The Heart Of Chaos

Clang!

The sharp sound of clashing metal echoed through the dense forest, accompanied by the roars of myths and humans battling fiercely. Amidst the chaos, Group Eight crouched behind a massive tree, carefully scanning their surroundings for any sign of their prey.

The air grew eerily still, broken only by the chilling whispers of the wind through the trees. Abaddon glanced at his teammates with a firm and resolute expression.

"Let's go over the plan one more time,"

He said in a low, steady voice.

They nodded in agreement. Orlan, crouching at the back, couldn't help but smile inwardly, impressed by how quickly the young Abaddon was growing into a capable leader.

Breaking the silence, Orin stepped forward, recounting the strategy Abaddon had devised.

"So... you said the Fire Tempest Wolf will destroy us if we attack it head-on. The plan is to exploit its weakness since fire's natural enemy is water, right?"

He paused, locking eyes with Abaddon for confirmation. The young leader nodded, prompting Orin to continue .

"The strategy is to lure it to the ravine and make it go down the waterfall, but because it's an Alpha, it's smart enough to figure out what we're trying to do. That's why we'll blind it and make it so furious it won't have time to reason."

"Exactly."

Abaddon said, giving him a nod of approval before turning to the group to assign tasks.

"Old man."

He said, addressing Orlan.

"You're the tallest and quickest among us despite being old. You'll act as bait."

He gestured toward a large boulder near the cave's entrance and continued.

"Hide behind that boulder silently. Your scent alone should be enough to attract it, but just in case, find a way to lure it out."

Orlan gripped his iron spear tightly, nodding without hesitation.

Turning to the stocky Fattso, who held a large shield, Abaddon said.

"You're with me. You'll be the shield, so stay close."

Fatty gave a nervous, almost comical smile before hesitantly asking.

"If it gets bad, we'll run for it, right?"

Abaddon sighed, slapping his forehead before shaking his head. Ignoring Fatty's remark, he turned to Jane, who held a crossbow.

"Jane, you're the best with range, so your best position is up there."

He said, pointing to a massive oak tree beside the cave.

"Climb up to get a clear view of the area. Your job is to blind the fire wolf. Once Orlan lures it to the waterfall, Orin and I will handle the rest. The terrain is our only advantage here. If we don't use it, we'll end up as nothing more than its next meal."

Jane nervously nodded, still doubting if this plan of theirs would really work.

With the plan set, the team split up, each moving to their assigned positions in grim silence.

Orlan was the first to move. In silence, he quickly positioned himself behind the large boulder at the cave's entrance, while Jane climbed up a tall oak tree to get a clear view of the area. From her vantage point, she signaled as Abaddon, holding a dagger, hid behind one of the colossal trees along the path to the waterfall with Orin.

With all preparations in place, Abaddon gave the signal.

"Now!"

Orlan nodded and crouched to pick up a small rock. With precision, he hurled it into the cave. The sound echoed through the darkness, followed by a deep, menacing growl.

Within seconds, a massive myth emerged from the cave with it's ember-like eyes glowing fiercely. The Fire Tempest Wolf had a mix of red and yellow fur that seemed alive with flames burning along its back. Each step left a scorched trail on the ground as smoke curled from its nostrils.

Sniffing the air, the Fire Tempest Wolf quickly locked its gaze on the boulder, sensing someone behind it. It let out a thunderous howl that reverberated across the forest, instilling fear in the hearts of nearby hunters.

"That's the howl of an Alpha Vermin, Class-I myth... the Fire Tempest Wolf."

One of Sedric's men muttered nervously. Their group had just successfully hunted a Bone Claw Alligator without casualties, but the sound of the wolf's howl sent chills through them.

"Which group is stupid enough to go after the Fire Tempest Wolf? Do they have a death wish?"

Another slave asked in trembling voice.

A deep, commanding voice interrupted the two as they turned back at the speaker. He was a tall, bulky man with long brown hair and tattoos covering his muscular arms. He sat triumphantly atop the carcass of the Bone Claw Alligator with a smug grin on his face.

"Whoever is chasing that myth won't survive."

He said with a devious smirk.

"They'll be heading straight to Xerathar. The underworld is waiting for them."

Meanwhile, back at the scene, Group Eight braced themselves as the Fire Tempest Wolf prepared to attack. It glared at the boulder with burning intensity, ready to pounce.

Abaddon, analyzing the situation, realized that if the myth moved too close, Orlan might not be able to outrun it due to its immense size—nearly one-third the height of the colossal trees.

Acting decisively, Abaddon gave the signal.

"Now old man!."

Orlan, adjusting his glasses, leaped out from behind the boulder and sprinted with all his might. The wolf, finally spotting its prey, lunged forward with ferocious speed, leaving trails of fire in its wake as it gave chase.

Orlan quickly set his path toward where Abaddon and Orin were positioned, sprinting with all his might. Meanwhile, the ground trembled as the Tempest Wolf, in a blur, leapt into the air and unleashed a scorching fire beam from its mouth, which hurtled toward Orlan.

Feeling the approaching heat, Orlan pushed himself with all his might and successfully crossed paths with Orin and Abaddon. Hesitating only briefly, Abaddon gave Orin the command to intercept the incoming fire beam.

Though visibly shaken, the fat boy stepped out from behind the tree and, with all his strength, braced for impact. The heat was so intense that the shield began to melt after several seconds of enduring the fire, and Fatty sustained bruises—but he had saved his life.

