The first night of heightened patrol was tense The air felt heavy as if the forest itself held its breath waiting for something to happen Evan stationed himself near the treatment hut where the injured sky glider hawk rested The moon cast pale light across the basin while the warden spirit paced silently along the perimeter its body glowing faint green

Dalen and several scouts took the northern and eastern ridges leaving Evan on the southern edge where the fresh tracks from earlier had been found Hours passed quietly until a faint rustling along the dark pine trees made Evan pause He stepped forward listening carefully The sound was too rhythmic for wildlife Too steady

He crouched low and signaled to the nearest scout to stay alert Then he moved between the shadows stepping lightly as he had done countless times while monitoring wildlife in dense forests The scent of pine mixed with smoke reached his nose Someone had recently lit a small fire to mask their presence

He crept closer and spotted three figures moving in slow formation Their cloaks were dark gray blending with the trees Their boots matched the prints seen earlier One carried a long iron rod shaped like a spear but with glowing runes along its shaft Another carried a chain net shimmering with faint silver light designed to restrain magical creatures The third moved with a hunter’s precision scanning the ground with a crystal lens held in hand

Evan felt his muscles tense Night Takers

He watched them crouch near a cluster of tracks the soft hoofprints of a young crystal horn doe He recognized the pattern I released her two days ago after she recovered from her broken leg He said under his breath

The lead poacher spoke quietly Their healing sanctuary is working faster than expected Good for us He traced the doe’s prints with a dirty glove They will wander farther from the center predictable patterns easy to snag

Evan’s jaw hardened These men were not just hunters They were predators hunting weakened animals the ones Evan worked hardest to save

The second poacher raised his chain net Once we catch it we move north to the ridge The buyer wants live magical beasts not corpses

Evan stepped from the shadows calmly but with unshaking resolve Stop

All three poachers snapped their attention toward him Their hands moved instinctively to weapons One raised the iron spear another tightened his grip on the chain net

The lead hunter sneered Who are you Ranger You do not wear any kingdom badge

Evan took a slow breath I am the keeper of these lands The animals you hunt are recovering They are under protection

The poacher laughed A man alone in the woods thinks he can protect them all Move aside We have work to do

Evan stepped forward not backing down You cannot take them They are injured healing They are not yours to harm

The second poacher swung the chain net toward him Evan dodged swiftly letting the net crash against a tree The poacher cursed Evan grabbed a fallen branch using it like a staff blocking the second swing The wood shook under the impact but held

The lead hunter thrust the iron spear its runes glowing bright Evan sidestepped barely avoiding the strike The spear cut through a tree trunk as if slicing through air Magic surged from the impact sending leaves scattering

Evan realized he could not match them in combat brute force meant death He had to think like the animals he protected He circled the clearing positioning himself so their attacks struck trees not him He used terrain as cover moving lightly and unpredictably confusing the hunters

One poacher shouted Hold still You cannot hide forever

Evan replied I am not hiding I am protecting

As the poachers advanced a loud deep roar exploded through the night The trees trembled Leaves fell like rain

A massive shadow burst from the forest edge The thunder bear Evan had healed charged with glowing cracks along its fur Lightning pulsed from its paws

All three poachers froze in terror

Evan raised his hand toward the bear Calm It is alright friend I am safe

The bear stepped beside Evan towering over him Its massive head lowered eyes fixed on the hunters Evan whispered These men tried to take the doe They wanted to break the sanctuary

The bear growled thunderous and fierce The ground shook under its weight

The lead poacher stumbled back voice trembling We did not know the creatures obeyed you

Evan’s eyes hardened They do not obey me They trust me Something you will never earn

The bear roared lightning flashing from its breath The poachers dropped their weapons fleeing into the dark woods disappearing between the shadows

Dalen and the scouts arrived seconds later Spears raised What happened Are you hurt

Evan shook his head breathing heavily They were Night Takers We scared them off for now But they will return

Dalen approached the thunder bear bowing slightly Thank you guardian of the storm

The bear huffed softly then nudged Evan’s shoulder before returning to the forest

Evan watched it disappear with mixed awe and gratitude Even the most feared creatures had hearts capable of loyalty when treated with respect

Dalen placed a firm hand on Evan’s arm The sanctuary is no longer just a refuge It is a symbol Poachers will not stop until they break it

Evan stared into the dark pines his voice calm but filled with steel Then we make it stronger We train the village We strengthen patrols We teach people how to protect these lands And we find every Night Taker hunting here

Dalen nodded We stand with you

The moon hung low casting silver light across the sanctuary The night was far from peaceful but Evan felt no fear Only purpose

The Arcane Beast Conservation Station had a defender
And the kingdom would soon learn what that meant