Asher stood in composed silence, his heartbeat measured, each breath drawn with a focused calmness. In a blink, Virelass materialized in his palm, its blade resonating with a quiet hum, an eager whisper, as though thirsting to taste real blood and cleave through living flesh for the first time.
His gaze remained steady as he listened, leaves trembled in warning, rustling with increasing urgency. Whatever was approaching was fast, and it was drawing near.
The instant they emerged from the forest's shroud and stepped onto the open path, Asher saw them.
'Wolves? How predictable. It's always wolves or goblins, first to appear, first to die.' The thought edged with irony
The first wolf lunged, its jaws wide open, fangs gleaming as it aimed to tear through Asher's neck in a single, savage bite. But Asher moved, effortlessly, precisely, his body shifting sideways at the final instant, matching the creature's speed with unnerving ease.
