1. The Outskirts of Kuzren
Mamir, Runya, Ener, and Necor finally reached a small village at the edge of Kuzren after passing through snow-covered mountains. The villagers looked pale and frightened, whispering among themselves as the group approached.
Mamir stepped forward, his voice steady:
— "What has happened here? Why are you so silent?"
An old villager trembled as he spoke:
— "The darkness came. An army of shadows… led by a creature shaped like a wolf-man. He's neither man nor shadow, but something far worse. He will destroy us all."
Mamir gripped his sword tightly, his eyes burning with resolve.
— "We will free your land. I swear it."
The villagers exchanged doubtful looks. One muttered under his breath:
— "This is madness…"
---
2. Toward the Black Gates
The four companions pressed on toward Kuzren's towering black gates. Strangely, the doors were slightly ajar, as if waiting for them.
But as they drew closer, the ground shook violently. From every direction, shadows poured forth until ten thousand dark wolves surrounded them, their red eyes glowing in the storm.
---
3. The Arrival of Vargdur
The wolves parted, making way for a massive figure at the front. A monstrous wolf-man stepped into view — towering, muscle-bound, his eyes gleaming with hunger.
He bared his fangs and spoke in a guttural voice that rumbled like thunder:
— "I am Vargdur! By the will of Ostomas, I will drown all realms in darkness and crush you where you stand!"
Then, with a cruel grin, he added:
— "The ones you've defeated before relied on their armies. But my strategy will be different…"
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4. The Fusion of Shadows
Vargdur stretched his arms wide.
The howling wolf-shadows leapt upon him, merging into his body one by one. His muscles swelled, his bones cracked and grew.
The ground trembled as his form expanded, shadows wrapping around him like armor. When the last wolf had merged, the creature stood nearly six meters tall — a titanic wolf-lord, half-beast, half-shadow. His eyes blazed with a fiery glow, and his claws gleamed like obsidian.
---
5. The Challenge
Vargdur's growl echoed across the icy plain:
— "This is where it ends, little prince!"
Mamir readied his blade, Runya gathered her magic, Ener hefted the massive black sword Necor had once given him, and Necor raised his twin dark blades.
The snowstorm howled around them, and as the giant wolf-lord took his first step forward, the battle for Kuzren was about to begin.
The chapter ends here.