A Heroic Stand

The circle of companions had concluded their discussion about the forthcoming day's plans and were on the verge of retiring for the night when a peculiar melody, rumored to be heard by the villagers almost every night, filled their ears simultaneously.

The haunting tune instilled such fear in most of them that they were hesitant to sleep alone.

Jaena, barely above a whisper, remarked, "It resembles a siren's call, as if mermaids were singing beneath the waves."

Daehyun chimed in, "It's akin to the melodies performed by fairies or witches during mystical rituals."

His heart raced with anxiety as they both instinctively covered their faces with their blankets.

Jaebin and Seola, however, discovered that the music was far from terrifying; in fact, they found it captivating and became completely absorbed in its enchanting allure. They surmised that no one paid it much attention, or else they wouldn't be as disturbed.

Now, everyone believed that the rumors were indeed true this time.

On the other hand, Maya couldn't recall where she had learned the song, but she found solace in being able to sing it, as it brought her a sense of tranquility and contentment.

Unbeknownst to her, her melodic rendition had aroused the attention of the village's inhabitants.

If someone were to listen attentively and peacefully to her music, they would swiftly succumb to sleep, as it possessed a soothing and reverberating quality. Her music held distinct Celtic influences.

The entire group rose early the following morning to commence their preparations for the adventure.

They readied themselves and set out for the forest. As they approached the forest's entrance, a wave of unease washed over them; some felt fear while others remained vigilant, prepared to defend themselves if necessary.

"Let's press forward!" Daehyun asserted, his voice unwavering. "There's no time for hesitation; we must return before darkness falls."

Each member of the group was armed, showcasing their readiness to protect themselves.

Daehyun and Jaebin took the lead. Equipped with sturdy objects like an iron rod and a wooden log, they were prepared to safeguard the group and themselves. Seola, on the other hand, carried her bow and arrows.

"Just stay close behind us; if anything happens, retreat immediately, and we'll come to your rescue," Daehyun instructed.

Daehyun, being older and more experienced, felt compelled to defend them, while Jaebin, with his height and agility, was ready to fight.

"I can also take the lead; I am strong too," Seola asserted as she stepped forward, tightening her grip on her bow and adjusting her arrows.

Despite being the youngest among them, Seola possessed quick thinking and resourcefulness, making her an invaluable asset. The others didn't object, knowing that she had a sharp mind and superior mental acuity.

"Please stay safe," Minho expressed, his concern evident.

Everyone believed that his words were meant for all those in front of him, but he alone knew that they were specifically intended for Seola.

They ventured deep into the forest, maintaining constant vigilance and awareness of their surroundings.

During their journey, they came across a bear, which even made an attempt to attack them. Fortunately, they managed to escape unharmed.

However, despite their attentiveness, they remained unaware that they were being closely observed by someone, who eagerly awaited the start of their adventure.

Maya was aware that many new things would be arriving at her home today, including some delicious snacks that she was about to enjoy.

As hikers no longer frequented the area and fewer people visited over the past months, she had been waiting for a company for a long time.

She couldn't understand why, and her only concern was that she could no longer savor her favorite treats. Nevertheless, she felt immense joy upon seeing the group of individuals and kept a watchful eye on them from a distance.

Since it was daytime and she wasn't emitting any light, they couldn't see her clearly.

Suppressing her excitement, Maya quietly trailed behind them, knowing that if she became too delighted, she would start to glow.

Her Miniz followed closely, emitting an incredibly high-pitched noise, but their distant cries went unheard.

Suddenly, they were ambushed by a pack of wolves, who attacked them from behind while they were searching for the White Witch.

Maya couldn't provide assistance or reveal herself as she was too far away.

"Aaah..." Minho screamed at the top of his lungs.

Startled, everyone turned to look behind them, only to find Minho being dragged by one of the wolves, with Jaena struggling to free her leg from the wolf's grip.

Reacting swiftly, Jaebin made a valiant effort to rescue her sister from the clutches of the wolf.

Although he succeeded, as soon as he turned around to assist others, the half-scarred wolf violently attacked him, flinging him to the side, where his head collided with a large, unyielding rock. Blood began to flow from his head, staining his entire white t-shirt.

To divert the wolves' attention and save Jaebin, Daehyun hurled a rock at them.

Meanwhile, Seola noticed Minho being dragged by the wolf and swiftly prepared her bow, aiming in the wolf's direction.

Seola swiftly drew her bowstring, taking aim at the wolf dragging Minho.

As she released the arrow to strike, a sudden and surprisingly long strand of white hair appeared before the wolf, halting the arrow in its tracks and shielding the wolf.

"Hey! My hair! Release the arrow now! Otherwise, we'll be discovered," Maya ordered, struggling to control her hair, which was drawing attention instead of releasing the arrow and hiding from the group.

Maya made several more attempts until she managed to tame her hair. When she noticed the injured man, without hesitation, she let out a sharp whistle to stop the wolves.

Though risky, as it drew the attention of her friends, she did it solely to protect the humans, especially the young injured boy.

Startled by her whistle, all the wolves scattered as if they had received a command.

The friends witnessed and heard everything, from the hair strands to the loud whistles. Although they were completely bewildered by it all, their primary concern remained Jaebin's condition.

All of Jaebin's friends rushed to his side, deeply alarmed by his severe injuries—numerous claw wounds, a nearly split-open skull, extensive damage to other body parts, and being drenched in blood.