The Fireclaws circled the palisade, their molten hides glowing brighter as the sun dipped lower. Flames dripped from their fangs, hissing when they struck the ground. The wooden walls groaned under each impact, smoke rising where their claws scorched the timber.
Elder stood at the breach, his burned hands clutching the cracked spear. His heart hammered against his ribs, but the Covenant's Seed pulsed like a second heartbeat, filling him with borrowed strength.
The scarred woman—the one the villagers called Captain Mara—shouted orders.
"Hold the line! Don't let them inside! Archers, to the towers!"
Men scrambled into position, though fear clung to their movements. Elder saw it in their eyes—the knowledge that they were outmatched.
The Covenant's voice cut through the chaos.
[Trial: Defend the Weak. Remaining Time – 480 seconds.]
Elder set his stance. Then I'll fight until the last second.
The first Fireclaw lunged at the wall again. Arrows streaked through the air, clattering harmlessly against its armored hide. It landed atop the palisade with a roar, scattering defenders.
Elder charged. His Covenant Sense flared, slowing the beast's movements in his perception. Every muscle in its body screamed its intent—claws poised to strike, flames gathering in its throat.
He thrust his spear upward, not at the throat this time, but at its eye. The tip struck true, sinking deep.
The Fireclaw shrieked, thrashing violently. Elder leapt back as it fell from the wall, crashing to the ground in a blaze of fire and blood.
[Enemy Defeated. Experience Gained: 150.]
[Level Up: 3.]
Strength surged through his veins. His vision sharpened, breath steadying despite exhaustion. He was changing, evolving with each kill.
But there was no time to savor it.
Two more Fireclaws prowled at the gate, flames licking their claws. Villagers screamed as the beasts slammed into the wood, splinters flying.
"They'll break through!" someone cried.
Elder grit his teeth. He sprinted to the gate, Mara at his side. Her sword gleamed with faint enchantment, runes flickering across the blade.
"You fight like a madman," she growled. "Don't fall behind."
"I'll try not to die," Elder shot back, surprising himself with the raw edge in his voice.
The beasts struck again. With a thunderous crack, the gate splintered open. Flames poured through as the Fireclaws forced their way inside.
Chaos erupted. Guards clashed with the beasts, steel clanging uselessly against molten hide. One villager was caught in the flames, his screams piercing the night.
Elder's pulse quickened. He raised his spear, charging at the nearest beast. Mara met the other head-on, her enchanted blade slicing sparks from its hide.
Elder ducked under a swipe, his Covenant Sense guiding his movements. The beast's flames singed his hair as he rammed the spear into its shoulder. It howled, swinging its claws wildly.
The spear snapped. Elder stumbled back, now unarmed.
The Fireclaw roared, lunging at him with fangs bared.
In that moment, the Covenant's Seed burned.
[Skill Unlocked: Covenant Surge.]
[Description: Briefly amplifies strength and reflexes. Duration – 15 seconds.]
Elder felt fire explode in his veins. His muscles screamed with sudden power. He moved faster than thought, seizing a fallen guard's axe and swinging with both hands.
The blade cleaved into the beast's neck, biting deeper than mortal steel should. With a final roar, the Fireclaw collapsed in a shower of sparks.
[Enemy Defeated. Experience Gained: 200.]
His vision blurred. His body ached, drained. But the Trial's timer continued to tick.
Mara shouted nearby, locked in battle with the last beast. Her enchanted blade glowed fiercely, but even she faltered under the monster's relentless strikes.
Without hesitation, Elder rushed in. Together, they struck—the sword cutting across its flank, Elder's axe slamming into its leg.
The Fireclaw toppled. Mara's final thrust pierced its heart, flames sputtering before dying.
Silence fell, broken only by the crackle of burning wood. The beasts lay still, their molten veins dimming.
The system chimed.
[Trial Completed.]
[Reward: Attribute Point +1 | New Skill Fragment Obtained.]
Elder collapsed to his knees, chest heaving. His arms felt like lead, burns stung his skin, but he was alive. More importantly, the village was alive.
The villagers emerged from their homes cautiously, staring at the carnage. Murmurs spread.
"He killed them…"
"Four Fireclaws… with his own hands…"
"An outsider saved us."
For the first time since arriving, Elder saw something other than suspicion in their eyes. Awe. Gratitude.
Mara wiped blood from her cheek, her gaze fixed on him. "You're no ordinary drifter. Whatever you are… Hallowford owes you."
Elder forced himself to stand, gripping the axe for support. His voice was hoarse but steady. "I didn't do it for thanks. If I hadn't fought, we'd all be dead."
The elder council arrived, their expressions grave. They surveyed the battlefield, then turned their eyes to Elder.
"You wield power beyond mortals," the eldest said quietly. "The ruins… the Covenant… it marks you."
Elder's heart skipped. Had they guessed?
But the elder only sighed. "Perhaps fate has placed you here for a reason. Rest tonight. Tomorrow, we will speak."
The villagers dispersed, dragging corpses of beasts to be burned. Mara lingered only long enough to give Elder a curt nod before joining her men.
Elder remained at the gate, staring at the horizon where the crimson sky bled into darkness.
The Covenant's voice whispered coldly.
[Survival achieved. Respect gained. But beware, Vessel. Every victory binds you deeper to the Covenant.]
Elder's grip tightened on the axe. He had survived again. He had earned a place, however fragile, in this new world.
But he knew the Covenant was right. Each step forward pulled him deeper into a destiny he didn't understand.
And somewhere, beyond the mountains and the city of spires, greater predators waited.