Night falls like a warning.
A small scouting group moves cautiously through the forest—wolves loyal to Aria, sent to monitor the outer territories. They are skilled, alert, careful.
But not prepared.
The attack is instant.
Silent.
Precise.
One moment, the forest is still.
The next—
Shadows descend.
Figures emerge from the darkness, faster than sight, stronger than anything they’ve faced before. Blades flash. Wolves shift mid-combat—but it makes no difference.
They are overwhelmed.
Outmatched.
Hunted.
“Fall back!” one of them shouts—but the order dies in his throat as he’s slammed to the ground.
Within minutes—
It’s over.
No survivors escape.
Chains bite into wrists.
Bodies are dragged through the forest like trophies.
And the night swallows their screams.
Miles away, de
