Chapter 34: The Whisper in the Woods
---
That night, the wind carried a strange scent. Earthy. Old. Familiar in a way Elric couldn't explain.
He twisted in bed, unable to sleep. The embers of the fireplace cast flickering shadows across his wooden ceiling, but they weren't what kept him awake. It was something else—a voice he couldn't hear, but could feel. Like an echo whispering behind his thoughts.
"Elric…"
He sat up straight, heart racing. No one had spoken. Yet he felt the word etched into the air like a breath against skin.
Bark stirred at his side, ears twitching. Wooly snored gently at the door, unbothered. The Frost Fang—whom Elric had taken to calling Glint—was curled in the darkest corner, eyes glowing faintly. Only Glint raised its head and stared at the window.
The whisper returned. Not words. Just a pull. A sensation drawing him south—toward the cliffs beyond the woods, past the edge of the village.
Elric dressed quietly, leaving a small note like always. Grandpa would grumble when he found it. But Elric had learned that answers rarely waited for permission.
---
The forest was quieter than usual, wrapped in a hushed kind of reverence. Moonlight barely touched the path. Bark and Glint padded beside him, while Wooly insisted on staying behind to protect the house.
They walked for nearly twenty minutes before the trees thinned, giving way to rocky outcrops and the whispering cliffs. The wind here didn't howl—it spoke. And tonight, it was speaking to him.
He reached the edge of the cliff, staring out at the endless forest canopy below. From here, the world looked peaceful. Almost innocent.
"Elric…"
He turned. No one.
Then he saw it—carved into the stone. A mark. Glowing faintly with golden-blue runes. A strange crest—half circle, half fang, like a crescent moon biting itself.
Glint growled softly and stepped back. Bark barked once, uncertain.
Elric reached out instinctively, brushing his fingers against the mark.
And everything changed.
---
The world blinked.
Suddenly, he was standing in a vast, empty hall made of stone and shadow. Massive arches loomed over him, and a swirling mist danced at the edges of the floor. In the center of the room floated a single orb—dark, cracked, but pulsing with a steady rhythm. Like a heartbeat.
"You touched the Seal of the Lost Pact," a voice said, echoing from everywhere and nowhere.
Elric turned.
A figure stepped out of the mist. Not a man. Not quite a god. A being wrapped in worn robes, with antlers made of crystal and eyes like molten silver.
"I am Varnax, once a god of kinship. Forgotten. Cast aside. You… you are one of the few who still listens."
Elric narrowed his eyes. "Why me?"
"Because you are not chosen to save the world," Varnax said. "You are chosen to lead those left behind by it."
Elric didn't respond, but something inside him stirred. Like an old hunger for purpose.
"Your class—Shepherd—it was once mine," Varnax continued. "It is not a tool of glory. It is the burden of gathering the broken. Protecting those no one else will."
Elric stepped closer to the orb. "So what do you want?"
"To give you what the world denies you. A deeper bond. A power outside the system's limits."
The orb pulsed. His bond with Bark, Wooly, and Glint flared in response.
"I can offer you a Soul Chain. A link beyond loyalty—a pact of protection, growth, and shared fate. But it will come with trials. And danger."
Elric stared at the orb, breathing heavily. His beasts appeared behind him, echoes in this strange space, eyes watching him.
He reached out.
"Do it," he said.
The orb shattered into light.
---
Elric gasped as he stumbled back into the real world. The cliff was quiet again. The mark had vanished.
But on the back of his left hand—a new mark glowed faintly. A branching sigil shaped like antlers.
Glint nuzzled his arm. Bark barked once. Even Wooly, from the village, seemed to sense something.
Their bond felt… deeper. Warmer. Like a thread had stitched them together tighter than ever before.
---
Meanwhile…
Far from the village, under a red moon, a shadowy figure knelt before a crystal mirror.
"He's found the pact," the figure hissed.
Another voice responded through the mirror—cold, calculated.
"Then it's time we test the boy. Send the Wraithborn Hounds. Let's see how strong a little Shepherd really is."
