CHAPTER 1104: FEW HOURS BEFORE

The first Direwolf burst from the fog with a snarl and slashing its claws through the air.

Coren stepped forward, and then dodge the claw. His sword then flashing as he swung upward.

The blade met with the claw but the beast’s thick hide absorbed much of the blow. However, the impact still threw it off balance and its massive body crashed into the mud, kicking up water and dirt.

Before Coren could finish it another Direwolf lunged from the left. Its fangs gleamed under the lightning as it clamped down on his shoulder guard, fortunately he still managed to wriggle free and jumped back several steps.

Coren grunted and turned his body and drove his sword into the creature’s neck with stronger force than before. Blood mixed with rain and the Direwolf let out a guttural whimper before collapsing.

"Behind you!" Lira shouted through the storm.

Coren ducked instinctively. An arrow whistled past him and struck the eye of a third Direwolf that had leapt toward him from behind.

The arrow hit deep and the creature tumbled midair before crashing into the mud, dead before it hit the ground.

Lira drew again. Her fingers moving fast despite the rain.

The bowstring twanged, sending another arrow into the second Direwolf’s bode.

The arrow didn’t pierce deep enough, but it slowed the beast just long enough for Coren to rip his sword free and finish it with a sharp thrust under its face.

Elrin’s staff pulsed blue as she stepped forward and began chanting quickly. A surge of wind and light exploded from her staff, throwing back another wolf that appeared from the mist that tried to flank Ryn.

The force knocked several of them off their feet, buying precious seconds.

"Ryn, keep your eyes open, damnit!" she shouted.

But Ryn was not answering. He was already charging, his blade raised high and he swung it down at the nearest Direwolf that was still off balance, cutting deep into its shoulder.

The beast howled, then twisting and biting back. Its jaws clamped down on his arm, teeth sinking through the leather armor.

Ryn screamed and tried to pull away, but the wolf’s strength dragged him down into the mud.

"Ryn!" Lira yelled.

She released two more arrows in rapid succession. One hit the Direwolf’s neck and the other buried itself in its ribs.

It yelped but loosening its bite, and Coren rushed in. He drove his sword straight through the beast’s skull and yanked Ryn free.

Blood soaked Ryn’s sleeve. He gritted his teeth, clutching the wound. "Damn it... I’m fine... just a bite."

"You’re not fine," Elrin snapped, her tone trembling with both fear and anger. She thrust her staff toward the approaching shadows and released a bolt of crackling lightning.

It struck the ground before the wolves, splitting the mud and sending them scattering back in fear. The flash illuminated their numbers and it wasn’t good. More shapes were closing in through the fog, growling low and circling.

Coren’s heart pounded.

"They’re trying to surround us," he said. His breath misted in the cold air as he stepped closer to the others. "We must hold this position until someone inside opens the gate."

Lira shifted her stance, arrows already nocked. "They’re too many. We can’t hold this for long."

"We hold as best as we can," Coren said, but he knew she was right.

The Direwolves’ glowing eyes glided through the fog like dozens of tiny lanterns. Their growls rumbled like thunder as they tightened the circle.

The four of them stood back-to-back, the rain streaming down their armor and cloaks. The mud was slick beneath their boots.

Ryn’s breath came fast, his wound bleeding freely. Elrin’s fingers shook as she gripped her staff, her lips moving through the incantations again.

The Direwolves advanced while snarling and snapping. The first wave came from the right. Three at once.

Coren cut the first down with his sword cleaving through its throat. Lira’s arrow found another’s heart accurately, but the third one slammed into Ryn before he could react and knocked him down again. He barely raised his sword in time to block the claws that raked at his face.

"Get off him!" Coren roared and kicked the beast aside. He swung his sword, slicing its neck open. It stumbled back, wounded but not dead.

Elrin raised her staff high then shouting a spell. A surge of wind and lightning burst outward in all directions.

The explosion lit the day, scattering the Direwolves and tearing through the fog. The air smelled of burning fur as several beasts yelped and fled into the dark.

For a brief moment, there was only rain and their ragged breathing.

Coren turned to Ryn, who was kneeling in the mud and pale from blood loss.

"You’re lucky to still be breathing," he muttered, gripping Ryn’s shoulder. "We can’t keep this up. We need shelter now. We can’t wait forever for the gate to open because the wolves will be back soon."

Elrin looked around the road, her eyes wide and glimmering with panic and exhaustion. "I remember that there’s an old watchtower near the ridge... I saw it on the map earlier. If we can reach it—"

"Then that’s where we go," Coren said, helping Ryn to his feet. He glanced at the fog again. The growls hadn’t stopped, they were just distant and waiting.

They stumbled forward into the rain again.

Just as they started moving, a heavy creak cut through the storm. The sound of grinding metal and shifting wood made them stop and turn.

The town gate was opening and then figures rushed out through the gap, carrying lanterns that flickered weakly in the wind.

"Over here!" one of them shouted. The voice barely carried through the rain. "Get inside, quick!"

Coren’s heart leapt in relief.

"Move!" he barked, half-dragging Ryn forward. Lira and Elrin followed close behind, splashing through the mud toward the light.

A few of the townsfolk ran to meet them, grabbing Ryn under the arms and helping him toward the open gate.

"You’re bleeding bad," one man said, his voice strained but kind.

"Just get us inside first," Coren said, glancing over his shoulder. The fog behind them shifted again and faint growls echoed through it.

As soon as they crossed the threshold, the townsfolk pushed the heavy gate shut with a thunderous slam.

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