The air was thick with tension as Floyd and his father, Lord BohLin, made their way through the dense woods surrounding Glimmerwood. The forest was unusually silent, an unnatural quiet hanging in the air, as if even the trees knew that something dangerous lurked nearby. Floyd's small, nimble feet moved carefully over the underbrush, his senses alert. His father walked ahead, his tall, broad figure cutting through the gloom with ease. He was a man of few words, but his posture was that of someone who had seen countless battles and lived through them. His presence alone was enough to make Floyd feel both protected and small in comparison.
"You sense it, don't you?" BohLin's voice was low, barely above a whisper.
Floyd nodded, his hand instinctively reaching for the wooden sword strapped to his side. It was still light, its weight not yet familiar, but it made him feel a little more secure. The magic that flowed through him had been restless all day, pulsing in a strange rhythm he couldn't quite understand, yet it was unmistakably linked to the danger that lay ahead.
"I can feel something," Floyd said, his voice steady despite the unease in his chest. "It's... not normal."
Lord BohLin shot him a glance over his shoulder. "Good. Trust your instincts. They'll be your greatest weapon in situations like this."
The deeper they ventured into the forest, the more Floyd could feel the unsettling presence that surrounded them. The trees grew thicker, their twisted branches reaching toward the sky like gnarled hands. The usual chirping of birds was gone, replaced by a distant rustling sound, like something large moving through the underbrush.
Floyd's senses were stretched to their limit. His eyes darted back and forth, scanning the area, while his magical awareness flared, probing for the unseen force. It was like trying to catch smoke with his bare hands, an elusive, shifting presence that he couldn't quite pinpoint.
Then, a low growl shattered the silence.
Floyd's heart skipped a beat as the sound echoed through the trees, a deep, menacing growl that seemed to vibrate in his chest. It was followed by a rustling sound that grew louder, closer, until something massive burst through the foliage in front of them.
The creature that emerged was a nightmare made flesh. Its body was covered in sleek black fur that shimmered in the low light, rippling with muscle beneath. Its eyes glowed a fiery red, a primal intelligence gleaming in them. The beast's massive jaws snapped shut with a thunderous sound, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth that could easily tear through flesh. It had the body of a wolf, but larger, more monstrous, with taloned paws that dug into the earth like claws through butter.
Floyd froze for a moment, his breath caught in his throat. It was a Night Howler, a magical beast known for its speed, strength, and deadly abilities. No one in Glimmerwood dared venture into the woods after dark, for creatures like this roamed freely, hunting anything that moved. A single Night Howler could wipe out a small group of unprepared travelers, and yet, here it was—alone, hungry, and ready to strike.
But Floyd wasn't just any traveler. And neither was his father.
Lord BohLin moved first, unsheathing his own blade in a fluid motion. "Stay back, Floyd," he said, his voice calm but commanding. "This is my fight."
The beast snarled and lunged, its teeth bared and claws extended. It moved with the speed of a shadow, a blur in the dim light as it aimed straight for BohLin. But the older man was faster. He sidestepped with the grace of a dancer, his sword flashing in the air as he brought it down with a powerful strike. The Night Howler howled in pain as the blade scraped across its side, but it was only a glancing blow. The creature whipped around with terrifying speed, its eyes locked onto Lord BohLin, now fully enraged.
"Floyd!" his father shouted, turning just in time to see the beast about to strike again. "Get ready!"
Without thinking, Floyd tapped into his instincts, drawing on the magic that simmered inside him. His hand shot out, palm open, and for the first time, he felt the raw surge of power course through him. A wave of force erupted from his hand, slamming into the beast with a shockwave of energy that sent it reeling back.
The Night Howler stumbled, growling in confusion, its glowing eyes narrowing at Floyd. It was disoriented but not defeated. The creature let out a shrill screech, a sound that sent shivers down Floyd's spine, before it pounced again, this time aimed directly at him.
Floyd's heart raced as the beast closed in, but he was ready. His mind was focused, his hands steady. He drew upon the magic again, and this time, it came more naturally, like a river flowing freely. A barrier of shimmering light appeared in front of him just as the Night Howler lunged. The beast collided with the barrier, its claws scraping against the invisible wall with a deafening screech. It was stopped in its tracks, but it wasn't over yet. The Night Howler recoiled, its eyes filled with fury.
"Floyd!" BohLin called again, his voice edged with urgency. "Get to safety!"
But Floyd didn't retreat. Instead, he stepped forward, his eyes locked onto the creature. He had learned enough from his father's teachings to know that retreating would only embolden the beast. No, this time, he would face it head-on.
With a deep breath, Floyd raised his hand and focused. The magic flowed through him like a current of electricity, quickening his heartbeat and sharpening his senses. The world around him seemed to slow as he concentrated. He could feel the energy of the forest, the pulse of the land beneath his feet, the rhythm of his own magic.
In an instant, he unleashed his power again—but this time, it was different. The air crackled with raw energy as he summoned a wave of pure force that surged toward the Night Howler with unrelenting speed.
The beast howled in terror, its eyes wide as it tried to dodge. But it was too slow. The wave of magic collided with the creature, sending it flying backward, its body slamming into a tree with a sickening crack.
For a moment, there was only silence.
Floyd stood there, panting, his heart still racing. He could feel the sweat trickling down his brow, the adrenaline pumping through his veins. The Night Howler lay on the ground, motionless.
Lord BohLin approached, his sword still drawn but lowered. He didn't say anything at first, merely studying Floyd with an unreadable expression. Then, after what felt like an eternity, he spoke.
"Good. You did well, son."
Floyd blinked, the weight of his father's approval settling into his chest like a warm blanket. He had done it. He had defended himself, protected both himself and his father. For the first time since his rebirth, he felt truly powerful.
But as he looked down at the defeated beast, a thought crossed his mind—a realization that sent a shiver down his spine.
This was only the beginning.
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