Just stay safe. Don’t do anything rash.Lucie returned her focus to the wailing woods in front of them. It was as if the shrieks knew they were coming and were excited about it.
Alright Lucie, are you ready?Aedan took a step closer to his sister and stared into her eyes. Maybe this was part of their test?
Don’t get killed.Lucie watched as Aedan’s wolf panted happily at her.
What are you talking about? I’m faster than you,Aedan said, trying to provoke her competitive spirit. They needed to think of something else besides running from certain death.
Ah ah ah, I don’t think so, dear brother.Lucie wagged her tail slightly.I guess this will prove who is the fastest, agreed?
Agreed. You need a head start …
You’re the one who needs the head start.
Alright, Lucie. See you on the other side.
Lucie gazed ahead and shifted her feet beneath her while Derrick wrapped himself around her back. She glanced over to see Justice doing the same thing. The look in his eyes told her that he was anxious about this idea.
Let’s go!
The two wolves flew down the ravine and crashed into the thick forest. The dark woods were covered in a thick mist, but they knew their destination was straight through. They continued racing and barreling through the trees. The sound of shrieking was drawing closer from all directions, and a loud wail began following them.
The branches beat against her face as she plunged into the unknown forest, jumping over fallen trees and through bushes, Aedan running parallel to her nearby. Behind him, she could see three glowing energies following and wailing angrily. Faster. Faster. Faster. She needed to run faster.
Screams were closing in, and the loud, howling cries multiplied behind her. She couldn’t worry about what was behind her. She had to focus on what was in front of them. Only in front.
A glowing light appeared in front of Aedan, and in a flash, Abe kicked the energy to the side, allowing Aedan to race through. The two lycans glanced at the other, periodically checking on each other and their pursuers.
Lucie’s paws pounded against the ground. She was pushing her legs as hard as she could, but she couldn’t widen the distance between herself and the cries. They continued to close in on them. The screeching cries were almost deafening now as their numbers increased. Closer. Closer. Closer. The colors of the forest all blurred together as the thick clouds of mist covered her view.
They weren’t going to make it. She couldn’t even see the light to show the end of the forest yet. Could she fight against them? Was there a way to stop all of them? She knew they might have a chance against a few of them, but these numbers? She didn’t know how many there were, but she guessed there was about a hundred, maybe more. Why were there so many? Were these the demon souls that had gathered after the war, all becoming vengeful spirits because their lives were taken from them?
Closer. Closer. Closer. She could feel the cold they emanated getting closer to her. They were right on Aedan’s heels as well. Abe couldn’t stop this …
A heavy pulse shook the area. Lucie and Aedan continued to speed forward, yet the wails sounded farther away now. She didn’t dare risk looking back. She assumed Abe did something. She hoped he was alright.
The earth rosefrom the ground and the shrieks collided into the magical earth barrier. Abe hovered just above it, looking down on their savior.
“Could you shut up already? All this noise is ruining my mood.” Ken turned and eyed the shrieks. They glowered near him. One of the shrieks charged toward him, wailing. Ken gazed at the annoying menace and it evaporated.
“Who the fuck do you think you are?” Ken chuckled lowly. “You will all pay for interrupting my walk.” A thunderous crack echoed through the woods, and instantly the vengeful spirits all combusted.
“What the HELL do you think you’re doing?” Lycaon growled, appearing in front of Ken.
“I was trying to enjoy a peaceful walk. These menacing spirits and their loud cries were making it impossible for me to enjoy myself. Problem solved,” Ken said, a smirk playing on his lips.
“Who do you think you’re fooling? You were aiding MY lycans,” Lycaon growled angrily. He was a towering man with fire red hair. His muscles bulged in anger as he clenched his fists.
Ken looked around at the empty forest. “I don’t see any lycans.”
Lycaon growled at Ken angrily and took a step toward him. Ken turned his head sharply and fixed a dark gaze on the deity.
“Careful, Ly. I’d be very careful.” Ken watched as the deity froze in his place with a scowl on his lips.
“I don’t know what your game is, but stay out of this. This is my trial for MY lycans. I invoke the code on you. You would bemindful to follow it. I’d hate it if you ended up trapped again … maybe underground this time.” Lycaon scoffed in irritation.
“You think you can rise up against me again? Try it, friend. Go ahead. The truth is you fools know you need me. And it just so happens we have a common enemy.”
“Erebus,” Lycaon said quietly, and Ken nodded. This was true. He wasn’t a fan of the Kraken, but when it came to being a god killer, Ken was a force to be reckoned with. After all, he’d done it before. “Fine. I guess this means we’re on the same side this time. Just don’t interfere in this again.”