Chapter 35: The Wraithborn Hunt
---
The night air turned sour.
A chill swept through the village—not from wind or weather, but from something unnatural. The animals were the first to react. Birds took flight in silence. Chickens huddled and refused to leave their coops. Even the usually noisy goats pressed against each other with quiet unease.
Inside the house, Elric felt it in his bones.
Bark growled low, tail stiff, while Glint's fur bristled, eyes flashing with frost. Wooly stood with its horns lowered at the door, ready but trembling.
Elric stepped out onto the porch, shirt still half-buttoned. The moon hung bloated and blood-tinged in the sky.
He whispered, "You feel that too, right?"
Bark barked once—short and sharp.
Then it began.
---
A scream tore through the night.
Elric was already moving, sprinting toward the western fields where the scream had echoed. Bark and Glint flanked him. Behind them, villagers began emerging with torches and weapons.
But the light didn't help.
The fog had come—thick, cold, and unnatural. It clung to skin, deadened sound, and stole warmth. Elric's system pinged weakly, but even the interface flickered.
> [WARNING: Curse Fog Detected – Beast Detection and Skills Limited]
"Damn," Elric muttered. "This wasn't random."
He barely had time to duck before something lunged from the mist.
A beast—no, a thing—emerged. Lean like a hound, but with no eyes, no mouth. Just dark, writhing smoke bound by bone and claw. A Wraithborn Hound.
Bark tackled it mid-air, and the two crashed into the dirt. Elric saw another one forming from the mist, crawling toward a young boy frozen in place near the fence.
"Glint—Freeze Fang!"
A lance of ice shot through the air, spearing the creature in the neck before it could pounce. It hissed, then exploded into smoke.
Elric rushed to the boy, scooped him up, and handed him off to an older villager.
"Get everyone inside. Now. They're coming from the fog!"
---
Back near the village center, Wooly was holding the line with two other village dogs. But more of the Wraithborn kept coming, rising from the cursed mist like nightmares born from fear itself.
The Soul Chain in Elric's hand pulsed hot.
And suddenly… he could see more.
A faint outline shimmered where another hound crept. He threw his dagger—not with his eyes, but by the tug of the chain—and it struck true.
> [Bond Enhancement Activated: Shared Perception Lv.1]
"I can see through them," Elric whispered. "Through the bond…"
He clenched his hand.
"Everyone! Stay close to the beasts! If you trust them, they'll guide you through this!"
The villagers, already panicked, latched onto the order like a lifeline. Bark took the lead, guiding a group of children through the mist. Wooly headbutted a Wraithborn into the well and crushed it with a leap. Glint moved like a shadow of frost, slicing with claws and ice.
But there were too many.
And they weren't here to destroy.
They were here for him.
---
Elric stood in the center of the village square as the last wave came.
Five Wraithborn hounds, larger than the others. One bore three tails. Another had a mane of black fire. They circled him slowly.
A voice echoed from the mist—familiar, chilling.
"Little Shepherd… Let's see if you can protect your flock."
Elric smirked. "Let's see if you can handle a pissed-off pack leader."
He slammed his palm into the ground.
> [Summon: Soul Linked Avatar – Bark, Tier I Evolution: Moonfang Direwolf]
A swirl of light, a burst of howling wind—and Bark changed. His form elongated, muscle rippling, eyes glowing silver. His fur shimmered like moonlight, and the chain between him and Elric flared like a burning thread.
Glint roared beside them, fur spiked with shards of frost.
Wooly stomped, charging a glowing shockwave from its horns.
Elric stood tall, aura pulsing as if the very system was bending to his will.
"For my village," he said quietly. "For my friends. For my beasts."
"Come get me."
---
The battle lit the square like a festival of fire and frost. Villagers watched from windows, holding each other, praying to gods they barely remembered.
But the real gods?
They were watching him.
And smiling.
