House of Rand

by Jakeros

Caelus disappeared without a trace one day, leaving March and the rest of the Express devastated... until he suddenly turns back up a month later. But why does he look older, and what's this about an alternate reality? But what March really wants to know is: why is Bronya's mother alive and why is she so close to her friend! AU. Eventual CaelusxCocolia. Cover art by PenTipBreaker.

16. Chapter 14

Note at the end, let's begin.

Read, review, enjoy (another long chapter)

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Honkai Star Rail is property of Hoyoverse. I own nothing.

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"dialogue"

"call"

system

:text:

"altered"

"mental conversation"

"flashback"

SOUND EFFECT

/dream/

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For someone so young, Caelus couldn't help but marvel at just how driven Lynx, the youngest of the Landau siblings, truly was.

He had heard plenty about her from Serval, and even Gepard wasn't above gushing about his baby sister. It was an open secret that the two considered Lynx a hallmark of Belobog's explorers.

But witnessing it firsthand—well, that was something else entirely.

The moment they stepped out of the city proper, the lethargic air that had clung to her vanished, replaced by a sharp, almost fierce energy. Lynx moved with such natural precision; her every step deliberate as she scoured the snow-covered terrain. Her eyes were locked on the ground, scanning with a practiced intensity that Caelus could only admire. There wasn't a trace of hesitation as she crouched down to inspect a patch of snow that, to him, looked completely undisturbed.

"Trotters have been through here," she muttered, just loud enough for him to catch over the soft crunch of their footsteps in the frost.

"How can you tell?" Lynx's head snapped toward him, her eyes narrowing in mild offense. The way she looked at him—sharp and critical—made his stomach flip. His hands felt clammy under her gaze, and he shifted uncomfortably in place, the cold suddenly more biting. "I mean," he fumbled, "the snow doesn't look any different here, does it?"

Her stare lingered a moment longer before she exhaled in what seemed like reluctant understanding. Caelus half-expected her to brush him off or keep moving without another word. Instead, she straightened up, her stiff posture relaxing ever so slightly as she waved him over.

"I can see why you'd think that. Come here."

Caelus obeyed, lowering himself beside her, careful to keep a respectful distance. Serval had already warned him about Lynx's discomfort with others getting too close, and he had no intention of pushing his luck. So when her hand seized his, the startled jolt that ran through him had him tensing up. Her grip was surprisingly firm, her fingers cold but steady as she guided his hand toward the snowy ground.

"Trotters are ethereal by nature," she said, her voice low and deliberate, like she was reciting something only a select few were meant to understand. "They leave very little trace. Almost nothing, in fact. But they still exert force—it's subtle, but it's there. You wouldn't notice unless you've learned to see the signs."

Caelus felt her hand press his fingers into the snow, directing him to a small patch that, at first glance, had looked just like any other. Now, though, with her guidance, he noticed a faint depression, barely the size of a coin, slightly deeper than the rest of the untouched surface.

"Here," she murmured, her breath visible in the frigid air as it mingled with his, "feel that?"

He did. The imprint was minuscule, something he would've missed a hundred times over had he been on his own. "You're right," Caelus breathed, his voice laced with genuine awe as he glanced back at her. "You've got sharp eyes, Lynx!"

For a fleeting moment, her usual composed expression shattered. Her wide eyes blinked at him in surprise, lips parting in a small "o" of disbelief. It was the kind of reaction that made Caelus wish he could freeze time, maybe even snap a quick pic. But just as quickly, Lynx recovered, coughing into her hand to mask her brief fluster.

"I-It's just a necessary skill," she muttered, her voice stiffer now, tinged with a hint of embarrassment. "Anyone who calls themselves an explorer should be able to do this much."

"Still impressive though. I'd have to rely on an app to catch something like this."

"Relying on tech like that is stupid," she blurted, folding her arms as if the mere thought itself offended her. "When the Freeze took over, it knocked civilization on its head. We were practically thrown back to the Dark Ages. Sure, we had the knowledge to re-engineer tech so it could still work, but not everyone was that lucky. Some people had to relearn the basics—like tracking. And frankly, I prefer it. Machines make mistakes."

"People do too," Caelus pointed out, though there was no bite to his words, just a quiet observation.

Lynx's gaze softened as she nodded absently, her mind already wandering somewhere distant. "…yeah."

"But you're right. Makes me wonder how much I've missed when I've been out here."

"Looks can be deceiving," Lynx murmured, her voice softening, staring down at her gloved hand. "That's why I became an explorer."

