Chapter 164: Journey to the Desert Wolf

It was night when Victor and Alfonso returned, their boots clattering on the forest floor as they approached Alpha Leus. He was awake, lost in thoughts as he stared at the dying ashes of the fire. Daisy say beside him, sleeping, her head resting on his chest. Victor looked ill as he spoke. "Alpha, I found something." Ryuus's eyes turned to them with a sharp, hopeful look. "something else." Alfonso wiped the sweat from his forehead. "A pack of desert wolves. They travel the wastelands beyond South Ridge. I think they would be willing to take us." Ryu's eyes closed. "Is that possible?" Victor nodded. "They don't trust strangers easily. But we've heard their supervisors talk about Ariadne's growing power. If we can convince them that she's a problem for all of us, they might listen to us." Lleus' breathing slowed. Desert wolves were known for their strength and ability to survive where others would die. Gaining trust is not easy. 'How far is it?" he asked. 'It's a three-day journey." Alfonso replied. 'We're crossing dangerous territory." Daisy shifted beside him, rubbing her eyes. 'Three days? That's a long time." Ryu stood up. "So let's go now." Victor and Alfonso exchanged glances before bowing. Daisy, now quite awake, crawled upstairs. "I'll go again." She said defiantly. Reus thought for a moment, then nodded. "Stay by my side." Without wasting time, they gathered their supplies, extinguished their fires, and headed into the dark forest toward the unknown world to the south. --- Day 1: The Shadow Forest The journey began well. They moved quickly through the trees, avoiding roads where Ariadne's army might be hiding. But as morning dawned, a strange mist settled on the ground. "This is not normal." Victor muttered, gripping his sword. "There is something more." The mist thickened, wrapping itself like fingers. Then the first monster appeared from the shadows. There were no eyes, just open sockets that gave off darkness. The body is crooked, it looks ugly, the arms are too long and the mouth is full of jagged, jagged teeth. With a loud roar, it quickly advanced. Lleus is faster. He dodged the beast's attacks, piercing his neck with its claws, black blood spurting into the mist. But many more came out. Five, ten, twenty people. "Daisy, come back!" he called. Victor and Alfonso fought beside him, their weapons gleaming in the mist. The creatures were fast, their movements erratic, but they were not invincible. They fall alone. Daisy couldn't stand still, so she picked up the fallen sword and stabbed the beast that was trying to get behind Alfonso. The monster screamed before falling. Alfonso turned and smiled. "No harm done, son." After a tiring battle, the last creature fell and disappeared into the mist. Lleus wiped the black blood from his face and turned to Viktor. "Let's continue." --- Second Day: Rock Cliffs On the second day, they reached the South Ridge, a vast expanse of rock and sand. When the Sun shines, the water is scarce. Daisy sighs wiping the sweat from her forehead. "I think the monster will do better in this heat." Alfonso smiled. "Be careful what you wish for." He claims and climbs, navigating a dangerous path where one mistake could send him falling into the Ravine. When he reached the narrow railing, lleus suddenly stopped. "Something is watching us." Some froze. Victor scanned the cliff with his hand on his sword. And they heard. A deep groan echoed through the rocks. And great cherubs appeared above, their scales gleaming in the sun. "Wolves," Viktor cursed. Living things will fly with their claws. lleus managed to dodge one of them by trying to grab it. Alfonso swung his axe over the wings, grabbed the wolf, and reached for the rocks below. Daisy is hanging breathlessly from the cliff. "I don't think I can fight a flying monster!" lleus grabbed him and pushed him behind the rock. "Go down." With coordinated attacks, the animals were defeated. Victor pierced one skull with his sword, and lleus leapt to the other, flipping it in the air before landing beautifully on the railing. The remaining women screamed and ran. Alfonso looked at Ruiz, worried. "You make everything easy." Lleus smiled. "Let's move." --- Day 3: Desert and Patrol And on the third day they reached the desert. The desert spread out before them like an endless sea of sand: the heat spread like waves. Daisy wrapped her body in the cloak. "I hate this place." Victor scanned the horizon. "We're close. The desert wolf camp is beyond those mountains." But before they could leave, soldiers emerged from the arena, their weapons gleaming in the sun. "Ariadne soldiers." Alfonso shouted. There were six of them in all, all armed. A man with a scar on his face, the leader, stepped forward. "They're here, here." Lleus met his gaze without fear. "You?" The leader smiled. "Then you will die." The soldiers attack without warning. Lleus moved quickly, diving beneath the surface, his claws digging into the soldier's stomach. Viktor blocked both at once, his sword dancing in the air. Alfonso swung his axe, slamming another axe into the sand. Daisy, small but fast, moves quickly, throwing sand into her enemies' eyes and nailing their legs. The leader tried to retreat when he saw his men fall, but lleus was faster. In the blink of an eye, he was back, claws gripping his neck. "Where's Ariadne?" Lleus asked. The soldier sighed. " In her mansion ." , Ileus said, narrowing his eyes and pushed him away and said to Viktor. " How close are we to the desert wolf?" "Pretty close ." He answered. Lleus grabbed the man's hand and stopped the killing. The body fell to the sand, spilling blood. Alfonso washed his face. Victor drew his sword. "There's no time to waste." Lleus looked to the horizon. The desert wolf camp was hidden beyond the sand. He could hear it. A storm was approaching. He turned to his colleagues and said, "I can smell the desert wolves. I think, they will be friendly.And we will take this war to Ariadne's door." Daisy laughed despite her weariness. "Let's go." They pressed forward ,ready to face whatever came their way.