---
Chapter 36: Evolution's Price
---
The sun rose slowly over the village, its warm light pushing away the remnants of the cursed fog. Ashes of broken Wraithborn beasts dissolved in the air like dust caught in the morning breeze.
But peace rarely came without a price.
Elric sat by the river, sleeves rolled up, shirt soaked with sweat and blood that wasn't all his. Bark lay beside him, breathing steadily—changed. The Moonfang Direwolf form hadn't reverted completely. His body was leaner, sleeker. Taller than before. His silver fur shimmered with a faint glow that pulsed in sync with Elric's heartbeat.
"Still with me, buddy?" Elric asked, scratching behind Bark's ears.
The wolf growled softly in approval but didn't speak—not in words. The bond between them pulsed stronger than ever, and though no thoughts were exchanged, Elric felt him. His exhaustion, his loyalty, his wild hunger to grow stronger. It was no longer a one-way connection. It was mutual.
And terrifyingly alive.
---
> [Beast Evolution Complete – Moonfang Direwolf (Tier I)] [New Skill Unlocked: Lunar Pulse Howl] [Bond Skill: Spirit Echo Lv.1 – Shared Emotions and Senses] [Warning: Evolution Draws Attention from Higher Realms]
---
Elric grimaced as the message faded. "Great. That last one sounds like a huge red flag."
From behind, the sound of small footsteps echoed across the stones.
"Elric!"
He turned to see his youngest sister, Mayla, running barefoot across the grass. She threw herself into his arms with a sob.
"You're okay! They said monsters were coming and Glint went missing and—"
"I'm alright," he said gently, hugging her tightly. "We're all safe now."
She sniffled. "But Grandpa said you fought the big ones. With your animals. Is that true?"
Elric nodded, then paused. "Wait… Grandpa said that?"
---
Back at the village square, James—Elric's grandfather—was seated on a barrel, telling the story with his usual flair.
"And there he was, little Elric, standing in the middle of the square like some kind of ghost-king, and the monsters circled around him. Then bam!—silver wolf, blue dog, that fluffy sheep of his—turned into monsters themselves!"
Children gasped.
Old women clapped.
Someone passed James a warm roll and he took it like it was payment.
"He fought them off with nothing but courage, a wolf, and a pair of balls bigger than my loot bag."
"Grandpa!" Elric barked, stepping out from the trees.
James grinned. "Ah, there he is! Our village protector!"
"You made it sound like I summoned a divine army. It was barely a fight."
"Barely a fight? Son, you almost died. I know because I was watching with a spear in hand and a heart ready to explode."
Elric rolled his eyes, but there was warmth in his chest.
---
Later that day, the village healer checked Elric for spiritual backlash. Evolution through Soul Bonding wasn't exactly common. It was rare enough that even she, an old woman who had treated dozens of adventurers, had to pause.
"You've awakened something inside you," she murmured. "Something that doesn't just tame beasts… it calls them. Guides them."
"Elric's always had a way with animals," Mayla piped up.
The healer frowned. "It's more than that. You're… connected. Not just to Bark. But to all of them. They feel you like a moon pulling at the tides."
Elric stared at his hands.
He had felt it too.
---
That night, while everyone else celebrated survival, Elric sat on his rooftop, watching the stars.
A notification blinked faintly in the corner of his vision.
> [Passive Trait Revealed – Shepherd's Aura (Dormant)] [Description: You are a guide to beasts. A protector of the weak. A soul meant to lead those who listen. As bonds grow, so will you.]
His heart thudded once.
Slow.
Deliberate.
"Dormant, huh?" he whispered. "Then let's wake it up."
---
Chapter 37: A Visitor in the Fog
---
The village had settled into a strange calm since the night of the Wraithborn. The beasts hadn't returned, and the fog that once crawled from the forest's edge had finally faded. But calm in Elric's world was always a warning.
He sensed it before he saw it.
A disturbance at the village's eastern trail. Bark growled low from his place near the gate. Woola, the once docile sheep, flared with a soft glow, her wool humming with static energy—her way of saying something was coming.
Something not right.