Caelus's eyes widened at her sudden admission. He watched as her gaze fell to the snow at her feet, yet there was a wistful smile playing on her lips, full of wonder that left him breathless.

"What we assume to be nothing more than an empty tundra could be hiding remnants of the old world, back before this never-ending blizzard came about," she continued, her words filled with quiet conviction. "I want to uncover everything, to bring back those memories of what our people once had—and what we can have again, given time. Belobog won't be a snow globe forever. I believe that."

Caelus couldn't help but grin, the warmth of it cutting through the cold air between them. "Well, if anyone would know something like that, it's Belobog's most impressive deep explorer."

The compliment, however genuine, seemed to rub Lynx the wrong way. Her eyes narrowed, a flash of irritation flaring in them. "Don't treat me like a kid."

"I wasn't," Caelus countered quickly, his tone steady, the words coming instinctively. Lynx blinked at him, her eyes widening, but this time not in offense. "If anything, I'm the kid here."

She frowned, her head tilting slightly. "But… you're older than me."

He flashed her a bitter smile. "Looks can be deceiving, right? Just like this world. That's why I try to encourage people to get to know what's beyond the surface."

For a long moment, Lynx just stared at him, the tension between them thick enough to feel through the cold. Then, finally, she let out a soft scoff, a breath of amusement barely audible. "…you're weird."

"Coming from the girl who strives to avoid social interaction like the plague? I'll take that as a compliment."

That, of all things, managed to crack Lynx's icy exterior—a tiny, genuine smirk tugged at her lips as she stood up, brushing the snow from her knees. "Definitely weird. Most people wouldn't bother freezing their hides off in the wastes like this, waxing philosophical about ancient history."

"If that makes me weird, then what does that make you for hanging out with me?" Caelus shot back with a sly grin.

Lynx squared her shoulders, hands on her hips as she jutted her chin out, looking almost proud. "Slightly less weird, obviously. Now come on. Those trotters had to leave more tracks nearby. I'll leave it to you to find them this time—my way."

"Me?" Caelus raised a brow, suspicion creeping into his voice. "Why give me the lead?"

Her smile grew, just enough to make him feel a creeping sense of impending doom. "Consider it an intro to my boot camp. If you're going to hang out with me, you're going to have to keep up. Who knows when you might get stuck out here alone without all that tech you rely on."

---

Sooner than I'd like, Caelus thought bitterly as the memory drifted from his mind.

Lynx's impromptu boot camp had been anything but gentle, the kind of tough love that left bruises on both body and ego. But despite the rough edges of her methods, the skills he'd picked up had gotten him this far, hadn't they?

It wasn't long before he'd honed his instincts to the point where he could almost keep pace with her—almost.

But Lynx, with her quiet resourcefulness, always seemed one step ahead. No matter how close he got to matching her in skill, she had this uncanny ability to outsmart the wilderness itself.

He could see why Pela trusted her so deeply. Lynx was everything her siblings had claimed she was and more. Sharp, uncompromising, driven by something even she probably couldn't articulate.

Her training, harsh and unyielding as it was, gave him the needed edge in his search for Tobias, pushing him through snow-laden paths where most would've turned back. He could almost hear her voice in his head, urging him on, demanding that he pay attention, to dig deeper, push harder. Each step through the tundra, each moment his breath fogged the icy air, was a testament to what she had taught him.

And now, as he scanned the endless white horizon, looking for any sign of the missing Tobias, he realized how much he owed to her unforgiving lessons.

Though he still had no idea what the point had been to have him carry her up a steep cliff that one time. "Trying is a myth; you either do something or don't," she kept saying, all while stuffing her face with snacks.

He shook his head roughly.

Focus, Caelus. Need to find that idiot.

Compared to trotters, tracking humans was child's play at this point. Lynx had drilled the skill into him with the same relentless precision she applied to her custom pickaxe—though more than once, in a fit of frustration, she'd nearly taken said pick to his skull instead.

But thanks to her unforgiving tutelage, Caelus could now read the land like a map: the subtle bend of branches, the shallow dents in fresh snow, each little feature that those untrained would miss.

It helped that Tobias wasn't exactly hiding his path, either. His trail cut through the wilderness with the recklessness of someone consumed by a single, blinding goal.

Taking on Grim Fang... Whether it was to avenge his fallen siblings or simply to prove his worth to himself or others, Caelus didn't care. What mattered was stopping him before he made a fatal mistake—one that would leave a certain young woman heartbroken if he didn't turn back in time.

