The forest erupted with a snarl that tore through the quiet morning.Aarav's breath caught in his throat as the Raksh-Wolf stepped out from the mist — larger than before, its black fur bristling like iron needles. Its red eyes burned with fury, and the ground itself seemed to flinch beneath its steps.
Prithvi froze. His hand trembled as the faint warmth of his mark pulsed under his shirt.
"Run, Prithvi!" Aarav shouted, pulling his wooden spear free. His voice cracked, but didn't falter. "Go! Now!"
"But—"
"Go!"
The command snapped like thunder. Prithvi hesitated only for a heartbeat before turning and sprinting toward the deeper woods. Two smaller shapes — Raksh-Wolf pups, lean and vicious — broke from the shadows, their snarls echoing as they ran after him.
Aarav's blood went cold. But there was no time to chase — the alpha lunged.
He barely rolled aside as claws tore through bark where his chest had been. The impact splintered a tree trunk, scattering wood shards through the air. Aarav slashed with his spear, catching the creature's shoulder — dark blood hissed like acid as it hit the soil.
The beast howled.
Aarav steadied his breath, just like his father once taught him before.Focus. Read the rhythm.
The wolf circled him, growling low, waiting for him to falter. Aarav shifted his stance, spear held low, sweat streaking his face. He could feel his arms trembling — from fear, from exhaustion — but he held on.
It lunged again. Aarav pivoted, thrusting his spear upward. The tip scraped along its jaw, then snapped clean in half under its weight.
Aarav stumbled back, weapon useless. The wolf loomed, fangs glinting.
"Come on, then," he muttered through clenched teeth. "You're not touching him."
He grabbed a fallen branch, swung it with both hands. The blow cracked across the creature's mouth, stunning it just long enough for him to dart behind a tree. His heart hammered in his chest. He could still hear Prithvi's footsteps fading away — and the distant growls of the younger wolves chasing.
Every instinct screamed to run after his brother.But he couldn't.Not until this one fell.
The Raksh-Wolf turned again, maddened. Its claws tore up the earth as it charged. Aarav dived to the side, rolling beneath a low branch, grabbing a sharp stone. As the beast lunged, he slashed upward — catching its eye.
A roar of agony split the air.
Aarav was thrown back by the force of its thrash, crashing hard against a tree. Pain exploded through his ribs, and blood filled his mouth. But even as his vision blurred, he forced himself up, clutching the broken spear shaft like a dagger.
The beast staggered, half-blind, rage unending. Aarav met its charge head-on this time — ducking low, driving the broken spear into its throat. The impact shook his arm to the bone.
The creature howled and crashed to the ground, thrashing wildly. Aarav fell to his knees, panting, chest heaving. His hand shook as he held the spear in place.
"Stay… down…" he gasped.
But the wolf didn't die easily. Its claws scraped the earth, dragging itself toward him even as blood poured from its wound. Aarav's eyes widened — he tried to pull back, but exhaustion locked his body.
Then —A shriek in the distance. Prithvi's voice.
Aarav's head snapped up. "Prithvi—!"
The Raksh-Wolf surged forward, knocking him flat.
The forest echoed with growls and breaking branches. Blood, mist, and the sound of struggle filled the air — and then, silence.
Only the faint rustle of leaves and the echo of a boy's voice remained.