Elric walked through the village alone, past houses where families slept unaware. His hand rested near the worn leather whip at his waist—a gift from his grandfather, old but trusted. The crescent moon hung high above, and the cold wind bit at his skin.
Then he saw her.
A girl stumbled into the torchlight at the gate—barefoot, bloody, and soaked in frost. Her hair was matted to her face, and her clothes were ragged and burnt. In her arms… she cradled something.
"Elric!" the gatekeeper, Tomas, called out. "She just collapsed—don't think she's from around here!"
He didn't respond. He was already moving.
---
When Elric knelt beside her, the first thing he noticed was the pendant around her neck. Silver, in the shape of a curled serpent biting its own tail. Ancient magic lingered on it—protective, binding, and half-shattered.
"She's been chased," Bark murmured in his mind.
Elric nodded, carefully lifting the girl. She clutched the object tighter in her arms as if sensing movement.
It wasn't until they reached the healer's hut that Elric realized what she was holding wasn't just a bundle of cloth.
It was an egg.
Oval. Jet black. Laced with glowing red cracks. Warm and heavy.
And breathing.
---
> [Unidentified Item Detected – Unhatched Beast Core] [Danger Level: ??? – Blood Contract Traces Detected] [Species: Unknown] [Race Signature: Demon-Beast Hybrid]
---
Elric swore under his breath.
A beast egg… of demonic origin? What was a mortal girl doing with something like this?
She groaned, shifting slightly. Her voice cracked like she hadn't spoken in days.
"…they're coming…"
Elric leaned closer. "Who's coming?"
She forced open her eyes—pale green, glowing faintly in the dim candlelight. "Hunters… from the Demon World. They want the egg. It's… not supposed to exist."
He tightened his grip on the egg. "What is it?"
Her voice was barely audible.
"A royal."
---
James barged in an hour later with two guards in tow, his face grim.
"Elric, word's spreading. Villagers saw fire last night near the east ridge. I checked the border—trees burned, marks on the ground. Someone used dimensional magic."
Elric handed him the silver pendant.
"Recognize this?"
James squinted, then cursed. "Voidborn hunters. Demons who slaughter beast tamers to claim royal cores."
He took a long breath and glanced at the girl. "And she brought that here. Which means this place is now a target."
"So, what do we do?"
James grinned.
"We prepare."
---
That day, the village square became a war room. Grandpa James marked maps. Elric scouted the woods. The girl, whose name turned out to be Lyra, was given a place to rest in the healer's barn. Her wounds were serious, but her spirit hadn't broken.
She refused to let go of the egg.
Woola stayed near her constantly, humming in defense. Even Bark had started pacing, restless.
That night, Elric sat on the barn roof with Lyra beside him, both watching the skies.
"I didn't choose to protect it," she said. "But… it called to me. Before the demons arrived, I had a vision. A Shepherd holding the egg. You looked… like him."
Elric raised an eyebrow. "That doesn't sound good."
She chuckled weakly. "No. It sounds like destiny. Which sucks."
They sat in silence for a while, the egg pulsing faintly with warmth between them.
"I don't care about destiny," Elric said. "But I'll protect it. Not because it's special… but because I don't like people like them forcing others to run and bleed."
Lyra looked at him. "You're not like other tamers."
"No," he replied, a crooked smile playing on his lips. "I'm greedier."
---
Chapter 37: A Visitor in the Fog
---
The village had settled into a strange calm since the night of the Wraithborn. The beasts hadn't returned, and the fog that once crawled from the forest's edge had finally faded. But calm in Elric's world was always a warning.
He sensed it before he saw it.
A disturbance at the village's eastern trail. Bark growled low from his place near the gate. Woola, the once docile sheep, flared with a soft glow, her wool humming with static energy—her way of saying something was coming.
Something not right.
Elric walked through the village alone, past houses where families slept unaware. His hand rested near the worn leather whip at his waist—a gift from his grandfather, old but trusted. The crescent moon hung high above, and the cold wind bit at his skin.
Then he saw her.