A flicker of doubt gnawed at Caelus as he trudged through the snow, pushing himself past tree after tree.

Is this my fault?

The question had haunted him long before this mess started, the doubt creeping in like a chill that the frigid air couldn't explain. Tobias had clearly seen him as a threat from the start, but to what, exactly? That part still eluded him.

Even so, Caelus reminded himself for the hundredth time—Tobias had made this choice. He had chosen to treat Caelus with hostility, to let that jealousy or pride fester. Truthfully, Caelus could care less what the idiot thought of him. But when that same idiot's recklessness began to endanger others? When it turned violent?

That was a line Caelus couldn't rightly ignore.

His fists clenched at the thought, boots crunching deeper into the snow as his pace quickened.

Finding Tobias was one thing; getting him back was another beast entirely. The man was already hostile towards him and might even try to fight him like before. But it didn't matter. One way or another, Tobias was going back to Yakarich with his limbs intact.

Even if I have to carry that idiot back by force.

AROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO—

The howl tore through the forest like a jagged blade, a deep, bone-chilling sound that seemed to rise from the very bowels of the earth. It dwarfed every other sound, reverberating through the frozen air with such force that the ground trembled beneath Caelus' feet.

It wasn't just one howl, either. A chorus followed, a twisted symphony of predators answering the call of something far more dangerous than anything he'd encountered.

Memories of his showdown in the canyon weeks ago bubbled to the surface, making him grip his weapon a little tighter. The sound no longer filled him with dread, at least of the unknown. He'd fought enough of the creatures over his stay that he'd grown used to the sound and as well as the beasts themselves; he'd even helped Abram's party fend off some during a hunt a few days prior.

No, the dread this time around came from what they were gathering for…

Gritting his teeth, Caelus pushed himself into overdrive, his heart hammering in his chest as he broke into a full sprint.

Instinct screamed at him to turn around, to head in the opposite direction and flee from the threat that awaited. The primal urge for self-preservation gnawed at the back of his mind, but Caelus shoved it down, gritting his teeth harder.

The treeline blurred around him as he vaulted over fallen logs and thick underbrush, dodging jagged rocks and low-hanging branches with skillful timing. Each obstacle seemed to claw at him, sharp branches leaving thin scratches across his face and arms, but he ignored the sting. Adrenaline pumped through his body, sharpening his focus until all he could think about was getting to Tobias.

Don't die on me yet, dammit, Caelus growled inwardly, his breath clouding the icy air.

The howls grew louder, more frequently, as if the very forest was preparing for a slaughter.

"DIE, DIE, DIE, YOU MANGY BASTARDS!"

Caelus's heart clenched at the voice: the fool was alive—but for how long?

The air was thick with the scent of blood, wet and metallic, mingling with the pungent stench of the beasts. The growls and yelps of the blisterfangs rang out, answered by Tobias's crazed battle cries.

As Caelus burst through the final line of trees and into the clearing, he took in the grim sight.

Tobias stood, battered but still on his feet, surrounded by the crumpled bodies of three blisterfangs. A sort of glimmering blood pooled beneath them, their fur matted and slick, as steam rose from the gashes Tobias had managed to carve into their hides.

For a moment, Caelus felt a flicker of admiration—the idiot was holding his own for once. But it was short-lived.

Caelus's eyes flicked to the side, and his breath caught in his throat.

A fourth blisterfang, its mangy fur bristling with rage, was slinking low through the snow toward Tobias's blind spot. Its jowls dripped with acidic saliva, each drop hissing as it hit the snow, leaving a trail of melted craters in its wake. Its eyes, dark and hateful, locked onto Tobias like a predator savoring its next meal.

Tobias, oblivious to the danger, was still locked in battle with the remaining blisterfangs. The beast, sensing its moment, coiled its muscles and lunged, fangs bared, aiming for Tobias's throat.

Time seemed to slow. The blisterfang's maw yawned wide, its jagged teeth glinting, but Caelus was faster. His weapon flashed in the pale morning light, and he swung it with all his might, the hilt catching the wolf-like creature square in the side.

The blisterfang let out a high-pitched yelp, its body twisting in midair as Caelus hurled it away from Tobias with a sickening thud. It crashed into the snow, writhing for a moment before scrambling back onto its feet, snarling and baring its teeth in fury.

Tobias spun around, wild-eyed, still clutching his weapon with trembling hands. "YOU—?!"

"Yeah, yeah, thank me by not dying yet," Caelus cut Tobias off, not in the mood for his barbs. "I'll make an opening. When I do, you make a break for the treeline. I'll be right behind you."

