Kael.
Morning.
We were already walking. Jane scouting ahead.
"For some reason I feel like I slept well last night," I said. "Did I do something?"
Rael turned red. "Shut up already. You're going to wake the monsters."
"Huh? Why are you red this early in the morning?"
Her eyes widened. "I said shut up!"
THUD.
She punched me.
I bent slightly. "Violence this early feels unnecessary. My body hasn't even loaded properly yet."
Liora was on Kairo's back. Still asleep.
We had tried everything. Nothing worked. I was surprised that Rael's yelling didn't do the trick. It usually does.
"I don't blame her," I said. "Alarms rarely worked in my past life. You could set ten in a row and none of them would ring… or they would ring but you wouldn't hear it. Or you would hear it and decide dying was preferable."
Jane returned.
"I didn't see anything. But we still have to be careful."
"Okay," Kairo said.
GRRRRLL.
Rael's stomach.
Her cheeks turned red.
Jane sighed. "Let's just hope we don't encounter anything before we reach the river—"
GRRRLL.
She stopped.
Looked down.
GRRRLL.
Liora.
Still asleep.
I released a small chuckle.
Jane's eyes snapped toward me. "What was that?"
"Oh nothing. I was just wondering when the tough girl act was going to break. I expected at least until noon."
Branik snorted.
Kairo tried to hold it in.
Then both of them started laughing.
Jane folded her arms.
Her stomach growled again.
She pretended not to hear it.
The forest did.
—
Then the forest went quiet.
Not peaceful, quiet.
Suspicious quiet.
"Everyone ready," Kairo said.
"Right."
Liora is still asleep.
Kairo conjured his sword. I drew mine. Rael gripped her axe. Jane lowered into stance.
"I thought you said there was nothing in front."
"There wasn't."
Growls.
Shapes moved between the trees.
Direwolves.
Jane's eyes widened. "Oh no… these aren't normal wolves. They're Direwolves."
Kairo and I spoke at the same time. "What's the difference?"
Branik tightened his grip. "Their fur and claws are as durable as steel."
"They're much more brutal," Jane added. "And if one of them evolved—"
She looked at the largest one.
Still. Watching.
"—then we're in so much trouble."
"Of course," I muttered. "Of course the first major monster we encounter is a wolf. Not a slime. Not something cute. No. Straight to 'you may die today.' Fantastic."
I leaned toward Kairo.
"Make the pitch. Tell them we come in peace. We're just trying to reach the river."
"What do you mean? You're the one with the plan."
"You're the leader. Lead with example."
"Me being the leader doesn't mean I'm a sacrificial pawn."
"That's exactly what a leader is, you dumbass. Inspirational speech. Heroic walk. Possible death. Standard package."
"I refuse that package."
"I've done it before while facing a juvenile demon."
Kairo blinked. "What? And you came out alive?"
"It was surprisingly reasonable."
He stared at me.
"Hm… okay. I'll give it a try. Hold Liora."
"Sure."
He shifted her off his back. I took her.
She didn't wake up.
I was now holding an unconscious healer in a wolf standoff. My life decisions had escalated rapidly.
Kairo released his sword. It vanished.
He stepped forward.
"One more thing," I said.
He stopped.
"To increase the rate of your survival… show all the fear you have on your face."
Kairo turned slowly. "You sure that will work?"
"Nope."
Silence.
"Just go. We're right behind you."
Pause.
"In spirit."
Rael's eyes widened. "He is going to get himself killed."
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that," I said.
Branik nodded.
Jane nodded.
Kairo looked at all of us.
Then turned back toward the Direwolves.
Alone.
Very alone.