A girl stumbled into the torchlight at the gate—barefoot, bloody, and soaked in frost. Her hair was matted to her face, and her clothes were ragged and burnt. In her arms… she cradled something.
"Elric!" the gatekeeper, Tomas, called out. "She just collapsed—don't think she's from around here!"
He didn't respond. He was already moving.
---
When Elric knelt beside her, the first thing he noticed was the pendant around her neck. Silver, in the shape of a curled serpent biting its own tail. Ancient magic lingered on it—protective, binding, and half-shattered.
"She's been chased," Bark murmured in his mind.
Elric nodded, carefully lifting the girl. She clutched the object tighter in her arms as if sensing movement.
It wasn't until they reached the healer's hut that Elric realized what she was holding wasn't just a bundle of cloth.
It was an egg.
Oval. Jet black. Laced with glowing red cracks. Warm and heavy.
And breathing.
---
> [Unidentified Item Detected – Unhatched Beast Core] [Danger Level: ??? – Blood Contract Traces Detected] [Species: Unknown] [Race Signature: Demon-Beast Hybrid]
---
Elric swore under his breath.
A beast egg… of demonic origin? What was a mortal girl doing with something like this?
She groaned, shifting slightly. Her voice cracked like she hadn't spoken in days.
"…they're coming…"
Elric leaned closer. "Who's coming?"
She forced open her eyes—pale green, glowing faintly in the dim candlelight. "Hunters… from the Demon World. They want the egg. It's… not supposed to exist."
He tightened his grip on the egg. "What is it?"
Her voice was barely audible.
"A royal."
---
James barged in an hour later with two guards in tow, his face grim.
"Elric, word's spreading. Villagers saw fire last night near the east ridge. I checked the border—trees burned, marks on the ground. Someone used dimensional magic."
Elric handed him the silver pendant.
"Recognize this?"
James squinted, then cursed. "Voidborn hunters. Demons who slaughter beast tamers to claim royal cores."
He took a long breath and glanced at the girl. "And she brought that here. Which means this place is now a target."
"So, what do we do?"
James grinned.
"We prepare."
---
That day, the village square became a war room. Grandpa James marked maps. Elric scouted the woods. The girl, whose name turned out to be Lyra, was given a place to rest in the healer's barn. Her wounds were serious, but her spirit hadn't broken.
She refused to let go of the egg.
Woola stayed near her constantly, humming in defense. Even Bark had started pacing, restless.
That night, Elric sat on the barn roof with Lyra beside him, both watching the skies.
"I didn't choose to protect it," she said. "But… it called to me. Before the demons arrived, I had a vision. A Shepherd holding the egg. You looked… like him."
Elric raised an eyebrow. "That doesn't sound good."
She chuckled weakly. "No. It sounds like destiny. Which sucks."
They sat in silence for a while, the egg pulsing faintly with warmth between them.
"I don't care about destiny," Elric said. "But I'll protect it. Not because it's special… but because I don't like people like them forcing others to run and bleed."
Lyra looked at him. "You're not like other tamers."
"No," he replied, a crooked smile playing on his lips. "I'm greedier."
---
Here's Chapter 39 of your novel with the new friend-like System, God Shop, and emotional growth. This chapter continues to keep a balance between lighthearted vibes, growth, and setup for future events.
---
Chapter 39 – Coins, Collars, and Conversations
Elric sat on the edge of the rocky stream behind his house, tossing pebbles into the water as the sun filtered through the leaves. His shirt clung to his back with sweat, his legs sore from the day's training with Grandpa.
His sheep, Bramble, sat nearby like a lazy guardian. His dog, Flint, snored under a tree, one eye half open in case any trouble stirred.
> "You've got 3,750 System Coins just sitting there. You planning to save up for a space yacht or something?"
Elric blinked. The voice echoed softly in his mind — not cold, not robotic. More like an older brother poking fun.
"You again," Elric muttered with a crooked grin. "Didn't you say I was broke last week?"
