The forest trembled. Branches shook as two figures rushed through the trees at full speed. Aragorn led the way, his steps sharp and controlled, his breath steady despite the distance. Jessy followed close behind, her movements fast but slightly strained. They were not running on a path. They were cutting through the forest taking a curved, C-shaped route to reach the village faster.
Aragorn's eyes narrowed as he calculated the distance.
Still too far…
If it had been night, he could have used his Shadow Step and reached the village instantly.
But under the harsh noon sun, Shadows were thin.
Weak…..
Disconnected.....
"Damn it…" he muttered quietly
Shadows shrink under the sun… and so does my reach.
Beside him, Jessy ran in silence. But her mind was far away. Just a short while ago… She had been in the kitchen.
Cooking…..
Smiling.....
For the first time in days, she had felt… normal.
And now that same village…was about to be destroyed. Her fists tightened as she ran.
Not again…
Her breathing grew heavier. I won't be late this time. Her eyes sharpened with resolve.
Ahead of them a storm was forming.
Deep within the forest, far beyond their sight something moved.
A massive presence....
The ground trembled slightly with each step. From the darkness, two glowing red eyes opened. A towering figure stepped forward.
Fourteen feet tall....
Massive….. Muscular….
Its skin was dark red, rough like hardened stone. One horn stood tall and sharp , the other… broken...
A scar of past battles.
In one hand, it carried a massive axe.
In the other, a long, brutal sword.
The Buffalo King...!!
And behind him, an army.
Grimfang Village
It had already begun. The village… was gone. Broken wagons lay scattered across the ground.
Horses….dead….
Blood soaked the soil…..
Bodies lay everywhere...
Some still….
Some… being eaten...
Smoke rose slowly into the sky as houses burned. The screams had faded. Only low growls remained.
Fourteen to fifteen wolf monsters roamed freely now. Their eyes glowed with hunger. Their claws scratched against the large wooden inn at the center of the village.
Scratch… Scratch…
Inside,
Fear...…
Around thirty to forty survivors remained,
Children….
Women…..
A few men…..
Seven guards...
The Chief...
Kai…..
All trapped inside,
Praying…..Hoping…..Waiting....
"Hold the door!" one guard shouted.
The wolves outside slammed against it again and again.
CRACK….!!
The wood began to break,
"Push it! Don't let them in!"
Another hit,
BOOM…..!!
The door shattered. Two wolves rushed inside.
Then a third…..
And a fourth...
They moved fast…..
Too fast…..
One guard barely had time to react before his head was torn off. Blood splashed across the floor.
Another tried to strike but a wolf lunged, Its jaws closing around his throat.
A scream then silence. Chaos erupted,
"Fall back! Fall back!"
The remaining guards struggled to hold them. But it was useless.
From outside, More footsteps…..More growls.
The horde had arrived.....
Windows shattered….Walls shook.
Serpent beasts slithered through the village, devouring livestock.
More wolves rushed toward the inn.
Inside,
Panic…..
Crying....
Fear...
From the second floor, the Chief and Kai watched everything.
Helpless.....
"This… this can't be…" Kai whispered, trembling.
"They're all going to die…"
The Chief clenched his fists. But he said nothing.
Because he knew it was true.
Then a voice cut through the chaos.
"Everyone—MOVE UPSTAIRS!"
The room froze, the wolves turned.
The survivors looked toward the shadows. And then the shadows moved. They stretched unnaturally across the floor,Darkness gathered,
And from within it a figure stepped out.
Aragorn....
Silence fell…..
For a moment even the wolves hesitated.
"Aragorn…!" someone whispered.
Hope returned.
At the same time…..
CRASH!
A window shattered Jessy leapt inside, landing lightly with her sword drawn.
"Everyone, follow me!" she shouted.
"Move! Now!"
Aragorn didn't look back
"Jessy," he said calmly, stepping forward, "take them upstairs. Guard the stairs."
"Don't let anything pass."
Jessy nodded instantly, "Understood!"
She turned.
"Everyone, this way! Stay together!"
The villagers rushed behind her , Aragorn stepped forward. Two swords formed in his hands.
One dark as night , the other silver and sharp. The wolves growled. Aragorn's eyes turned cold.
"You've had your feast…" he said quietly. Then raised his blade.
"…now it's my turn."
The wolves attacked. Four at once.
Aragorn moved.
Fast…..
Precise…..
The first wolf lunged…Slash. Its body split in half mid air. The second came from the side Aragorn twisted his blade cut clean through its neck. The third tried to circle a shadow rose from the ground binding its legs before Aragorn drove his sword through its skull. The fourth roared charging straight at him.
Aragorn didn't move. At the last second he stepped forward.
One strike….
Clean….
Silent…..
The wolf fell,
All four…..Dead…..
Within seconds.....
Behind him, Jessy stood at the stairs, blocking the path.
No beast passed her. No one got through. Aragorn exhaled slowly.
Then turned toward the broken entrance. His eyes darkened. He raised his hand,
"Shadow… Guard...."
The ground trembled. Outside, Darkness rose. Like liquid night.
Shadows climbed the walls of the inn.
Wrapping around it...
Covering it...
Sealing it…..
From every direction the building was swallowed by darkness.
A barrier...
A shield...
Inside everyone watched in silence.
Then relief spread.They were safe.
For now....
Aragorn lowered his hand.
"No need to fear," he said calmly, "I've secured the building."
"It won't last forever… but it will hold."
The Chief stepped forward, his face filled with emotion.
"Aragorn… you're alive…"
He bowed slightly
"Thank you… you've saved us."
Aragorn shook his head
"Focus on the people."
The Chief hesitated, "Will this barrier hold long?"
Aragorn glanced at the walls
"Long enough…. I hope….."
Then he asked, "The bell… you rang it?"
"Yes," the Chief replied, "Wolfden should send help… by evening, I hope."
Aragorn nodded silently.
Then spoke firmly
"Don't let their morale fall."
"Right now, fear is more dangerous than the enemy."
"Go to them, give them hope."
The Chief understood. He nodded.
And went upstairs Kai stood nearby.
Silent…..
Shaken…..
He looked at Aragorn. Then gave a small nod. And turned away.
Aragorn watched him for a moment.
Then looked down. I don't know how long I can protect them…
Outside the village was gone.
Destroyed…..
The horde had gathered,
Waiting….Watching...
And from the forest a massive figure emerged.
Step by step…..
Heavy...Slow….Dominant...
The Buffalo King…..!
One broken horn…..Red body...
Weapons in both hands…..
Eyes locked on the inn...
The ground trembled beneath him.
The real battle…Had yet to begin...…