"You think you can just order me around because you're stronger? I can handle myself!" His voice was venomous, punctuated by the furious swipe of his pike. The weapon—still slick with glowing, viscous blood—sliced through the air, catching one of the wolves in its side. The beast yelped, stumbling back, but Tobias pressed forward with a growl, surging into the fray like a man possessed.

Caelus cursed under his breath as more blisterfangs darted forward, their snarls filling the clearing like a symphony of impending death.

I do not have time for this, he thought angrily, gripping his halberd tighter.

His mind raced, tempted to unleash his true power, to call upon the weapons that would end this fight in an instant. His bat alone could clear the field, but with Tobias here, reckless and enraged, could he risk it?

The blisterfangs closed in, their foaming jaws snapping hungrily. Caelus steeled himself, the icy air sharp in his lungs as the first wave came crashing down on him. He ducked under a vicious swipe, feeling the rush of air as claws sliced through the space where his head had been. He retaliated in a heartbeat, his halberd cutting clean through the beast's neck, dropping it to the snow in a heap. But no sooner had one fallen than another took its place, snarling and relentless.

Their numbers were growing— at this rate, the whole damned pack would be on them.

"Tobias! We need to leave! We can't take on this many!"

"THEN GO!" Tobias roared, his voice frayed with rage and stubborn pride. He gutted another wolf, its glowing blood splattering across his already stained armor. "I'm not leaving until every single one of these abominations is dead!"

"You can't kill them all!" Caelus shot back, his voice edged with desperation as he fended off another beast.

"WATCH ME!" Tobias bellowed, plunging his pike into the chest of another blisterfang. The beast let out a final, guttural yowl before collapsing at his feet.

The pack hesitated, retreating slightly under the fury of his assault. Whether it was the sheer force of Tobias's rage or Caelus's ironclad dfense, the wolves were beginning to falter, their snarls giving way to uncertain whines as they shuffled back.

"That's right!" Tobias laughed, his eyes gleaming with a manic intensity. He took a step forward, challenging the remaining beasts. "Scurry on back to your sire! I'll be coming for it next!"

The blisterfangs circled warily, their bloodlust dimming, but Caelus knew better than to believe the threat was over.

Just then, the ground itself seemed to tremble in response, and the trees swayed violently as if bowing to some immense, unseen force. Caelus froze, his pulse pounding in his ears. Even the blisterfangs, savage and relentless just moments ago, skittered backward, their snarls fading into uneasy whimpers.

A massive veil of white exploded through the treeline like a snowstorm given form, shaking the earth as it landed with a deafening crash. The force of it sent a wave of powdery snow billowing into the clearing, momentarily blinding Caelus. He blinked through the flurry, his heart hammering in his chest, only for the veil to part and reveal a hulking beast.

Grim Fang.

The alpha towered over them, its fur a gleaming, unnatural white, rippling like frost-covered silk beneath the weak light. It was the size of grizzly automaton, easily dwarfing the blisterfangs, and yet it moved with an eerie, predatory grace. Every inch of the beast exuded raw power. Its muscles coiled beneath its skin like tightly wound springs, ready to unleash fury at a moment's notice. But it was its eyes that pinned Caelus in place—the cold, glowing eyes of a creature that knew no fear, only hunger. It stared at him with a gaze that swallowed the light, and Caelus felt a sickening dread knot in his stomach.

Now, face-to-face with it once again, Caelus could barely breathe. The wolf's gaze felt like a vise around his chest, tightening with every second, making him feel small—insignificant. A mouse staring up at a mountain lion, knowing it had no chance to outrun the inevitable.

His fingers twitched around the shaft of his halberd, instinct screaming at him to run once again, but his feet felt rooted to the spot. Grim Fang's massive paws crunched the snow as it stepped forward, the low rumble of a growl vibrating through the air.

"You finally show yourself, cur," Tobias sneered, stepping forward with his bloodied pike raised high. His voice rang with false bravado, each word sharpened by the fury burning in his chest. "I was starting to think gutting your kin wouldn't be enough to draw you out like last time."

The monstrous wolf stood still, its massive body framed by the twisted, frost-covered trees. It didn't so much as twitch as Tobias approached, only releasing a low, rumbling growl that reverberated through the clearing like distant thunder. Its glowing eyes watched Tobias with a mix of disinterest and cold calculation, the way a predator might observe a mouse scurrying toward its own death.

"They had it coming," Tobias spat, his words soaked in venom. "For taking mine from me—not that a monster like you would understand that."

