The sun had barely crept higher into the sky when the howls broke the silence once more, sending a chill down Eryk’s spine. He could feel the shift in the air, the sudden sense of urgency that pulled at him, urging him to run faster, harder, as though the very earth beneath his feet had sensed the danger and was pushing him forward.

Kael was already ahead, his strides long and quick as he cut through the dense woods, pushing through the thick underbrush with ease. But Eryk’s legs were growing heavy, the burn of exhaustion creeping in, mixing with the dark, pulsing energy that still hummed beneath his skin.

The power was there—always there—bubbling beneath the surface, threatening to surge forward at the slightest provocation. He could feel it, deep in his chest, like a wild animal wanting to break free. It made his heart race faster, his senses sharper, but it also filled him with a gnawing dread. Was this the power Velkor had spoken of? Was this what he had unleashed?

Kael glanced back over his shoulder, his eyes narrowing. “Keep up, Eryk! They’re closing in on us.”

Eryk nodded, pushing harder, forcing his legs to carry him forward. But the howls were getting closer—closer than they had been just moments ago. The wolves were fast, relentless, and they knew the land better than any human ever could. They were hunting them, not just for sport, but for something far darker. And Eryk was the prey.

The thought hit him like a blow to the chest.

He was their target. He had been ever since the moment the magic had awakened inside him. And Velkor—he was just the beginning. The wolves were only the first wave of the dangers that awaited them.

“We have to get to the river,” Kael shouted over his shoulder, his voice cutting through Eryk’s racing thoughts. “It’s the only way to throw them off our trail.”

Eryk’s mind barely registered the words. His body was moving on autopilot, instinct kicking in as his senses were overwhelmed by the sounds of the forest and the ever-growing presence of the wolves in the distance. The howls had turned into a chorus of snarls, echoing through the trees like a warning.

Kael’s pace quickened, and Eryk pushed himself harder to keep up, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The trees blurred around him, the underbrush scraping at his legs as he followed Kael through the wild terrain. Every muscle screamed in protest, but there was no stopping now.

The air grew heavy, thick with the scent of wet earth and the faintest trace of pine, but under that, Eryk could smell something else—a scent far more primal. Wolf. It was a scent that made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end.

Ahead, Kael halted abruptly, turning to face him. “There’s no time to waste. They’re almost on us.”

Eryk skidded to a halt beside him, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. He could feel the wolves now—close, too close. The air was electric with tension, as if the forest itself held its breath.

And then, it happened.

A shape darted between the trees, moving faster than Eryk could blink. A blur of fur and movement, a shadow on the edges of his vision. It was a wolf—no, more than a wolf. A massive creature, with eyes that glowed an unnatural amber, the light in them cold and predatory.

Eryk froze, his heart hammering in his chest as he stared at the creature, the sheer size and power of it paralyzing him. This was no normal wolf. This was a hunter. And it wasn’t alone.

The pack was here.

“There’s too many of them,” Kael muttered under his breath, unsheathing his sword. His eyes were sharp, his posture defensive, but there was a hint of desperation in his gaze. “We need to make a stand, or we won’t make it to the river.”

Eryk swallowed hard, his gaze never leaving the massive wolf that stood just a few yards away. It growled, low and menacing, its eyes locked onto Eryk as if it could sense the power within him. He could feel the tension in the air, the magic rising inside him like a wave, threatening to break free.

“Kael... what if I can’t control it?” Eryk whispered, his voice tight with fear. “What if it takes over?”

Kael’s eyes softened for a moment, and he stepped closer, his voice low and fierce. “You don’t have to do this alone. I’m right here with you. We’ll fight together.”

But even as he said it, the wolf lunged.

It was a blur of fur and claws, the massive creature crashing through the underbrush with a deafening roar. Eryk barely had time to react before Kael moved, his sword flashing through the air, slashing at the wolf’s attack.

The wolf let out a feral snarl, narrowly avoiding Kael’s strike. Its eyes glinted with intelligence, an unsettling gleam that told Eryk this wasn’t just a simple predator. This creature—this pack—was organized, driven by something far beyond instinct.

And in that moment, Eryk knew they weren’t just hunting for food. They were hunting for him.

The first wolf retreated, only to be replaced by another, this one larger than the first, its fangs bared in a snarl that echoed through the trees. Eryk’s breath caught in his throat as he felt the surge of magic rise again, twisting through him like a coiled serpent, demanding to be unleashed.

He couldn’t hold it back anymore.

A guttural cry escaped him as his hands clenched into fists, the power inside him roaring to life. The air crackled with energy as Eryk felt the magic swell, building with an intensity that took his breath away. His vision blurred with a flash of light, and he didn’t recognize the force that surged through him.

Before Kael could even react, the air around them shimmered, and a shockwave of energy exploded outward. The wolf that had been poised to attack was sent flying, its body skidding across the forest floor, crashing into a tree with a sickening thud.

Eryk collapsed to his knees, panting, his body trembling as the power receded, leaving him breathless and disoriented. The forest was silent now, the wolves no longer visible, though their presence still lingered in the air.

Kael knelt beside him, his expression a mixture of awe and concern. “Eryk...”

Eryk shook his head, his voice strained. “I... I didn’t mean to... I don’t know what just happened.”

Kael placed a steady hand on his shoulder, his grip firm but gentle. “You unleashed it. The power inside you—it’s raw, uncontrolled, but it’s yours.”

Eryk’s mind swirled with confusion and fear. What had he just done? How much of himself had he lost in that explosion of magic?

But before he could voice his thoughts, a low growl rumbled from the darkness.

The wolves were regrouping. And this time, they wouldn’t stop until they had him.

“Get ready,” Kael warned, his voice hardening as he drew his sword. “This is just the beginning.”