The leaves are tossed in a specific direction by the howling wind. Like a tremor preparing to trigger an earthquake, the approaching footsteps of the warriors dispatched to find Alpha Damian’s body or the intruder race across the border.
The presence was quickly infiltrated with eerie silence, followed by the warriors’ frustrated sighs. They had been searching for the past thirty minutes, with no results.
“I am tired, but we can not return to the pack without a result.” Warrior 2 mumbled, resting his back on a massive mangrove tree before sliding down to sit on the ground, moaning tiredly.
“Well, everyone of us is extremely tired, but I have a strong feeling that the results will be revealed soon, which is an unsettling feeling.” Warrior 3 agreed, taking slow steps to sit with Warrior 2.
” We have looked everywhere and still no results; how sure are we that his corpse has not already been removed from the pack, or that he is been buried somewhere? This stress is not for me,” Warrior 2 whined, startling the other warriors who stared at him.
Before he could blink, his face was hit with a blow that ejected a handful of saliva from his mouth. His hands flew to his cheeks, covering it while he gnashed his teeth together, his lips trembling. He turned his head to meet Warrior 1’s furious gaze.
“You should learn how to speak, respect the Alpha even if he is late, and even if we have to stay on this border for three days without food or water, it is worth the sacrifice.” Warrior 1 yelled, clenching his fist and heaving his chest up and down more steadily than usual.
” Woah!!! You both should chill. You should have corrected him without violence, and you should also watch what you say.” Warrior 3 stated, slipping in between the two warriors who were glaring daggers at one another.
” I.. ” His statement was cut short by footsteps echoing through the forest, crunching dry leaves littering the entire path.
The three warriors looked at each other, confusion lingering in each blink, and then ran backwards to hide in a regimented area together.
One of them approached, his shoulder sagging from the weight of the limp body he was carrying, which bounced with each stride.
The warriors’ pupils dilated with perplexity, fury coursing through their veins. The limp body on the shoulder was their Alpha, Alpha Damian, whom they had been searching for.
Warrior 1 erupted in rage, ready to burst out of the hiding place, but the other two dragged him backwards, causing the ground to crumble, ruining the dry leaves, crushing them into pieces, and drawing the attention of the intruders.
The intruders’ steps came to a halt as they heard the crushing sounds, their fluttering gazes fuelled by fear and adrenaline.
“I am dying from this unimaginable weight on my shoulder, and the restricted woods is so close by, let us move.” The blonde carrying Alpha Damian’s limp body called out, directing their attention back to their specific goals.
“I agree; let us move quickly.” Another said, followed by faster footsteps as they trailed behind each other, aware of their surroundings.
Warrior 1’s eyes darted after them as they walked away. He counted them with his eyes and realized they were seven. His patience ran out, and his instincts kicked in, urging him to follow them. He sprang up, but the other warriors grabbed his arm.
“Calm down, we do not know where they are going or what they are up to.” “We have to follow them quietly, without their knowledge,” Warrior 3 stated.
“Exactly, we do not know what their intentions are, which is why I have to rush after them,” Warrior 1 said firmly.
“You should not only consider your urge to rush after them, but also the consequences of any rash decision.” Warrior 2 mumbled, cautioning him.
With a deep sigh, he nodded in agreement, and they all stood up together, carefully following the group to avoid being seen.
After twelve minutes of walking, the warriors became alert, prompting them to take a cautious break to assess their location.
” Damn!! ” Warrior 1 muttered as his head snapped around.
“We are almost at the end of the border. Are they going into the restricted woods?” He muttered.
The group abruptly halted, causing the warriors to shift back in tension.
When they realized they were being followed, two of them turned back, their eyes searching for the stalkers.
The air became oppressively silent, and they could not find anyone.
“Let us just end it here.” The person carrying the limp body mumbled before tossing it over a cliff.
The warriors dashed out of their hiding place, shock and dismay on their faces. They raced to the cliff’s edge, only to be met with vanity: There was no sign of Alpha Damian’s body, and the scene was gruesome: thick bushes, a jumble of rocks, and skulls taking up all available space.
The landing space appeared to have swallowed Alpha Damian’s body, erasing any trace.
They were filled with rage and fury, fueled by their grief. With a collective slow groan that eventually turned into a roar, the warriors charged the seven guys who were gradually backing away but remaining calm.
“How dare you? You have destroyed his only remaining honor.” Warrior 1 yelled, pulling his sword from its sheath and pointing it at the tallest of them; one step forward would result in a sharp sword being shoved into his throat.
“Who in the hell sent you?” He continued, his tone steady but threatening.
The tallest one gave a sneaky grin, “What if I do not want to talk? ” He inquired, mockingly.
Without warning, Warrior 1 pushed the sword into his neck.
“I am dying from this unbearable weight on my shoulder, and the restricted woods are so close by; let us move.”
He felt his blood smearing down from his neck to his chest until it began with a tiny drop on the ground. Warrior 1 pulled out his sword and backed away, breathing heavily.
“Thud!” His body fell to the ground, igniting the suspenseful fury and fear.
The warriors then clashed with the remaining six guys, with each warrior facing two opponents.
“Who sent you?” Warrior 1 said, grabbing one of the guys and doing a little swirl, allowing him to trap the guy with his sword, which he gently placed around his neck.
With a deep but ragged breath, the guy burst into heavy laughter, his hand clutching the sword’s blade, unconcerned about the piercing sharpness of the edge, he pushed himself tightly into warrior 1 and winked at his accomplice, who stood in front of them stunned.
He took the lead and rushed towards warrior 1, who kicked him off with his foot. In the blink of an eye, he pressed the sword closer to himself, causing more damage to the guy’s palm, prompting him to release the sword. Warrior 1 slid the sword across his neck, slicing it.