Caelus felt his chest tighten as the memory of the previous hunt surged back into his mind. He remembered the sight of Grim Fang standing over its fallen kin, eyes filled with something disturbingly human—grief. It had mourned its dead, much like any person would. Tobias, blind with rage, had clearly missed it. Now, he hurled insults at the creature, ignorant of the danger he was walking into.

"Today," Tobias snarled, his grip tightening on the pike as he strode closer, "I'll do what no one else before me could—I'll rid this land of your foul existence! No more will your kind hunt mine! No more families torn apart by your filthy jaws. Today you FALL!"

"TOBIAS, DON'T—!"

Tobias charged, swinging his pike with reckless abandon at the wolf's massive skull. The blow landed with a dull thunk, the sound barely registering in the icy air.

Grim Fang didn't even flinch.

Tobias's pike snapped in two, the metal shattering like brittle wood against the beast's iron-thick skull. Stunned, Tobias stood frozen, staring down at the broken shaft of his weapon as if it had betrayed him. His mouth parted in disbelief, but no sound came out, his brain struggling to catch up with the reality of what had just happened.

The wolf's eyes gleamed. In one swift motion, it lashed out with a massive paw, its claws catching Tobias square in the chest. Tobias's body was flung across the clearing like a ragdoll, skidding and tumbling through the snow until he came to a painful stop against a jagged outcrop of ice. His scream split the air, raw and ragged, echoing through the trees.

Triumphant howls rang out in response, the blisterfangs surging forward, their bloodthirsty eyes locked on the wounded guard. Tobias struggled to rise, blood staining the snow beneath him. "S-Stay back, you filth!" he spat, the words wobbling between pain and desperation. His arms trembled as he tried to push himself to his feet, but his body refused to cooperate. "I-I'm not afraid of you…!"

The blisterfangs let out a chorus of sharp growls, their eyes glowing with savage glee as they closed in, jaws snapping at the scent of blood. Three of them lunged at once, a blur of white fur and gnashing teeth.

Fortunately, Caelus was faster. His halberd cut through the air like lightning, the shaft catching two of the wolves in their throats, sending them sprawling back into the snow with startled yelps. The third blisterfang leaped at him, fangs bared, but Caelus twisted his body and lashed out with a brutal kick to its snout. The force sent it flying back, whimpering as it crashed into the ground.

"W-what are you butting in for, Outsider? Back—"

"Oh, shut it already!" Caelus whirled around, his voice booming through the clearing as he cut Tobias off mid-sentence. The roar of frustration silenced the man instantly, shock written across his face. "You think this is going to make you more of a man? Throwing yourself to the same wolves that killed your siblings!?"

"How do you—?!"

"There's bravery, and there's stupidity. Take a wild guess which one you're doing right now." Caelus's voice dropped, but his eyes remained fixed on the blisterfangs circling behind them. "Dying here won't make you a hero, Tobias. All it's going to do is leave the people who care about you miserable and broken for years to come. Is that what you want? HUH?!"

Tobias's glare remained hard, his jaw clenched tight, but Caelus could see the conflict flickering behind his eyes. He had no comeback, no retort—just stubborn silence, digging his heels into a pointless fight he couldn't win.

Caelus clucked his tongue as he turned his attention back to the blisterfangs, all of them still waiting, still hungry. "I told you; you can't kill them all. Charging into a losing battle like this doesn't make you brave. It just makes you a stubborn idiot."

"And you think you can?" Tobias shot back, refusing to give in. "You're not anything special either, Outsider! If my weapon broke against that thing, yours will too!"

Caelus paused, eyeing his halberd with a hard, thoughtful look.

Tobias had a point. This beast was beyond what mere steel could handle. Yet instead of that realization filling him with doubt, Caelus could only grin.

"You know," he said with a slow, dangerous smile, "that might be the first thing we've agreed on."

Without hesitation, Caelus tossed his weapon to Tobias, the metal clattering at the man's feet. Tobias looked down, confused, but before he could speak, Caelus extended his hand to the side. Lightning crackled in his palm, electricity dancing in erratic arcs as it coalesced into a bright, pulsing ball of light. The energy grew more intense, blinding, before slowly molding itself into the unmistakable shape of a weapon.

As the light faded, Caelus's fingers wrapped around the familiar, heavy handle of his trusty bat. He swung it over his shoulder, the weight settling into his grip like a long-lost friend. The metallic sheen of the bat gleamed under the pale light, humming with barely-contained power.