The Fire Tempest Wolf, now aware that its attack was blocked, turned its focus to Fatty and instantly charged toward him. But Fatty, being Fatty, stood his ground with his hands in a praying posture, murmuring prayers to the goddess of wisdom and fate for their salvation.

Indeed, a miracle occurred. As the Tempest Wolf closed in, a spear suddenly lunged at its blind side, striking its body and causing a small wound.

It was Orlan, looking more focused than ever. His murderous eyes glared at the Wolf as he recalled his youth. Once a knight of Lady Elyssia's noble house, his main weapon was a spear. Despite never awakening as a ranker, his mastery of the spear was unmatched.

Back in the present, the Wolf growled and roared, exuding an intense, spiraling fire into the air. The commotion caught the attention of many slaves around, who grew curious about who dared to pursue such a myth. Even Sedric and his men began to take interest.

As the Fire Tempest Wolf writhed in agony, Abaddon quickly pushed Fatty into the opposite woods and shouted for Jane to take action.

"Now, Jane, take your shot!"

From the trees, Jane fired a bolt with precision. The arrow flew through the air and struck the Wolf's shoulder, where its scales were thinner. The Wolf howled in agony, thrashing its fiery tail in an effort to dislodge the spear and arrow stuck in its body.

In a fit of rage, the Fire Tempest Wolf released a fiery surge in all directions, but the group was prepared. Fatty, still holding his shield, charged forward to cover Orlan, who was exposed to the attack. Abaddon, expecting such an attack, had pushed Orin to the opposite side of the woods earlier, ensuring Orlan's safety.

At its limit, the Tempest Wolf turned its furious, fiery gaze toward Fatty. Orin yelled with determination, "Now, boss!"

Without wasting a moment, Abaddon drew his dagger and, using his small stature, rushed behind the distracted Tempest Wolf. With all the strength he could muster since birth, he gripped the dagger with both hands and ducked beneath the Wolf, slashing at its hind legs.

The Wolf howled in pain as its movements became erratic. Stumbling from the injury, it gave Fatty and Orlan an opening to retreat. Abaddon rolled to the opposite side and crouched behind a tree, reflecting silently.

"This myth is one hell of a challenge. Even after all our efforts, it's still strong enough to incinerate us."

He signaled Jane to take advantage of the Wolf's weakened state.

"Jane, blind it now!"

On command, Jane fired another arrow, striking the Wolf in the eye. Enraged, the Fire Tempest Wolf went berserk. Flames engulfed its body, revealing charred black skin beneath the fire.

Sensing the sudden transformation, the group knew they couldn't hesitate. Abaddon yelled.

"To the ravine! Get to the edge!"

The ravine was their last hope and potentially the Wolf's downfall. Despite their exhaustion, none wanted to die. Orlan, Fatty, and Abaddon sprinted toward the ravine, catching the Wolf's attention. Furious, it chased after them.

The trio headed for the ravine while Jane, still perched in the tree, prayed for their survival. Amid the chaos, Abaddon yelled.

"Old man, take the left route! I'll take the front, and Fatty, surprise this damn myth with a push when the time comes. Dinner's on me!"

With those words, Orlan diverted to the left, and Fatty lunged to the right. Abaddon remained the Wolf's main target, though it hesitated momentarily, unsure whom to pursue.

Seizing the opportunity, Abaddon quickened his pace. The cliff of the waterfall came into view, and Abaddon bolted toward it. But as he neared, a horrifying realization struck him.

"With the speed I'm going, I won't be able to stop in time. The ground's too slippery."

He decided to take a leap of faith.

"If I die, so be it!"

A few paces from the cliff, ready to jump despite not knowing the fall's height, a hand suddenly appeared from behind a tree. It was Orlan, who shouted.

"Young master, take my hand!"

Smiling, Abaddon grabbed Orlan's hand and was successfully pulled to safety. The Wolf, realizing too late that it was heading toward the cliff, dug its claws into the ground. Slowly but surely, it came to a stop, just at the edge.

As Orlan and Abaddon caught their breath, a voice called out behind them. Abaddon turned and shouted.

"Fatty!"

Fatty, with his shield raised high, slid like a penguin toward the Wolf. The Wolf tried to move out of the way but was too late. Fatty collided with it, delivering the final push it needed to tumble over the edge.

"Go to hell!"

Fatty screamed, using all his strength to shove the Wolf. With a final howl, the Fire Tempest Wolf lost its footing and fell into the ravine. Its fiery body disappeared into the water below with an echoing roar, steam rising as the flames extinguished.

Jane rushed over to check on the group. They stared at the waterfall, watching the smoke rise. Jane exclaimed in disbelief.

"We did it!...By the gods, we actually did it!"

Orin nodded, heavily panting.

"We did it…"

The group descended into the ravine to retrieve the Fire Tempest Wolf's body. Upon reaching it, Orlan used the iron spear to extract its soul-ore—a massive red crystal radiating faint energy.

As they struggled to pull the myth's body from the water, Jane remarked.

"This thing is huge. It'll be a nightmare to carry back, even with all of us."

Fatty nodded as Abaddon scanned the area for a solution. Their search was interrupted by a voice behind that startled them.

"Indeed."

They turned to see Sedric and his men approaching, grinning maliciously.

"This myth is quite the giant. Why don't you let the big boys take it from here?"