Nova crouched beneath the canopy, feeling the change in the aether as the monsters entered the perimeter.
Their presence wasn't subtle—the air distorted around them, thick with bloodlust and unbalanced aggression. Still, Nova made no move.
He waited, silent and watchful, until he saw movement in the brush behind him. A footstep, a shifted breath.
Then—swift, precise—he struck.
His blade sliced through the throat of the first stalker, and blood sprayed across the leaves. The man barely had time to choke before crumpling to the ground.
Nova stood over the body, bloody dagger in hand, as the other two turned in horror.
"Where's Kiril—"
One began, but his words died as his gaze landed on Nova, whose eyes glinted with cold amusement.
The second stalker reached for his weapon, but Nova lunged forward and drove the dagger into his gut, twisting hard before yanking it free.