> "Yeah. Then you made a wolf cry, solved a cave puzzle, and pulled off the weirdest sheep-and-dagger maneuver I've ever seen. So congrats, you're rich…ish."
He chuckled. "Alright, friend. What can I do with these precious coins?"
The world shimmered before him.
[God Shop – Limited Access: Beginner Tier]
Welcome, Shepherd of Threads. May the gods judge you kindly—or not at all.
---
Featured Items:
Blessed Collar (Rank D) – 1,200 Coins
Capture a weakened beast or intelligent race and bind them to your service. Works better with emotional bonds.
Minor Beast Egg (Random) – 900 Coins
An unhatched life. Luck decides what hatches. Nurture it well.
Summoner's Thread (Common) – 1,500 Coins
Upgrade one active beast into a loyal summoned familiar with partial independent thought.
Mystery Box – 750 Coins
No refunds. May contain treasure, tragedy, or a rabbit with bad attitude.
---
Elric scrolled through the shop like a child in a candy store.
> "Don't just stare. Buy something. Bramble looks like he's about to eat your coins."
"Elric!" A voice called from the house.
It was Lily, his little sister, holding a bundle of fresh herbs and a smudge of dirt across her cheek. "Come help Grandpa with the fences! He fell asleep halfway through nailing the post again!"
Elric sighed and glanced back at the shop.
"Buy one thing for now," he whispered.
His eyes flicked to the Summoner's Thread. Flint had been more than just a dog lately. The way he barked, blocked danger, and watched over the little ones… Maybe it was time to give him a proper place in Elric's future pack.
> [1,500 Coins deducted. "Summoner's Thread" acquired.]
A golden thread of energy blinked into his inventory.
> "Use it on a beast you trust. Or one that doesn't chew shoes. That helps."
---
As night fell, Elric lay under the stars beside Flint. He pulled out the thread, holding it between his fingers. The system's voice had gone quiet, giving him space.
"Want to join me properly?" he asked softly. "Not just as a pet… but as my partner?"
Flint raised his head, let out a low bark, and pressed his snout to Elric's chest.
The thread dissolved between them.
[Flint has become a Summoned Familiar.]
[Bond: Deep Loyalty | Shared Awareness Unlocked.]
Elric blinked. He could feel Flint's thoughts now—simple but fierce. Protection. Warmth. Pride.
He smiled. "Welcome to the pack, buddy."
And somewhere, far above, a small corner of the God Shop updated itself.
> [New Shop Tier: Unlocked Soon – Based on Summoned Familiar Progress]
---
Here's Chapter 40, continuing Elric's growth, his bond with Flint, and a little family drama.
---
Chapter 40 – New Bonds and Broken Fences
The morning sun bathed the village in soft, golden light. Birds chirped in the trees, and the air smelled fresh with the scent of wildflowers. The clink of hammer against wood echoed from the back of the house where Grandpa was struggling with the fence posts again.
Elric stretched, his muscles sore from yesterday's training, and looked over at Flint, who was curled up beside him, nose twitching at the sounds of the morning.
Flint had only just been bound as a summoned familiar the night before, but Elric could already feel a deeper connection to the large dog. His thoughts—simple but sharp—buzzed in Elric's mind like a subtle hum. He knew when Flint was alert or when he was content, and in return, Flint seemed to understand Elric's unspoken commands without a single word.
"Alright, partner," Elric muttered, ruffling Flint's ears. "Let's check on Grandpa. He probably needs help again."
With Flint by his side, Elric made his way toward the back of the house. Grandpa was working on the fence post, the same one that had given him trouble the day before. He was muttering to himself, his hands shaking slightly as he tried to nail the post in place.
"Elric! Don't stand there like a statue! Grab a hammer!" Grandpa barked, noticing him approach.
Elric grinned and took up the hammer, stepping toward the broken fence. "You know, Grandpa, you could let me take care of this. You're not as young as you used to be," he teased.
Grandpa shot him a glare, though there was a twinkle of amusement in his eyes. "I'll have you know, I'm still spryer than your father was at my age. Now get to work before I give you another lesson in proper fence-building!"
