Night settled over the Emerald Forest like a soft blanket, but no one felt comforted.
The Spineback Wolf lay unconscious near the center of the clearing, his breaths steady now that the corrupted runes were gone. The team surrounded him, forming a loose guard circle—half to protect him, half because nobody wanted to be the one closest to his very sharp, very illegal-looking fangs.
Aru sat down, legs still faintly glowing with golden warmth. He felt… strange.Not bad, not painful, just changed.
Like something ancient inside him had woken up and said:
"Surprise. You're magic now."
Zara checked his legs. "Your mana channels opened early… and fast. Very unusual."
Aru laughed nervously. "Unusual good or unusual 'uh-oh'?"
"Yes."Zara walked away.
Aru groaned. "That's not an answer!"
The Wolf Awakens
The Spineback Wolf stirred, groaning. Everyone froze.
Tiko whispered, "Say something calming, Aru!"
Aru panicked. "Uhh—HELLO BIG DOGGO—WE ARE FRIENDS PLEASE DO NOT DEVOUR ME."
Squirlo facepalmed so hard it echoed.
The wolf slowly stood, his blue eyes no longer glowing but clear.
He looked at them all, then bowed his head slightly toward Aru.
"You… freed me."
His voice was deep, echoing through the clearing like distant thunder.
Aru swallowed. "We couldn't let them hurt you."
The wolf nodded. "Then it is time you know my name. I am Fenrirous—guardian of the Northern Wilds."
Tiko gasped. "BRO. You mean like the Fenrirous? The legend? The wolf who fought an avalanche with his face!?"
Fenrirous blinked. "…That story is exaggerated."
Squirlo whispered, "So it was a small avalanche?"
"No. A mountain."
Aru: "…"
Fenrirous's Warning
Fenrirous lowered himself to the ground, weakened.
"The hunters captured me with forbidden shackles. But they were not acting alone."
Eldros stepped forward. "You speak of their leader."
"Yes. The one they call… The Chain Commander."
A cold breeze swept through the forest at the name—as if even nature shivered.
Zara's fur bristled. "Chain Commander… that's not a hunter title. That's a war title."
Fenrirous nodded."He once served the tyrant king beyond the wastelands. A man obsessed with rare magic… especially magic born from ancient creatures."
His eyes turned toward Aru.
"Like the magic inside you."
Aru froze. "M-Me?"
Fenrirous nodded solemnly. "The golden light in your legs… that is not normal forest magic. It is primal. Very old. Very powerful."
Tiko whispered, "Our boy is SPECIAL? I KNEW IT."
Rella added, "Can you please be serious for five seconds? He's literally being hunted."
What the Commander Wants
Fenrirous took a painful breath.
"The Chain Commander seeks beings with dormant ancient magic. He drains them… uses them… breaks them."
Aru felt goosebumps along his entire body.
"Why me? I'm just—just Aru. I can barely run straight!"
Zara looked at him, eyes softer than usual. "Aru… we don't know why yet. But your magic is older than ours. It's something the hunters have never captured before."
Eldros rumbled in agreement. "And that makes you a target."
Aru's stomach plummeted.
The Hunters' Signal
A sudden light flared in the distance.
A glowing red flare shot into the sky above the trees, exploding like a firework.
Everyone flinched.
Squirlo screamed, "OH NO THEY'RE DOING A FUNERAL FIREWORK FOR US AND WE'RE STILL ALIVE!"
Zara corrected him. "That's a tracker flare. It alerts the commander of the exact location."
Tiko squeaked, "SO WE'RE GONNA DIE?"
Bolo cracked his knuckles. "Not if we break them first."
Eldros frowned deeply. "He is coming. And he will not arrive quietly."
Fenrirous growled weakly. "You must leave. The commander is not a foe for children."
Aru clenched his fists.
"I'm not leaving you behind. Or my friends."
Fenrirous blinked. "You… would stay? Even knowing the danger?"
"Yes."Aru's voice trembled but did not break."I'm tired of running. I want to stand up for once."
Tiko jumped on his back. "THEN I STAND TOO! EVEN IF MY LEGS ARE DECORATIVE."
Rella sighed but stepped forward. "Fine. I'll help."
Bolo grinned. "Good."
Eldros placed his massive trunk over them all in a protective gesture."You are not alone, Aru."
Zara looked at Aru—really looked.
"You've changed," she said softly.
Aru felt heat rise in his cheeks. "Uh—thanks?"
"No," she clarified. "I mean you've gotten weirder. But also braver."
Aru: "I'll take it."
The Ground Begins to Tremble
Leaves rattled.
Birds fled in swarms.
Even distant mountains seemed to vibrate.
Boom.
Boom.
Boom.
Each step shook the ground like the forest itself was afraid.
Squirlo whispered, "Is that… him?"
Zara whispered, "Yes."
A massive silhouette appeared between the trees.A towering armored figure, wrapped in chains that rattled with each movement.A mask of steel, carved with emotionless eyes.
The Chain Commander had arrived.
He dragged a giant hooked chain behind him…and the sound alone made everyone's fur stand on end.
He stopped just twenty paces away.
The forest went dead silent.
Then he spoke—his voice metallic, distorted, cold:
"The antelope.Hand him over.Now."
Aru stepped forward before anyone could stop him.
"No."
The commander tilted his head slowly.
"…Interesting."
Aru's legs glowed faintly again.
The commander's chains tightened, rattling with a sharp metallic whine.
Zara whispered, "Aru… be careful."
Aru didn't feel brave.He felt terrified.
But he stood his ground anyway.
And for the first time—the Chain Commander seemed genuinely intrigued.
"So… the Golden Runner awakens."
The wind blew.
The chains lifted.
Aru's heart raced.
Because this wasn't just a confrontation.
This was the beginning of a war.