The Crocodile Unleashed

Zain's footsteps echoed steadily through the regal stone halls of the Noble House of Xeno. His expression remained calm, but his mind was a different battlefield entirely.

(Joshua and his group should be springing the ambush right about now...) he thought, suppressing the unease growing in his chest.

As he turned a corner, he caught the voices of two noble werewolf knights in conversation up ahead. Instinctively, he slowed his pace, allowing their words to reach his ears.

"...So they sent James away."

"Yeah," the second knight replied. "But I heard the humans are planning to ambush the carriage. So King Siegfried instructed Sawyl to accompany it for extra protection."

Zain's heart stopped. His stride faltered, and he froze mid-step, staring at the floor.

The first knight laughed uneasily. "Isn't that a bit of overkill? I mean… Sawyl? I heard he's more ruthless than King Siegfried himself. And almost just as strong."

The two continued walking, unaware of the bomb they'd just dropped. Zain remained still, his breath caught in his throat. A bead of sweat trickled down his temple.

(Sawyl… No. How did my father find out? Luke and Justin wouldn't have told anyone… so there must be a mole in Joshua's party. And if Father knew I was involved, I'd already be dead.)

He clenched his fists, his eyes wide with alarm.

(Joshua's in danger… I can't believe he sent Sawyl Xeno the Crocodile. One of the Thirty-Six Heroes. That name alone strikes terror. His viciousness… his overwhelming strength… He's a monster dressed in noble cloth.)

Zain spun on his heel and sprinted toward the exit. He had to get to Joshua before it was too late.

Meanwhile — The Ambush Point

The forest was silent, the wind whispering through the leaves as the carriage approached. Joshua dashed out of the bushes, stepping directly in the horses' path, forcing them to halt with startled whinnies. At the same time, Lancelot and Jack leapt onto the side steps of the carriage. Lancelot flung the door open and pressed his sword to the throat of a large, intimidating werewolf.

The man turned his head slowly, blue eyes gleaming beneath white brows. He smiled with cruel amusement.

Without warning, the werewolf lashed out with a powerful kick, sending Lancelot crashing into Jack, and the two of them flew through the air before slamming into the ground with bone-jarring impact.

Joshua's eyes widened. "Lancelot! Jack!"

The werewolf stepped out of the carriage. He was massive taller than any of them, built like a fortress of muscle. He wore a white cloak that swayed behind him as he calmly shut the carriage door behind him.

Jack's face went pale.

"S-Sawyl…" he whispered, sweat pouring down his face. "No way…"

Sawyl folded his arms and surveyed the trio. "These three? This is what they sent? How disappointing."

Lancelot pushed himself up, shaking off the daze, and got into his sword stance. Joshua joined him. But Jack remained frozen on the ground.

"Come at me, kiddos," Sawyl said as he drew a massive greatsword from his back with one hand, casually entering his battle stance.

Joshua and Lancelot charged. Their blades arced from opposite directions, aimed at his waist.

But Sawyl blocked Lancelot's swing and, in the same motion, slammed his fist into the flat of Joshua's blade, stopping him cold. Then, with monstrous force, he kicked Joshua in the stomach, sending him flying backward and tumbling through the dirt.

He turned and punched Lancelot hard in the jaw with his free hand, sending him flying as well.

Sawyl turned to Jack, who still sat on the ground, paralyzed with fear.

"Isn't your friend going to try attacking?" he asked mockingly.

Joshua and Lancelot groaned as they stood, battered but unyielding.

"Jack!" Joshua shouted. "What are you doing?!"

Lancelot added, "I thought nothing scared you."

Jack's hands trembled around his sword. "Don't you know who that guy is? That's Sawyl Xeno, the Crocodile! One of the Thirty-Six Heroes! Almost as strong as Siegfried and ten times as cruel! My parents used to tell me bedtime stories about him, say if I misbehaved, he'd come take me away!"

Sawyl let out a booming laugh. "You're a funny one. I'll make your death quick."

Joshua's expression twisted into anger. "What is wrong with you? We have a chance to save James! Are you really going to let your childhood nightmares stop you now? What about Sam?! Don't you want to see her smile again?!"

Jack looked up, his fear slowly giving way to resolve. "You're right… What the hell am I doing?"

He grabbed his sword, stood tall, and stepped beside his brothers-in-arms.

Sawyl readied himself. "Let's see what you've got."

Jack was the first to move. He sprinted forward and leapt into the air, bringing his blade down. Sawyl parried with ease and uppercut Jack in the gut. Jack choked on blood as he soared backward and crashed into the earth.

Joshua came next, swinging diagonally. Sawyl blocked and countered with a roundhouse kick to Joshua's head. Joshua's eyes rolled white as he flew sideways, crashing hard into the dirt.

Lancelot attacked with a plunging thrust aimed at Sawyl's heart. But Sawyl turned his blade and caught the strike on its flat side, then delivered a brutal side kick to Lancelot's face. Blood sprayed across Sawyl's boot as Lancelot was hurled through the air.

Jack finally hit the ground with a heavy thud, groaning.

All three slowly rose again, bloodied and shaken but still willing to fight.

Sawyl sighed with theatrical disappointment. "Is this it? I expected more. Maybe this will help."

He turned toward the carriage.

"Bring out James!" he roared.

Two werewolves, Axel and Blake, dragged James from the carriage. He was shackled, bruised, and malnourished. His long, matted hair hid most of his face, but the sight of him still struck like lightning through the trio's hearts.

Axel and Blake disappeared back into the carriage as ordered.

Sawyl examined their faces. (Hmm… not the reaction I expected. Maybe this will help.)

He casually backhanded James, sending him rolling through the dirt.

Silence fell.

Then something changed.

Joshua's eyes began to glow an intense green. His claws and fangs lengthened, his breathing deepened into a low growl.

Lancelot's eyes blazed gold, and his muscles swelled with refined precision, his aura burning like a knight blessed by sunlight.

Jack grew wolf ears and a long, bushy tail. His nails became claws, and his eyes gleamed a furious red.

All three stepped forward, swords in hand, expressions filled with wrath.

Sawyl grinned, finally satisfied. "That's more like it. Now the fun can begin."

Steel gleamed. The forest trembled.

And the true battle was about to start.