NHI04

Synopsis:

In the war-scarred land of Eldoria, where ancient powers sleep and kingdoms tremble beneath political unrest, a boy named Synoh Vindral rises from tragedy.

Once a hunted child fleeing with his dying mother, Synoh’s only companion was a mysterious black wolf named Fel, the son of the legendary beast Fenrir. Trained in secret by a nameless knight—his own father in disguise—Synoh grows into a prodigious swordsman, mastering the elusive Shadow Dance style and carrying the burden of a forgotten prophecy.

At the prestigious Knight Academy, Synoh meets Lux Alaric, a noble and fellow prodigy who dreams of changing the world. Together, they forge a brotherhood tested by rivalries, betrayals, bloodshed, and the heavy cost of leadership.

As dark forces awaken and the ancient prophecy looms, Synoh must uncover the secrets of his origin — and decide whether he will rise as Eldoria’s savior... or become the harbinger of its destruction.

In a world on the brink of chaos, the howl of destiny cannot be silenced.

BlackWolf Origin

Chapter 32:The Village of Lake Beck

The lake was calm—too calm. Glassy waters stretched as far as the eye could see, reflecting the village's lanterns like scattered stars. Wooden boats rocked gently at the docks, fishermen unloading their catches with practiced ease.

Captain Elara led Division 10 through the main pier toward the village chief's hall, their boots clapping against the worn planks. Yet, beneath the serene surface of Lake Beck, whispers stirred.

As they passed a small crowd of locals mending nets, an elderly fisherman glanced up at the newcomers.

"You're here about the disappearances, aren't you?" he asked, voice low.

Elara gave a polite nod. "We'll speak with your chief shortly."

The old man leaned on his cane, his gaze drifting out to the endless water. "You should know… some say it's a monster sleeping in the depths. My father swore it was a dragon—scales like emerald and gold, big enough to swallow a boat whole."

A younger fisherman nearby shook his head. "No dragon. My grandmother said it's a spirit—something older than the lake itself. If you disturb it, you vanish."

The two men bickered quietly, their voices carrying just enough for the knights to hear.

Ursa crossed her arms. "Dragon, spirit, whatever it is—it's probably not friendly."

Dred smirked. "Sounds like fun to me."

Synoh, however, kept his eyes on the still waters, Fel's voice murmuring faintly in his mind.

…There's something down there. And it's been awake for a while.

The chief's hall was a tall wooden structure at the edge of the pier, its walls decorated with fishing trophies, faded maps, and a massive preserved fish skull with teeth like daggers. The smell of lakewater and old timber filled the air.

Chief Roan, a broad-shouldered man with hair grayed from salt and sun, stood to greet them.

"Captain Elara, Vice-Captain Ursa, Division 10," he said, his voice as deep as the lake outside. "You came sooner than I expected. Good."

Elara clasped his hand firmly. "We came as soon as the message reached us. Tell us about the disappearances."

"It started three weeks ago. First, a lone fisherman. Then two boys who swam out past the docks. Last night… three women gathering water at the shore." He paused, his gaze heavy. "No bodies. No traces. Just… gone."

Dred frowned. "No blood, no signs of a fight?"

The chief shook his head. "Nothing. But the strange thing is—people near the lake at night… they hear something."

Meth tilted her head. "Hear what?"

"A sound like… humming," Roan said slowly. "Soft at first. Then it pulls you toward the water, like a rope around your soul."

A shiver ran through the room. Even Ursa's usual unimpressed expression shifted slightly.

Elara straightened. "And the legend about a monster in the lake?"

The chief sighed. "Old stories. My grandfather told me it's a dragon. Others say it's a spirit. I say… it's something that doesn't want to be found."

At that, Synoh felt Fel stir uneasily in his mind.

"That humming… if it's what I think it is, you're dealing with something worse than a dragon, Synoh."