The roar that shattered the tense silence wasn't merely a sound; it was a force that seemed to shake the earth itself. The trees quivered as if they feared what was coming. Emilia's breath hitched as a primal instinct screamed at her to run, yet her legs refused to move.
Liam and Darius, standing as opposing sentinels on either side of her, froze as the vibration of the growl settled into the air. Their postures were starkly different—Liam's tense, prepared to fight, while Darius's calm demeanor hinted at calculation.
"Stay behind me," Liam said, his voice edged with urgency.
Darius scoffed. "She's safer by my side, pup. Whatever is coming won't be appeased by bravado and brawn."
Another roar erupted, closer this time, carrying with it a guttural resonance that sent birds scattering from their perches. Emilia took an involuntary step back, her chest tight with the overwhelming sense of being hunted.
Before she could process what was happening, the shadows ahead parted to reveal a creature unlike anything she had ever seen. It stood at least ten feet tall, its form a grotesque blend of wolf and something far darker. Its fur was midnight black, streaked with silver scars, and its eyes glowed an unnatural amber that seemed to pierce through the soul.
Liam growled low in his throat, stepping protectively in front of Emilia. "A Voidbeast," he muttered.
Darius's expression remained calm, but there was an edge of recognition in his gaze. "So, the ancient rumors are true."
"What is that?" Emilia whispered, her voice trembling.
"A creation of blood magic," Liam answered, his voice tight. "A weapon, designed for destruction and chaos."
The Voidbeast didn't wait for pleasantries. It charged with unnatural speed, its massive claws ripping through the ground as it barreled toward them.
"Move!" Liam shouted, shoving Emilia aside as he shifted mid-leap to intercept the creature.
The impact was catastrophic. The ground beneath them shook as Liam, now in his wolf form, collided with the beast. Snarls and growls filled the air as they wrestled, claws and fangs clashing in a blur of violence.
Darius watched for a moment, his lips pressing into a thin line. Then, with a sigh, he stepped forward. "I suppose I'll have to dirty my hands after all."
Emilia watched in stunned silence as Darius shifted into a wolf far larger than Liam's. His fur was a deep silver, almost luminous in the moonlight, and his movements were eerily fluid, as though he had done this countless times before. He launched himself into the fray, joining Liam in their fight against the Voidbeast.
The clash of the three titans was nothing short of catastrophic. Trees splintered and toppled, the forest floor becoming a battlefield of broken earth and blood. Emilia stumbled back, her eyes darting around for cover.
Amid the chaos, she noticed something glinting on the ground nearby—a small, rune-inscribed dagger. Its hilt seemed to pulse with an otherworldly light, as though calling to her.
Her heart pounded as she hesitated. She had no training, no understanding of what she was doing, but something deep inside urged her to pick it up.
The moment her fingers closed around the dagger, a surge of energy shot through her, nearly knocking her to the ground. Visions flashed before her eyes—shattered memories of battles, wolves, and a man who bore a striking resemblance to her.
"Emilia!" Liam's voice broke through her daze, snapping her back to the present.
She looked up to see the Voidbeast gaining the upper hand. Despite their combined efforts, Liam and Darius were struggling against its sheer strength and unnatural agility.
"Use the dagger!" Darius shouted, his voice strained as he dodged a swipe from the creature's claws.
Emilia hesitated, her grip tightening on the blade. "I don't know how!"
"Trust your instincts!" Liam yelled, his wolf form bleeding from multiple gashes as he lunged at the creature again.
Taking a shaky breath, Emilia stepped forward, her gaze locked on the beast. The dagger seemed to guide her movements, her steps becoming surer with each passing second.
The Voidbeast turned its massive head toward her, its glowing eyes narrowing. It roared, charging at her with feral determination.
Emilia raised the dagger, her fear giving way to a surge of resolve. As the creature closed in, she ducked beneath its swinging claws and drove the blade deep into its chest.
The reaction was instantaneous. The Voidbeast let out a bone-rattling screech, its body convulsing as tendrils of dark energy erupted from the wound. Emilia stumbled back, shielding her eyes as the creature's form began to disintegrate, its howls fading into nothingness.
When the silence returned, Emilia opened her eyes to see only a charred mark on the ground where the Voidbeast had been.
Liam and Darius shifted back into their human forms, both battered and bruised. Liam's gaze softened as he approached her. "You did it," he said, his voice filled with a mix of relief and pride.
But Darius's expression was more guarded. He looked at the dagger in her hand, his eyes narrowing. "Where did you find that?"
Emilia held it up, the runes now glowing faintly. "It was here… waiting for me."
Darius's jaw tightened. "That dagger isn't just a weapon. It's a key."
"A key to what?" Liam asked, his tone wary.
"To unlocking who she truly is," Darius said, his gaze fixed on Emilia.
Before anyone could respond, a voice echoed from the shadows.
"You've only scratched the surface, little wolf."
They turned to see a figure stepping into the clearing, cloaked in darkness but exuding a presence that made the air feel heavier.
The voice was calm yet dripping with malice.
"And now, the real game begins."