.
The monsters began backing away nervously.
Rowan shifted back into human form.
“King.”
The Alpha King was already watching Aria carefully.
“Aria.”
Her eyes lifted.
And for a moment—
They flashed silver.
Not normal silver.
Brighter.
Older.
More powerful.
Lucian whispered under his breath.
“…That’s the Primordial power.”
Aria’s voice came out different.
Lower.
Stronger.
“…Something is coming.”
Everyone froze.
The monsters suddenly stopped attacking.
Then slowly—
They all turned toward the same direction.
The mountains.
The wind died completely.
Silence filled the forest.
And from somewhere deep in the distance—
A single slow clap echoed through the trees.
A voice followed.
Smooth.
Cold.
Amused.
“Impressive.”
Every warrior in the clearing stiffened.
Aria felt her blood run cold.
She recognized that voice instantly.
The Blood Emperor had finally arrived.