(Longer, slower, funnier, more world-building, Webnovel style)
The Emerald Forest hadn't felt this tense in decades. Even the wind moved differently—slower, cautious, as if it didn't want to disturb whatever fate was sneaking through the trees.
Aru tried to breathe steadily, but his heart was drumming so loudly that even a stone might have heard it.
Zara stood at the front of the group, her silver fur glowing faintly with magic. Master Eldros towered behind her like a walking mountain of wisdom. Bolo, Tiko, Rella, and Squirlo formed a messy but loyal formation around Aru.
They weren't perfect.They weren't polished.They weren't even fully sane.
But they were his team.
A Rumbling in the Forest
The ground trembled.
Leaves quivered.
Birds fled the treetops like they all remembered they had urgent appointments elsewhere.
Squirlo pointed. "THERE! Something's coming!"
Tiko jumped behind Aru. "Protect me, my tall-legged bodyguard!"
"I AM NOT—"Aru stopped mid-sentence.
Because the creature that stepped into the clearing was enormous.
A wolf, but not like any wolf he'd seen.
A Spineback Wolf—its silver spines rattled like metal swords, its eyes glowing icy blue. It looked like a living weapon forged from wilderness and rage.
It stepped forward, snarling.
But something wasn't right.
Zara narrowed her eyes. "It's… injured."
Bolo grunted. "And chained."
Indeed—iron cuffs dug into the wolf's legs, glowing faint red. Runes etched along the cuffs pulsed faintly like heartbeat patterns.
Aru whispered, "Those are hunter shackles…"
"Yes," Eldros rumbled. "Runes from outside the forest. Dark ones."
The wolf growled—but not at Aru.
At the trees behind it.
Because moments later…
Hunters Appear
Three hunters stepped from the shadows. Tall, heavily armored, smelling faintly of smoke and bad hygiene. Their weapons gleamed.
The leader, a muscular man with a scar across his face, glared at the animals with cold satisfaction.
"Found you," he said.
Another hunter twirled a net launcher. "That's the antelope. The boss will pay double if we bring it in intact."
Aru squeaked. "Double!? I'm not even worth coupon value!"
Tiko whispered, "Dude, you're limited edition."
Rella facepalmed. "Now's not the time!"
Zara stepped forward, tail swaying low. "Leave our forest. You are not welcome here."
The leader smirked. "Cute threat."
Eldros stomped the ground.BOOM.
"Leave," he repeated, voice like thunder.
The hunters hesitated—but only for a moment.
The scarred leader raised his hand.
"Release the wolf."
Aru's heart dropped."Wait—WHAT!? NO—KEEP THE WOLF!"
The hunters struck a rune on the shackle.
The wolf roared, eyes blazing with blue flame-like light.
Squirlo screamed, "WHY DO THEY ALWAYS RELEASE THE SCARY THINGS!?"
The Wolf Charges
The Spineback Wolf lunged forward.
Spines flared—Paws thundering—Teeth bared—
Aru froze.He couldn't move.Couldn't think.
Until—
Zara jumped in front of him.
Aru: "ZARA—!"
She flicked her paw and a silver barrier shimmered, absorbing the impact of the wolf's strike. But the barrier cracked instantly. The wolf was strong.
"His mind is clouded," Zara gritted out. "Controlled by the shackles… He isn't attacking by choice!"
Eldros stomped forward, trunk raised. "I will handle him—"
But the wolf was fast—fast enough to dodge even Eldros's enormous strength.
The forest shook with their clash.
Aru's Legs Begin to Glow
A strange warmth pulsed in Aru's legs.
A soft glow—faint, golden—flowed under his skin.
Aru gasped. "Wh-What's happening!?"
Zara looked back at him briefly. "Your magic… It's awakening!"
Tiko's jaw dropped. "BRO. YOU'RE EVOLVING!"
"Not helping!" Rella hissed.
Eldros bellowed, "Aru! Move! Use that speed!"
Aru didn't fully understand the magic…didn't know how to control it…
But his instincts screamed at him:
Run. Help. Protect.
He dashed forward so fast that even sound struggled to catch up.
WOOSH—He raced around the wolf, dizzying it.
WOOSH—He dodged the hunters' nets.
WOOSH—He kicked dirt into the eyes of another.
Tiko shouted, "YESSS! OUR BOY IS BUILT DIFFERENT!"
The Wolf Speaks
Aru slid to a halt near the wolf.
Their eyes met for a brief moment.
The wolf's voice whispered—not aloud, but inside Aru's mind:
"Free… me…"
Aru's breath hitched.
"You… can talk?"
"The shackles… break them… before I lose myself completely…"
Aru swallowed.Fear warred with courage inside him.
But courage won.
He turned to his team.
"We have to break the rune cuffs! He's not our enemy!"
Zara nodded instantly. "Agreed."
Squirlo raised his paw. "I'm voting NO on dangerous wolf-fighting missions."
Bolo pushed him aside. "We're doing this."
Operation Wolf Rescue
Together, they moved:
Zara created distraction illusions
Bolo pinned the wolf long enough to stop it from hurting itself
Tiko climbed Aru's antlers and used them like binoculars (WHY)
Rella worked on the rune symbols
Eldros kept the hunters busy with earth-shaking stomps
Aru braced his legs.
Magic pulsed again.
He lowered his head…
A golden glow wrapped around him…
Then—
CRACK!!!
Aru rammed the shackle with a magic-powered kick.
The rune shattered.
Red light burst like sparks—
The wolf roared—then collapsed, breathing heavily but no longer enraged.
Zara gently touched the unconscious creature's fur.
"He's free…"
But before they could celebrate—
A hunter yelled:
"RETREAT! CALL THE COMMANDER!"
The hunters fled into the shadows.
Aru's heart pounded.
Tiko gulped. "Commander? They have a COMMANDER!?"
Eldros frowned. "A far greater threat approaches."
Aru's breath caught.
What threat?
What commander?
Why did his antlers hold magic that hunters wanted so badly?
Questions swirled…
And fate whispered—
This was only the beginning.