The Wolf

"Up ahead." the man in the black tunic said, pointing at some vines lying on the ground.

The vines ahead were long and thick, their twisted shapes lying sprawled across the ground. Their dark green and brown surfaces looked slick and lifeless, and they seemed almost too still, like something was waiting to happen.

"Nice eyes." Garran grinned excitedly.

Evryn looked at what they were talking about, then it clicked. He remembered—these vines were supposed to lash out at you.

Could this be what Cyris was talking about..?

The man in the dark blue tunic, the one with the giant crossbow, moved toward the vines and took something out of his bag.

A pouch—soaked and stained in blood? As soon as he pulled it out, a strong stench filled the air.

Evryn covered his nose. What the hell is that?

The man placed the pouch near the vines, then immediately fell back to where everyone else was.

Garran tightened his grip on the sword, his gaze scanning the area ahead.

"Eryk, head over to those rocks so you have a good vantage point."

Eryk nodded and swiftly moved toward the scattered boulders, positioning himself to get a clear shot from above.

"Dorian, head over there, behind those thick tree roots, pointing."

Dorian grunted in acknowledgment, slipping between the towering trunks, his back pressed to the rough bark as he crouched down, his eyes sharp and alert.

"Ronan, Thorne, and Evryn, you three are with me."

So that's their names. I don't get why I wasn't introduced earlier…

Ronan moved into the shadows, his footsteps silent as he slipped behind a massive tree trunk, staying low, watching for any movement. Thorne, eager for action, darted ahead, positioning himself near a thick cluster of ferns where he could burst forward when needed, ready to draw attention. Evryn hesitated for a moment before following them, the tension in the air making his pulse quicken.

Garran put his hands onto Evryn shoulder stopping him from going anywhere. 

"You are staying out here with me." He said smiling. 

"What?" 

"The creature is going to come to the scent of the pouch, but we will stand here so it has a reason to charge at us."

You've got to be kidding me…Just hearing Garran say that made Evryn's heart skip a beat. He was nervous, but for some reason, a little excited too.

Crunch

The sound echoed from a distance.

Garran readied his stance, eyes locked ahead, waiting for it to come.

Evryn did the same, his hands shaking with anticipation as he braced for what was coming.

From around the corner of a tree, a nose appeared, sniffing the air.

Sniff, sniff, sniff.

The noises grew louder before a massive leg stepped forward.

Then, slowly, the rest of the creature emerged. Its head was high, ears perked, trying to pick up any sounds, its nose working to track the scent.

It came fully into view, lowering its head to get a better look.

Its sharp, glowing blue eyes locked onto Evryn, piercing through the forest gloom.

The wolf was massive, its fur long and grey with black strips running along its back. It could easily stand taller than a house in the village and crush it under its enormous paws.

Oh my god…

Evryn thought in shock. He'd never seen creatures like this, let alone a giant wolf that could crush him with ease.

The wolf lowered its body, inching toward them as though ready to pounce.

"Get ready." Garran muttered under his breath.

Evryn shifted his foot slightly, adjusting his stance, his heart pounding in his chest.

The wolf lunged, mouth wide, saliva dripping from its teeth, strands of it connecting like threads between them. Its head tilted, aiming to scoop them up with ease.

Then…

A sharp crack echoed through the air as the vines, once still, sprang to life. They coiled around the wolf's body, binding its paws to its head in an instant.

The wolf squealed in frustration, trying to break free.

"Now!" Garran shouted.

Without hesitation, Eryk appeared above, launching an arrow straight into the wolf's eye. The beast let out a deafening scream of pain.

Dorian, poised and steady, aimed at the other eye and fired.

Swoosh! The arrow whizzed through the air, but the wolf, sensing the danger, shifted its head just in time. The arrow struck its neck instead.

The wolf snarled, thrashing against the vines.

"Damn it." Dorian muttered to himself.

Ronan and Thorne emerged from the shadows, charging toward the wolf's back legs, their footsteps pounding against the forest floor.

They yelled as they ran, their battle cries echoing through the air.

Why are they yelling? The wolf will hear them… Evryn thought, his eyes wide with disbelief.

The wolf's ears perked up at the sound, and in an instant, it spun around, its body still partially ensnared by the vines.

Just as Thorne swung his longsword toward the beast, the wolf retaliated, its massive leg swinging out, still tangled in the vines.

Thorne missed, his eyes widening in shock and horror as the wolf's leg came crashing toward him. He barely had time to react before the wolf's claws extended, raking across the air and kicking with tremendous force.

Like a ragdoll, Thorne was sent flying through the air, his body crashing into the root of a nearby tree. The impact sent him sliding down the rough bark, a trail of blood marking his path as he crumpled to the ground, unmoving.

"No!" Garran cried out.

Ronan's eyes widened in horror at what had just happened. Before he could fully process it, the wolf's leg snapped toward him at blinding speed.

At the last second, he raised his war hammer, bracing for impact. The force sent him hurtling backward, nearly knocking him off his feet. He crashed against a tree root, grunting in pain as the shock rattled his body.

Dorian didn't hesitate. He nocked another arrow, drawing his bowstring back, his sights locked on the beast.

Before he could release the arrow, the wolf sank its teeth into the vine, tearing through it in a desperate attempt to free itself. 

Swoosh! The arrow whizzed through the air, aimed for the wolf's nose in hopes of staggering it before it could break loose. 

But then—its piercing blue eyes locked onto the arrow. In an instant, the wolf lunged forward. 

Snap.  

The sudden movement not only dodged the arrow but also broke another vine restraining it. 

Everyone's eyes widened in horror. 

This wasn't just a wild beast—it was thinking. It was intelligent.