The wind blew fiercely across the valley. Rial pressed on, wiping the sweat from his brow. Since his parents' death, the days seemed heavier, each step harder. Yet he knew he had to keep going, that he had to survive… and become stronger.
As he trudged along the rocky path, a clear voice called out behind him:
"Do you plan on walking alone much longer?"
Rial turned sharply. His eyes fell on a girl his own age, her dark hair cascading down, half-tied back with a red ribbon. Her deep green eyes shone with a strange determination. Beside her stood an imposing figure: a gigantic silver wolf, its blue eyes gleaming like two shards of ice.
"Who are you?" Rial asked defensively.
"Kara," she replied without hesitation. "And this is Fenrir."
The wolf let out a low growl, its fangs glinting in the light. Rial clenched his fists, ready to react to the slightest sign of hostility.
"You should relax. If I'd wanted to attack you, you'd already be lying on the ground," Kara said with a small, mocking smile.
Rial frowned.
"You didn't answer. Why are you following me?"
"Because I saw what you did yesterday… That demon you slew." She approached slowly, her eyes shining with curiosity. "Your aura is… different. You're hiding something."
Rial looked away, tense. He didn't like anyone noticing the shadow of Zuma, the demon within him.
Before he could reply, a roar shook the air. From the hilltop, a creature emerged: a scaly abomination with four massive arms and fangs dripping with saliva. Its red eyes blazed with pure hatred.
"A Jerk..." Kara hissed, stepping back slightly.
The beast let out a shrill cry and charged down the slope toward them.
Rial took a step back, his heart pounding.
"Stay behind me," he said firmly.
But Kara burst out laughing.
"Me? Behind? Watch and learn."
She raised her hand and uttered an incantation:
"O Fenrir, unleash your frost claw!"
The silver wolf leaped forward, its paws tracing an icy arc in the air. A gigantic ice claw slammed down on the creature, knocking it back several meters.
Rial's eyes widened.
"It's... incredible..."
But the Mufle roared again, rising despite his injuries. His four arms slammed violently against the ground, sending shockwaves through him. Kara was thrown backward, nearly falling, but Fenrir stepped in front of her to absorb the impact.
Rial felt Zuma stir within him. His body tensed, the familiar pain searing him like a burning blade. A guttural voice echoed in his mind:
"Let me out... Destroy him... Consume him..."
Rial placed a hand on his chest, gasping for breath.
"No... not yet..."
But Kara noticed, intrigued by his restlessness.
"What are you waiting for?! If you can fight, do it!" she cried, wiping the blood from her lip.
The Muzzle charged again, its claws slamming straight down on Kara. Fenrir tried to block, but the creature's brute strength was overwhelming. Kara stumbled, unable to counter the onslaught.
Rial felt his blood boil. His eyes flashed red for a moment. He leaped forward and intercepted the strike. His bare hands clashed against the monstrous claws, and a blast of dark energy erupted from his body, knocking the Muzzle back several meters.
Kara stared at him, shocked.
"What the... was that?!"
Rial, panting, slowly raised his head. His eyes burned with a demonic light, and a translucent shadow of Zuma loomed behind him.
"I'll... finish it off."
He sprang forward, his fist charged with dark energy, and struck the creature with full force. The impact shook the ground, and the Muzzle collapsed with a piercing cry, its body dissolving into black dust.
A heavy silence fell. Only the wind stirred in the valley. Rial, his hands trembling, gasped for breath.
Kara approached slowly, her gaze fixed on him.
"You... you're not just any mage," she murmured.
Rial looked away, clenching his fists.
"What you saw... must not be spread."
But Kara smiled gently.
"You think it frightens me? On the contrary. If you wield such power, then I want to walk by your side."
Fenrir rumbled in approval, his eyes fixed on Rial as if accepting him.
Rial remained silent for a few seconds, surprised by her words. Then, a faint smile appeared despite himself. — "Kara, eh? So… let's travel together."
And for the first time in a long time, Rial felt that his path might not be as lonely as he had thought.