Flint wagged his tail and circled around the two, sniffing the dirt and rocks. His large frame moved with quiet grace as if he were a natural guardian, his eyes constantly scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger.
Elric swung the hammer, securing the post into the ground with a few heavy blows. Grandpa grunted in approval.
"You're getting stronger, kid," Grandpa muttered, wiping sweat from his brow. "You're also getting more annoying, though, I can tell you that much."
Elric chuckled, but just as he was about to reply, a low growl came from Flint. The dog's ears perked up, his body tensing.
Elric's smile faded, his hand instinctively resting on the hilt of a small knife he kept at his side. Grandpa's eyes narrowed, and he glanced around the property.
"I've been hearing strange sounds in the woods," Grandpa muttered, glancing towards the thick forest that bordered their land. "Things haven't been the same since the last attack. We need to be cautious."
The sound of branches snapping echoed in the distance. Then, a rustle from the treeline.
"Flint," Elric said softly, meeting his dog's gaze. "Stay alert."
Flint's growl deepened, and Elric felt a sense of unease settle over him. His bond with the dog was still new, but the connection was clear—Flint was sensing something dangerous, and it made Elric's skin crawl.
Grandpa glanced at Elric and motioned toward the small storage shed. "Get the spears. We might be dealing with something more than just wild animals today."
Elric nodded and ran for the shed, Flint trailing closely behind. He grabbed a pair of sturdy spears and returned to Grandpa, who had already moved toward the tree line, his old body shifting with surprising agility as he stepped into the shadows of the woods.
"Grandpa, wait!" Elric called, rushing forward. "You're not going alone. I'll go with you."
Grandpa shot him a look over his shoulder, his eyes steely. "You might be stronger than before, Elric, but that doesn't mean you're ready for a fight with real danger. Stay here. Protect the house and your sisters."
But Elric wasn't about to let his grandfather face danger alone—not after everything they'd been through together. "I'm not a little kid anymore," Elric said, his voice firm. "If there's something out there, we face it together."
Grandpa hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Fine. But keep up, kid."
Together, they ventured into the woods, Flint at their side, his nose to the ground, scanning for any sign of movement. The air was tense, the usual chirps of birds and rustle of leaves replaced by an eerie stillness.
As they moved deeper into the forest, the hairs on Elric's neck stood on end. Something wasn't right. The atmosphere felt thick, as if the forest itself was holding its breath.
Then, a shadow flickered in the distance—quick and fleeting. Elric's heart rate sped up.
Flint's growl intensified, and the dog darted forward, his body low to the ground.
"There!" Grandpa snapped, pointing ahead. "Move!"
Elric followed his grandfather's lead, charging through the underbrush, his spear ready. Flint led the way, sniffing the air, his eyes narrowed and focused on the shape that had moved.
And then, from behind a cluster of trees, a figure stepped out.
Elric's breath caught in his throat. It was a humanoid creature, tall and thin, with pale, greyish skin. Its eyes were like black voids, absorbing the light around them. It was dressed in ragged clothing, but the sharp, curved blades it carried glinted menacingly in the dim light.
"An invader," Grandpa hissed under his breath, his grip tightening on his spear.
The creature—an enemy from one of the other worlds—stared at them with cold, lifeless eyes, its lips curling into a twisted smile.
Flint bared his teeth and lunged forward with a snarl, but the creature was quick, twisting to the side with a fluid motion. It brought one of its blades down in an arc, aiming straight for Flint.
"NO!" Elric shouted, throwing himself forward.
He managed to intercept the strike, his spear clashing with the invader's blade. The force of the impact sent a shockwave through his arms, but he held firm, his muscles straining.
The creature growled in frustration, its empty eyes flickering toward Elric. "You think you can stop us? You think your pathetic little world will survive?"
"We're not going to let you destroy our home," Elric said through gritted teeth. "Not without a fight."
And with that, the battle began in earnest.
---