The King's Guard

Chapter 6

Kael's blood now trickled from his nose as the strain of using his ability took its toll. He doubled over as blood rushed from his nose as he still didn't know how to control his rare ability.

Taking advantage of the pause, He staggered forward, his vision blurring as exhaustion threatened to overwhelm him. But he knew this was his only chance. With every ounce of strength he had left, Kael drove the dagger deep into the wolf’s throat. The blade sliced through flesh and muscle, finding its mark as the beast’s jugular was severed.

Time resumed, and the wolf collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud. It twitched once, its powerful body fighting against the inevitable, before going still. The only sound left was Kael’s laboured breathing as he stood over the massive corpse, the adrenaline that had kept him going now ebbing away.

Kael staggered backward, his legs giving out as he collapsed to the forest floor beside the dead wolf. His chest heaved with each breath, and pain pulsed through his side where the wolf’s claws had torn into him. Blood dripped steadily from his nose, a side effect of using his rare ability—a power he still didn’t fully understand or control. He wiped the blood away with the back of his hand, feeling the sting of the cut across his face where the wolf had nicked him.

He gazed up at the dense canopy above, the twisted branches forming a dark web against the sky. Even in the dim light filtering through the trees, the Forest of Death lived up to its name. Every shadow seemed to hide something dangerous, every rustle in the undergrowth a potential threat. Kael knew he couldn’t let his guard down, not here.

But for a moment, he allowed himself a small measure of relief. He had faced one of the most feared creatures in the forest and survived. It wasn’t just luck; it was his training, his instincts, and the power within him—though it had cost him dearly. He could still feel the throbbing pain in his head, the aftereffects of using his ability, but there was also a sense of accomplishment that came with it.

Kael glanced at the wolf’s lifeless body. It was massive, easily twice his size, with fur as dark as the night sky. He had heard stories of direwolves before, but seeing one up close—and defeating it—was something else entirely. He could still feel the tension in his muscles, the way his body had reacted on instinct in the heat of battle. He hadn’t hesitated when it mattered, and that gave him a flicker of hope for the trials to come.

But the hour was far from over. Kael knew that this was just the beginning, that the forest held more dangers than just this one wolf. He needed to keep moving, to stay sharp if he was going to survive the rest of the trial.

Grimacing, he pushed himself to his feet, using the wolf’s body for support. His side protested with a sharp stab of pain, but he gritted his teeth and forced himself to ignore it. The dagger, still slick with the wolf’s blood, felt heavier in his hand now. He wiped it clean on the grass before sheathing it, knowing it might be the only weapon he had against whatever came next.

Kael’s senses were on high alert as he began to move through the forest. Every step was deliberate, and every sound was analyzed for potential danger. The forest was a maze of thick undergrowth, fallen trees, and twisted roots that seemed to grab at his feet. The deeper he went, the darker it became, the thick canopy blocking out what little light there was.

He tried to maintain a sense of direction, though it was difficult with everything looking the same—dark, ominous, and full of hidden threats. Occasionally, he’d hear the distant cry of some unknown creature, a reminder that he was far from alone in this place.

As he moved, Kael couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. It was an unsettling sensation, like eyes boring into his back from the shadows. He’d glance over his shoulder, only to see nothing but the dense foliage behind him. But the feeling persisted, gnawing at the edges of his thoughts.

Then, out of nowhere, a low growl echoed from somewhere ahead. Kael froze, his hand instinctively reaching for his dagger. His eyes scanned the darkness, searching for the source of the sound. The growl came again, closer this time, and Kael realized it wasn’t just one—it was several.

Emerging from the underbrush were a pack of smaller wolves, their eyes glowing eerily in the dim light. They weren’t as large as the direwolf he had just killed, but there were at least five of them, and they moved with a lethal coordination that spoke of experience hunting together.

Kael’s heart pounded in his chest as the wolves fanned out, surrounding him on all sides. They moved with a predatory grace, their bodies low to the ground, muscles rippling beneath their fur. Each step they took was deliberate, their eyes never leaving him.

