"Master, get behind me," First's voice was resolute as he stepped forward, positioning himself protectively in front of Aries. His shield was a formidable barrier, and he banged it loudly, issuing a challenge to the encircling dark wolves. "COME AT ME!" His roar echoed through the night, a taunt aimed at provoking their ferocious adversaries. The dark wolves hesitated, momentarily caught off guard by the young warrior's bold stance.
In the midst of the tension, a sudden streak of light pierced the darkness as a fire stone bullet hurtled through the air. The impact triggered a powerful explosion, sending shockwaves through the pack of dark wolves, knocking them back and setting some ablaze. Second's swift and accurate shot had delivered a crushing blow to their foes, buying the group precious moments.
Before the wolves could fully recover, Second was already lining up her next shot. Another fire stone bullet met its target, igniting a second explosion that further disrupted the pack's formation. The wolves at the back were caught off guard, their howls of pain filling the air as flames consumed them.
However, the onslaught was far from over. More dark wolves emerged from the shadows, undeterred by the explosions. They lunged toward the group with unrelenting ferocity, teeth bared and eyes gleaming with malice.
First wielded his stone spear with precision, striking down the oncoming wolves with calculated thrusts and powerful swings. His shield, an upgraded version designed by Aries, served both as protection and a deadly weapon, its sharp bottom edge proving lethal in close combat. Despite his skill and determination, a few wolves managed to breach his defense, leaving bloody marks on his arms and legs.
On the other side, Second moved with remarkable agility, her chaser knives glinting in the torchlight as she deftly dispatched the attackers. Aries watched in awe as she fought alongside First, her movements a dance of lethal grace. She shielded Aries from harm, each slice of her blades eliminating threats with ruthless efficiency.
The battle raged on, a chaotic symphony of clashes, roars, and the crackling of flames. Aries felt a surge of pride and gratitude for his companions as they fought bravely against overwhelming odds. It was a testament to their resilience and determination, a true display of their extraordinary potential.
Seeing First and Second's dire conditions and the danger they were in, anger surged within Aries. A fire ignited in his eyes, dispelling any perception that he was a helpless child in need of protection. His past experiences from a different life had shaped him into someone who understood the weight of risks and consequences. The very notion of gambling, of leaving things to chance, had driven him to make a drastic decision in his previous life. While others saw peril in venturing deeper into the forest, Aries had an unshakable belief that he could navigate these challenges and emerge victorious. It wasn't a reckless gamble; it was a calculated assessment, rooted in his past knowledge and his newfound abilities.
The tension in the air was palpable as Aries faced the bigger dark wolf, his eyes locked onto the creature's every move. The wolf's slow, deliberate circling only added to the feeling of unease. It was as if the wolf was testing their resolve, challenging them to make a move.
"Stay back, Second," Aries whispered urgently, his eyes never leaving the wolf. He could see the determination in Second's eyes, but he also knew that she had to obey if they had any chance of surviving this encounter.
Second hesitated for a moment, her instincts urging her to protect Aries at all costs. But his gaze was unyielding, and she knew that he had a plan. With a reluctant nod, she took a step back, positioning herself a short distance away.
The bigger dark wolf's snort was a mixture of arrogance and mockery, as if it found their attempts to resist amusing. It continued to circle, its eyes locked onto Aries, watching his every move.
Aries slowly extended his arm as if he was reaching for something in his backpack. The tension in the air was palpable as the bigger dark wolf continued its slow advance. Its eyes were fixed on Aries, ready to strike at any moment. Aries's heart raced, his fingers wrapping around the object he had concealed within a leaf.
In a split second, the bigger wolf lunged, a blur of dark fur and bared teeth hurtling towards Aries. But before it could reach him, Aries swung his arm downward with all his might, smashing the concealed object onto the ground. The impact sent a cloud of white powder billowing into the air, scattering in all directions.
The bigger wolf was undeterred, its momentum carrying it forward. But as soon as it sniffed the powder-laden air, its movements faltered. A look of confusion crossed its eyes, followed by an intense itching that seemed to spread over its body. With a sudden snarl, the wolf began to paw at its fur, attempting to alleviate the irritation.
The white powder was doing its work, causing discomfort and disorientation among the smaller dark wolves as well. They whimpered and whined, collapsing to the ground as if they had suddenly lost the strength to stand.
Seeing the effect of the white powder on the pack, Aries knew he needed to act quickly. While the bigger dark wolf was still distracted by its itching, Aries reached into his backpack and pulled out a small pouch. He loaded the pouch into a makeshift slingshot he had crafted earlier—a Y-shaped piece of sturdy wood with rubber vines attached to create tension.
With a practiced motion, Aries pulled back on the slingshot and aimed at the bigger wolf's face. The wolf's movements were becoming sluggish, its eyes heavy from the effects of the white powder. Aries released the pouch, and it flew through the air, releasing a burst of yellow powder in its wake.
The pouch struck the bigger wolf's face, and the burst of yellow powder enveloped its senses. The wolf's eyelids drooped, its massive body swaying as if it was struggling to stay awake. Aries knew that the yellow powder was a potent sedative, one that he had carefully prepared for this very situation.
As the white powder began to dissipate, Aries emerged from the cloud with the slingshot still in hand. He stood there, panting, his heart pounding as he watched the bigger wolf's struggle to stay upright. A tense silence settled over the forest as Aries surveyed the scene. The pack of smaller dark wolves lay motionless, incapacitated by the white powder.
Furiously mad, the wolf let out a growl, "GRRRRR!" The yellow powder that had scattered onto its face seemed to be taking effect. The once imposing creature now struggled to maintain its strength. Its front legs began to tremble, and its jaw dropped to the ground, its hind legs soon following suit. The wolf appeared to be paralyzed, its fierce demeanor reduced to a pitiful state.
Aries, driven by a mix of anger and triumph, approached the immobilized wolf. He carefully stored the slingshot back into his backpack and sat down near the creature, a triumphant smile on his face.
"I don't care how big you are. To me, you're just another prey." Aries spoke to the paralyzed wolf as if trying to assert his dominance over the once fearsome creature. He treated the wolf's imposing presence as merely another obstacle to overcome. With a sense of purpose, Aries reached into his backpack once more, retrieving his crossbow. The metallic clink of the weapon being readied filled the tense air.
"Now, let's play a little game, shall we?" Aries's words were accompanied by a playful tone, a stark contrast to the gravity of the situation. With a confident grin on his face, he took a few steps back, creating a safe distance between himself and the incapacitated creature. The crossbow felt steady in his grip, and his eyes were locked onto his target.
Aries's stance and demeanor held a mix of determination and excitement, as if he were a child eagerly engaging in a thrilling game.
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