Chapter 34: Ynah

The forest was eerily silent, save for the distant rustle of leaves and the soft crunch of twigs under Ynah's boots. Her breaths were shallow, heavy with frustration.

"Those three left me behind... shit," she muttered through clenched teeth, limping slightly. Her clothes were torn, her arms bruised, and a line of blood ran from her temple down to her jaw. "As if I'd die just 'cause of some damn eruption."

Still, the sting of being left behind burned in her chest more than the scratches and bruises. She kicked a branch out of her path and marched forward, head high.

Then rustling. A series of sharp, unnatural sounds echoed around her. From the shadows emerged creatures with bark for skin and glowing amber eyes. Their movements were stiff, their growls guttural.

"Oh, come on. Just give me a damn break," Ynah growled, stepping back and raising her hand.

The creatures growled something in a garbled tongue and charged at her.

"Mind Circle!" she shouted.

A glowing circle of psychic energy burst from her, pulsing with power. The moment the creatures crossed into its radius, they froze.

Ynah smirked, blood dripping from her brow but pride glinting in her eyes. "You're mine now. Kill your comrades."

Under her command, the creatures turned on each other with feral rage. Limbs cracked. Roars pierced the air. Bark splintered.

She stood at the center of the chaos, unshaken.

"That's right. Rip each other apart."

Soon, only one creature remained, panting and broken.

"Kill yourself," she said coldly.

It obeyed, driving its wooden spear into its chest, crumbling into dust.

Ynah wiped sweat and blood from her face. "Now, who's next?"

Clap. Clap. Clap.

A slow, mocking applause echoed through the trees. A man stepped from the shadows, his cloak whispering over the ground.

"Magnificent powers..." he said, eyes gleaming. "But still not enough to stop me."

Ynah's expression hardened. "Who the hell are you?"

Instead of answering, he raised his hand. In a flash, a hundred shadowy blades materialized and launched at her. Ynah's Mind Circle shield blocked many, but several slashed through, slicing her shoulder, leg, and cheek.

She dropped to one knee, biting back a scream. Blood soaked her side.

"Who. Are. You?!" she roared, rage burning in her eyes.

The figure laughed. "You know me. Come on, think... smart head."

His voice. It tickled her memory. Someone from the academy. An Alpha.

Her eyes widened. "You're one of us..."

He grinned. "Bingo. The question is... who?"

With a flick of his wrist, more blades formed. Darker. More powerful. He hurled them at her, pinning her to a tree by her limbs. She screamed in pain.

He approached, fingers glowing with dark magic. "Should I kill you now? You'll be such a pain in the future."

"No," she growled, defiant even in agony. "Not like this."

He chuckled. "Funny, how an Alpha begs."

Her eyes narrowed. "But you're an Alpha too... aren't you?"

He hesitated, then smiled. "You're right. I am. But which one?"

As he raised his hand to finish her off, a new voice rang out.

"Disperse."

His spell dissolved midair.

Ynah blinked, eyes straining through the blood.

A figure stood in front of her, blocking the attacker. Calm, powerful.

"Need my help... princess?"

...