Chapter 5 The First Strike

Author's POV

"We have to fight!" Alistair yelled, stepping in front of Selene.

Selene shook her head. "No, we need to escape!"

Isaac stumbled back, looking around. "There's no way out. We're surrounded!"

The growls grew louder, echoing through the trees.

Alistair's fists clenched. "I'm not running again. We stand and fight."

"Are you insane?" Isaac cried. "We can't fight that!"

Selene glanced at Alistair, worry in her eyes. "He's right, Alistair. This is something different."

Alistair shook his head. "I don't care what it is. I'm not backing down."

The shadows shifted, and dark figures stepped out from the trees. Their eyes glowed, and their teeth gleamed in the moonlight.

"What... are they?" Isaac whispered, fear clear in his voice.

"They're not wolves," Selene said quietly. "They're something worse."

Alistair's heart raced. "Doesn't matter. They bleed, right?"

Selene sighed. "Alistair, you don't understand. They can't be killed easily."

Isaac's voice trembled. "We should have run."

Alistair glanced at him, anger flaring. "You can run if you want. I'm fighting."

Isaac looked torn, fear holding him in place. "You'll get us killed."

Before Alistair could respond, one of the creatures lunged forward, claws outstretched.

"Move!" Selene shouted, pushing Alistair aside.

The creature barely missed them, its claws tearing into the ground.

Alistair jumped to his feet, eyes burning with rage. "I've had enough!"

He charged at the creature, swinging with all his strength. His fist connected, sending the beast crashing into a tree.

Selene gasped. "Alistair, don't-!"

Another creature leapt toward him, but this time Isaac tackled it, knocking it away from Alistair.

"I'm not letting you die yet!" Isaac shouted.

Alistair nodded, his eyes locked on the next attacker. "Thanks. Now let's finish this."

They fought side by side, taking down one creature after another. But no matter how many they hit, more kept coming.

"There's too many!" Isaac yelled, panting.

Selene backed away, her eyes scanning the scene. "Alistair, we have to go! They won't stop!"

Alistair gritted his teeth, swinging again. "I'm not leaving until they're all dead!"

Selene's voice was desperate now. "We can't win this fight!"

Alistair barely dodged another attack. His body ached, and he was running out of strength. But he couldn't stop. Not now.

Isaac stumbled back, holding his arm. "We need a plan!"

Selene stepped forward, grabbing Alistair's arm. "Listen to me! You have to stop!"

Alistair pulled away. "Why? So we can run and hide again?"

Selene's eyes filled with worry. "If we stay, we die. I know how to stop them, but not like this."

Alistair stared at her, breathing hard. "What do you mean?"

"There's something bigger going on here," Selene said. "Grayson... he's behind this. He's using them."

Isaac's eyes widened. "Grayson? How?"

Selene glanced around nervously. "I don't know, but we can't fight them all. We need to find out what he's planning."

Alistair's fists tightened. "Grayson is behind this?"

"Yes," Selene whispered. "But we don't have time now. We need to leave."

Alistair looked at the creatures still circling them. His body ached, but his rage was stronger. "Fine," he muttered. "Well go. But this isn't over."

Isaac exhaled in relief. "Finally."

They turned and ran through the forest, the creatures snarling behind them.

"Where are we going?" Isaac asked, breathing hard.

"There's a place," Selene said, leading the way. "We'll be safe there."

"Safe?" Alistair repeated, doubt in his voice. "Nowhere is safe anymore."

Selene glanced back at him. "Just trust me."

Alistair didn't respond, but he kept running.

The forest grew thicker, and soon they reached a small cave hidden behind a waterfall. Selene motioned for them to go inside.

"This is it?" Isaac asked, looking around. "A cave?"

"It's safe," Selene insisted. "They won't follow us here."

Alistair stepped inside, his muscles tense. "Why not?"

Selene looked away. "They can't sense us in here."

Isaac frowned. "What do you mean?"

Selene hesitated. "There's magic here. Ancient magic."

"Magic?" Alistair scoffed. "You expect me to believe that?"

Selene met his eyes. "Believe what you want. But we're alive, aren't we?"

Isaac sat down, leaning against the cave wall. "I don't care what it is. I'm just glad we're not dead."

Alistair remained standing, his eyes on Selene. "You still haven't told me everything."

Selene sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I'm trying to protect you."

"From what?" Alistair snapped. "From Grayson? From those things out there?"

Selene didn't answer, her eyes filled with sorrow.

Alistair stepped closer. "Tell me what's going on, Selene."

She looked up at him, her voice barely a whisper. "Grayson isn't just after the pack. He's working with an ancient enemy. Something far worse than we've ever faced."

Isaac looked confused. "What do you mean?"

Selene hesitated. "The Wraith King."

Alistair's heart stopped. "The Wraith King? That's just a myth."

Selene shook her head. "It's real, Alistair. And Grayson has made a deal with him."

Isaac's face turned pale. "This can't be happening."

Alistair's fists tightened. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I didn't know how to," Selene said softly. "I didn't want to believe it myself."

Alistair stared at her, his mind racing. "What does he want?"

"The Wraith King wants control," Selene replied. "He's using Grayson to get it. And he won't stop until we're all dead."

Isaac rubbed his temples. "This is insane."

Alistair's voice was low and dangerous. "How do we stop him?"

Selene looked at him with sadness in her eyes. "There's a way. But it's not easy."

Alistair stepped forward, his eyes locked on hers. "Tell me."

Selene hesitated again. "There's an ancient ritual. It can banish the Wraith King forever. But..."

"But what?" Alistair asked, his patience wearing thin.

"The ritual requires a sacrifice," Selene said quietly.

Alistair frowned. "What kind of sacrifice?"

Selene's voice trembled. "A life."

Isaac jumped to his feet. "You're not serious!"

Alistair didn't flinch. "Whose life?"

Selene didn't answer, but the look in her eyes said everything.

"No," Alistair said, shaking his head. "There has to be another way."

"There isn't," Selene whispered. "It's the only way to stop him."

Isaac paced the cave, panic clear on his face. "We're not doing this. We'll find another way."

Alistair's heart pounded. He couldn't lose Selene again. "We'll figure something else out."

Selene looked at him sadly. "There's no time. The Wraith King is coming. He's getting stronger every day."

Alistair clenched his fists, rage bubbling inside him. "Then we fight him."

"You can't fight him," Selene said softly. "He's too powerful."

"I'll die before I let you sacrifice yourself," Alistair growled.

Selene stepped closer, placing a hand on his chest. "I don't want to do this, Alistair. But if I don't... everyone dies."

Alistair's throat tightened. "We'll find another way," he repeated, his voice strained.

Before Selene could respond, a chilling voice echoed through the cave.

"You're out of time, Alistair."

They all froze, fear gripping their hearts.

The voice came again, dark and menacing. "I am coming for you."

Alistair's blood ran cold. He knew that voice. The Wraith King was here.

Selene's eyes filled with terror. "He's found us."

Isaac backed against the wall, panic in his eyes. "We're not ready for this!"

Alistair stepped in front of Selene, his heart pounding. "We fight."

The cave shook, dust falling from the ceiling.

"He's here," Selene whispered, her voice trembling.

Alistair's fists clenched. "I'm not afraid."

Suddenly, the air grew colder, and the shadows around them began to move.

Then, from the darkness, a figure emerged.