The Crimson Dawn

Chapter 10

The dense forest of Taryndale was alive with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant bird calls. The group moved cautiously, their weapons ready as they scanned the area for any sign of the escaped Fey beasts. Aydin led the way, holding the glowing amulet in his hand. The faint pulse of light it emitted wasn’t strong enough to indicate a nearby creature, but it kept them all on edge.

“We’ll cover more ground if we split up,” Aydin suggested after they had been searching for hours.

Stella nodded, though both Gedeon and Aydin exchanged uneasy glances.

“I’ll go with her,” Finn offered quickly, stepping beside Stella.

Gedeon immediately frowned. “Are you sure? Stella can handle herself, but—”

“I’ll be fine,” Stella cut him off, rolling her eyes. “We’ll stay close. If something happens, you’ll hear it.”

Reluctantly, Gedeon nodded, but his jaw tightened as Finn gave Stella a charming smile.

The group split into pairs, with Gedeon and Barrett heading north, Derick and Raphael taking the west, Ari and Aydin venturing east. Stella and Finn moved south into the deeper woods.

The forest grew quieter as Stella and Finn walked, the towering trees casting long shadows across the mossy ground. Finn tried to make conversation, his tone light.

“You know, you’re quite impressive,” he said, glancing at Stella. “Your beauty matches your skill with those daggers.”

Stella arched a brow at him but offered a polite smile, “Thanks.”

Finn hesitated, then added, “But I can’t help but wonder… do the others know you’re a Kitsune?”

Stella froze mid-step, her breath catching in her throat. Slowly, she turned to Finn, her daggers flashing as she pressed one to his throat.

“How do you know?” she hissed, her voice low and dangerous.

Finn raised his hands in surrender, his eyes wide but calm. “I mean no harm, Stella. I swear. I’m a friend.”

“Answer the question,” she demanded, her blade pressing harder.

Finn swallowed. “I was a loyal servant to the Kitsunes before…” His voice faltered, and his gaze dropped. “Before they were wiped out.”

Stella’s grip on the dagger loosened slightly, her curiosity battling her suspicion. “How do I know you’re telling the truth?”

Finn’s lips parted, but before he could answer, the sharp crack of a twig snapped their attention to the side.

Stella turned toward the sound, her daggers raised, her senses heightened. The air grew thick, and an unnatural squishing sound reached her ears, sending a chill down her spine.

“Finn?” she whispered without turning back.

When there was no response, Stella glanced over her shoulder—and gasped. Finn’s throat had been slashed open, blood pouring from the wound as his lifeless body crumpled to the ground.

“Finn!” she cried, but her voice caught in her throat as a low, guttural growl resonated behind her.

Stella froze, the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end. Slowly, she turned, coming face-to-face with the creature. A massive werewolf, its fur matted and dark as night, towered over her. Its piercing golden eyes locked onto her, unblinking and predatory.

The beast lowered its head, sniffing the air before its wet nose trailed across her skin. Its hot breath made her stomach churn, and when its tongue licked her chest, she gritted her teeth, suppressing a shudder of revulsion.

Stella’s grip on her daggers tightened, ready to strike. Just as she moved to lunge, the forest erupted with a booming shout.

“GET AWAY FROM HER!”

Barrett crashed through the underbrush like a boulder, his massive axe raised high. The werewolf roared, its attention snapping to the giant of a man charging toward it.

Before the beast could react, Aydin appeared out of nowhere, grabbing Stella and yanking her out of harm’s way just as the werewolf’s claws swiped through the air where she’d stood.

“Stay behind me!” Aydin commanded, his Iron Shooter already aimed.

The fight erupted, the forest alive with the sounds of clashing steel, gunfire, and the beast’s deafening roars.

The werewolf lunged at Barrett, its claws glinting in the dim forest light. Barrett met it head-on, swinging his massive axe with a roar that matched the beast’s ferocity. The clash sent shockwaves through the air, the sound of metal meeting fur and bone echoing through the woods.

Aydin fired his Iron Shooter, the sharp crack cutting through the chaos. The iron ball hit its mark, grazing the werewolf’s shoulder and eliciting a howl of pain. He reloaded quickly, his sharp eyes scanning for another opening.

Stella had been pushed behind a tree by Aydin, but her instincts screamed at her to join the fray. She gripped her daggers tightly, her heart pounding in her chest.

“Stay put!” Aydin barked, his voice sharp as he kept his weapon trained on the beast.

From the shadows, a fiery flash of red appeared as Ari darted into the scene, her staff glowing with a soft green light. She moved swiftly, her pale face set in determination as she chanted an incantation under her breath. The roots of nearby trees surged from the ground, wrapping around the werewolf’s hind legs and momentarily pinning it in place.

“It won’t hold for long!” Ari shouted. “Barrett, now!”

Barrett grinned savagely, his axe raised high. He brought it down with a thunderous blow, but the werewolf twisted at the last second, breaking free of the roots and leaping back. The axe missed by inches, embedding itself deep into the earth.

The beast turned its glowing golden eyes on Ari, snarling as it crouched low, preparing to lunge.

“Not today!” Raphael yelled, emerging from the trees with his longsword drawn. He intercepted the werewolf mid-leap, slamming his blade against its claws with a shower of sparks. The impact sent both him and the beast stumbling back.

Ari rushed to Raphael’s side, her hands glowing with healing light. “You’re reckless!” she hissed as she steadied him, her magic quickly mending a scratch across his arm.

The werewolf let out an ear-splitting roar and turned its attention to Aydin, who fired again. This time, the shot struck the beast’s thigh, forcing it to stagger. Barrett seized the opportunity, charging forward with a primal yell. His axe connected with the werewolf’s side, the blade sinking deep.

The creature howled in agony, but it wasn’t done yet. It lashed out wildly, knocking Barrett back and leaving him winded on the ground.

“Stella, now!” Aydin called, his voice urgent.

Without hesitation, Stella sprang from her hiding spot, her daggers gleaming. She darted around the beast with incredible speed, her blades slicing through its exposed flank. The werewolf turned, trying to catch her, but her agility kept her just out of reach.

Ari raised her staff, fire flickering along its edge as she summoned a burst of flame. The fire struck the werewolf square in the chest, sending it reeling.

“Finish it!” Raphael yelled, plunging his sword into the creature’s back.

Barrett, now recovered, roared as he swung his axe one final time. The blade cleaved through the werewolf’s neck, and with a sickening thud, the beast’s head hit the ground.

The forest fell silent, save for the group’s ragged breathing. Blood soaked the earth, the werewolf’s massive body lying motionless.

Ari lowered her staff, her fiery hair sticking to her sweat-soaked face. “Is everyone okay?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

“I’m fine,” Barrett said, leaning heavily on his axe. “But damn, that thing hit hard.”

Stella knelt by Finn’s body, her hands shaking as she closed his lifeless eyes. “He knew,” she whispered, her whispered voice breaking. “He knew what I was.”

Aydin approached her, placing a hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry, Stella,” he said softly.

Stella wiped her eyes quickly, standing. “We need to keep moving,” she said, her voice firm despite the tears threatening to fall.

Aydin nodded and turned to the group. “Let’s gather ourselves and get back to Taryndale. One beast down, six to go.”