Beasts? Monsters?

'Just what is going on?' she asked, as she had never felt so disturbed before.

It was like she was no longer being guided, but rather forced to turn back and take the other route. 

However, she had already been traveling with Ahmad on that path for more than an hour, so she thought it would be a waste of time and effort.

Besides, he had told her clearly that the other route is dangerous and disadvantageous to them, so telling him they should turn back to take it was ridiculous.

If he was a close friend, she wouldn't have hesitated in telling him she doesn't have a good feeling in the path they are taking. 

However, he was a stranger to her… someone who's life she could not protect nor take responsibility for in case they encounter danger in the other route.

Lydia sighed as her brows knitted.

No matter how many times she weighs the pros and cons, the cons clearly outweigh the pros.

She's not capable enough to ensure Ahmad's safety if they take the risk. Besides, her wit and physical strength might not suffice for self defense if the spark of hatred she saw in Ahmad's eyes turned to something more dangerous. For that reason, she also prefers to take the shorter route and reach a town near the palace before sunset.

After all, even though Ahmad had been nothing but respectful and attentive to her needs, he seemed uncertain about the treatment he was giving her.

If she's going to be honest with herself, she would admit she's uncomfortable traveling with him, and that… there's a part of her that's afraid… 

Not just because he emits a certain vibe that makes him look strong and dangerous, but also because she's placing her trust on a stranger she just met, and he's someone who can easily overpower her.

Lydia sighed.

Then she shifted her weight slightly at the back, sitting deeper into the saddle to signal the horse to stop. 

However, when she noticed a wider road at the intersection ahead, she did not pull on the reins nor applied leg pressure to complete the signal to halt.

Since they are on an incline, she thought, stopping at the flat area of the intersection to rest and decide would be better.

If the nagging at the back of her mind remains even after she convinces it one more time that they're on the better path, then it might no longer be a matter that should involve reason and logic.

It could be that she's receiving guidance from the universal presence that permeates all things, so she might turn back for real even if the consequence of taking that risk is too big for her to handle.

Lydia gripped the reins before checking on Ahmad. 

As she did, her pupils dilated. 

Ahmad was on alert.

His posture was tense and his right hand was resting at the hilt of his sword.

With how hyper focused he was at their surroundings, she couldn't help but look around too.

However, as soon as she looked ahead, her horse which had stepped into the intersection, reared and neighed, throwing her off balance.

By instinct, she grabbed the reins tighter and squeezed her legs around the horse's girth to prevent herself from falling, but with the horse rearing, she could not maintain her sitting position.

Quickly, her body bent backwards, making her hood come off. As it did, her vision of the sky widened. Then she saw the route they had taken.

When her head was about to hit the rump of the horse, Ahmad extended his hand to support her back. Then he gripped her clothes before pulling her onto his horse.

"Mmmh," Lydia whimpered when her stomach hit the edge of the saddle, but she didn't dare complain nor make another sound when she heard deep breathy growls which grew louder and more aggressive with each second.

'What the hell is going on?' she thought. Her heart racing as the flash of gray and red she saw briefly before the sky, came to her mind.

'Beasts… monsters?' she asked as she dangled at the horse's back.

To rid herself of the pain caused by the saddle, she slid to the right before fumbling for the horse's back so she could support herself and sit, but it didn't work because she could not turn around without sliding off.

When Ahmad's horse came to a complete halt, Lydia felt his firm grip at the side of her arms.

"Pardon me, your highness," he said as he helped her sit properly.

When she saw what's in front of them, she froze.

There were up to twenty massive wolves in front of them, all red eyed, and growling. Some had saliva dripping from their mouth. While others seemed to have just feasted on flesh with their blood stained snouts and fur. 

'What on earth?' 

'They seemed possessed…'

'And… what is that dark blue glow around their bodies?' Lydia thought as her eyes fell on the leader of the pack.

When their eyes met, the wolf's eyes turned back to normal, but after a few seconds, it turned black before turning red again like the rest.

Then it launched at her.

With how swift it was, Lydia involuntarily crossed her arms in front of her to protect herself.

Within milliseconds, she realized she won't be able to shield herself properly that way.

However, she knew she was not carrying anything that could be more useful. With how close it was to her, she knew ducking was too late, either. 

Right when she was about to be bitten, she heard a sword being drawn from its scabbard. Then, the wind beside her was pierced with swift force.

Within a blink of an eye, Ahmad's sword was wedged between the wolf's jaw, but instead of letting his blade cut through its head, he turned his blade horizontally before using his full arm strength to hurl it two meters away to the ground.