•Northwest Thunoa Forest•
Ray's POV
"Take cover behind the trees!" I roared, my voice cutting through the forest air. Without hesitation, I delivered a powerful kick to the horse wagon, sending the frightened animal bolting away from danger just as the hunters' fingers twitched toward their detonators.
I dove behind the thick oak trunk, pressing my back against the rough bark. The explosion tore through the forest with deafening force - a thunderous boom that sent shockwaves through the ground. Heat blasted outward, scorching the air as a fireball erupted skyward. Splintered wood and metal shards rained down, embedding themselves in nearby trees with sickening thunks. The acrid stench of burnt gunpowder and charred flesh filled my nostrils.
When the ringing in my ears subsided, I whipped my head toward my team. "Is anyone hurt?" My voice came out hoarse from the smoke.
