The air grew colder the deeper they ventured. Trees loomed taller, their bark gnarled and darkened as if the very forest were recoiling from something it could not contain.
Each step was cautious. Silent.
Then, they saw it.
A clearing up ahead, dead and lifeless. No birds. No insects. No wind. Just a single presence standing in the middle of the decay.
It was massive.
At least four times the size of a man, covered in layers of thick, moss-coated fur, spikes of bone curling from its back like twisted thorns. Its glowing amber eyes locked onto them instantly, lips curling to reveal jagged, bloodstained teeth.
Tessa froze. "W-what is that…?"
Before anyone could respond, the beast moved, with terrifying speed, launching forward like a cannon.
Straight at Tessa.
"NO!" Liora screamed, heart slamming in her chest.
Tessa tried to dodge, but fear rooted her legs.
A shadow passed in front of her,
CRASH!
Garth slammed into the monster mid-charge, his massive body blocking the full brunt of the impact. The force sent him skidding backward, boots digging trenches into the earth as he grunted through the pain, arms braced against the creature's fangs just inches from his throat.
"Stay behind me, girl!" Garth growled.
Nellie was already moving, her face stripped of all light-heartedness, now focused and cold. "It's him. This is the one causing the surge."
"S-Rank Beast," Garth spat, pushing back with a roar. "No mistake."
Liora's blade trembled slightly in her grip, not from fear, but fury. "Tessa! Run!"
Tessa blinked, stunned. "But!"
"RUN BACK TO THE VILLAGE!" Liora yelled, her voice sharp and commanding. "Tell the guild. Tell them we've confirmed an S-Rank Beast in the northern forest and we need reinforcements, NOW!"
The monster thrashed, nearly knocking Garth off balance, but Nellie darted in, slashing one of its tendons and distracting it long enough for Garth to recover.
Tessa's heart pounded. Her legs trembled. She looked once more at Liora, eyes wide and filled with hesitation.
"GO!" Liora screamed, stepping between her and the beast. "That's an order, Tessa!"
Tessa nodded, eyes glassy, and turned, sprinting into the dark forest, her feet pounding the soil as tears slipped down her cheeks.
Behind her, the sounds of steel clashing, roars, and shouted orders echoed through the trees.
She didn't stop.
She had to get help.