He was in trouble. He was already injured, tired, and still recovering from the fight with the direwolf. Facing one was a challenge he barely survived; facing five was nearly impossible.

But he couldn’t afford to think like that. There was no room for doubt, no time for fear. He had to fight, and he had to win, or he wouldn’t make it out of this forest alive and he wouldn't be a part of the Shadow Corps, what was now then the point? Why had he left his home? He couldn't die here, he can't afford to.

Kael slowly drew his dagger, holding it out in front of him as he turned in a circle, keeping his eyes on the wolves. They snarled, baring their teeth, but they didn’t attack just yet. They were testing him, waiting for the right moment to strike.

One of the wolves, larger than the others, took a step forward, its eyes locked onto Kael’s. It let out a low growl, and the others responded in kind. Kael could feel the tension in the air, the moment before the storm, when everything hung in the balance.

And then, all at once, they lunged.

Kael reacted on instinct, slashing out with his dagger as the first wolf came at him from the side. The blade caught the wolf across the muzzle, drawing a yelp of pain as it recoiled. But the others were on him in an instant, their teeth snapping at his legs and arms.

He fought with everything he had, spinning, kicking, and slashing at the wolves as they came at him from all sides. His training kicked in, the movements ingrained in his muscles after years of practice. But no matter how many times he struck, there was always another wolf, always another set of jaws closing in on him.

One of the wolves managed to latch onto his arm, its teeth sinking into his flesh with a searing pain. Kael cried out, driving his dagger into the wolf’s side with a forceful thrust. The wolf yelped and let go, but the damage was done. Blood flowed freely from the wound, weakening him further.

Another wolf leapt at him, and Kael barely managed to raise his arm in time to block it. The force of the impact knocked him off balance, sending him crashing to the ground. The wolf was on top of him in an instant, its teeth snapping inches from his face. Kael struggled to keep it at bay, his arm straining under the wolf’s weight.

Just as the wolf was about to bite down, Kael summoned the last of his strength and twisted his body, using the momentum to throw the wolf off him. He rolled to his feet, barely managing to stand as the wolves circled him once more.

His vision was starting to blur, the pain and blood loss taking their toll. He could feel his strength waning, but he couldn’t give up. Not now. Not when he was so close.

Kael knew he had only one option left. He had to use his ability again, despite the risk. He focused inward, feeling for the power that lay dormant within him. It responded sluggishly at first, but then with more force as he drew it out.

The wolves, sensing something was happening, hesitated for a moment. That moment was all Kael needed. Time slowed around him once more, the world grinding to a halt as he moved with a speed and precision that seemed impossible.

He struck out at the nearest wolf, his dagger finding its mark as he drove it deep into its chest. He moved to the next one, slashing across its throat before it could react. One by one, he cut them down, the power coursing through him, giving him the edge he needed.

But the strain was immense. He could feel his body rebelling against the use of his ability, the pain in his head intensifying with each passing second. Blood began to drip from his nose again, faster this time, a sure sign that he was pushing himself too far.

By the time the last wolf fell, Kael was on the verge of collapse. The power that had given him the strength to fight was now draining him, leaving him weak and disoriented. He staggered backward, his vision swimming as the world returned to normal speed.

The forest was silent now, the bodies of the wolves scattered around him. He had won but his wounds were severe, his body battered and bruised. He didn’t know how much longer he could keep going, but he had no choice. He had to survive.

Kael fell to his knees, struggling to catch his breath. He wiped the blood from his face, his hands trembling with exhaustion. He doesn't know how long he has been in the forest or how long he has been fighting but what he does know is that his body is about to give up on him.

He had lost too much blood and the pain in his head kept growing. He glanced at the wristband on his hand and considered giving up as he didn't know if he could still survive any more attacks.

Luckily, he wouldn't have to do that as the wristband flashed a bright light enveloping him and just like the last time, his stomach lurched as he was warped away from the forest and back to the compound they started from.

"Hmm..." Archon’s deep voice echoed throughout as he watched the survivors get teleported back.