Tobias's eyes nearly bulged out of his skull, disbelief washing over him. "You—You're a Pathstrider?!"

"On occasion," Caelus quipped with a grin, his eyes shifting toward the blisterfangs once more. The tension in the air was electric, both from his newly summoned weapon and the wolves circling them like vultures waiting for their prey to falter.

The blisterfangs snarled, their eyes narrowing, sensing the shift in the air. But Caelus wasn't concerned.

"I'm clearing a path, like I said," Caelus growled, his eyes never leaving the blisterfangs as they circled, their snarls cutting through the frigid air. He shot Tobias a sharp glare over his shoulder. "As soon as I do, you run. If you don't, I'll drag you out of here myself."

Tobias, wide-eyed and still in shock from everything that had unfolded, could only nod, his voice lost somewhere in his throat. There was no time for arguments now. The blisterfangs lunged, their acidic drool sizzling as it hit the snow, and Caelus's instincts took over in an instant.

He swung his bat in a blur of motion, each strike calculated and precise. The wolves came at him with savage ferocity, jaws snapping, claws slashing through the air, but Caelus moved like a whirlwind. Every time they leapt for him, he was already there, meeting them head-on with brutal force. One by one, they fell, the crunch of bones and the wet thud of bodies hitting the ground echoing around him.

Sometimes the blisterfangs tried to take him on alone, but more often they swarmed, launching themselves at him in a coordinated frenzy, a writhing mass of fur and fangs. Caelus was relentless, though, his bat a blur as he defended not only himself but Tobias, cutting through the wolves like they were nothing but shadows in his path.

Just a little more…

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a flash of movement—something massive, something gray.

Before he could fully turn, the giant wolf's enormous paw came crashing down, a blur of fur and claws aiming to crush him where he stood. Caelus spun on his heel and swung his bat with all the force he could muster, the weapon colliding with Grim Fang's strike in a blinding explosion of light. The impact sent shockwaves through his body, his muscles straining, his grip on the bat nearly slipping as the force rattled his bones.

For a moment, he thought his arm might give out completely, the searing pain shooting up from his wrist to his shoulder. But he held firm, gritting his teeth as Grim Fang leapt back with a furious snarl, the remaining blisterfangs rallying around their alpha.

Caelus breathed hard, shaking out the numbness spreading through his arm. It was a miracle that his shoulder hadn't been dislocated from that blow. Grim Fang's glowing eyes locked onto him, unblinking, full of predatory hunger. The blisterfangs circled, their growls reverberating like a low, menacing hum.

"I was wondering when you'd get involved," Caelus muttered through gritted teeth, his muscles throbbing from the blow. He risked a quick glance behind him and exhaled in relief. Tobias was gone—hopefully racing toward safety, without any wolves on his tail.

Good. At least now the pack's attention was on him, and only him.

Caelus tightened his grip on the bat, glaring down the pack and their monstrous leader. "I've been meaning to pay you mutts back for last time," he called out, his voice laced with fury. The wolves responded with a chorus of snarls, their hackles raised. "And don't think you're getting a free lunch today. If you want breakfast, you gotta earn it!"

With that, Caelus charged forward with a roar, his bat swinging with raw, unbridled force. The blisterfangs leapt to meet him, jaws wide, ready to tear him apart—but Caelus was ready. With Tobias out of harm's way, he could finally focus, finally unleash the full extent of his skills. His bat arced through the air, glowing faintly with residual electricity, slamming into the wolves with a series of devastating blows.

Each swing shattered bones, each strike sent one flying. The clearing became a blur of violence as Caelus carved through the pack, his movements a perfect blend of precision and savagery. The blisterfangs fell before him, one after the other, but he barely noticed the bodies piling up. His focus was on Grim Fang, the massive wolf watching from the edge of the battle, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

A vicious snarl from behind snapped Caelus's attention back just in time to dodge a crushing bite from Grim Fang, the beast's jaws snapping shut mere inches from his face. For a split second, he locked eyes with the wolf, his reflection glinting in its cold, merciless gaze. Its breath was hot, reeking of death and blood, making his skin crawl. With a swift twist of his body, Caelus swung his bat, landing a glancing blow against Grim Fang's side, forcing the monstrous alpha to leap away with surprising agility.

Big and fast. Just my luck, Caelus thought, grimacing as Grim Fang circled, muscles rippling under its snow-white fur. It was an unfavorable matchup for sure, but far from impossible. He'd faced worse. Ruan Mei's failed experiment had nearly crushed him, and yet here he was, still standing. I can do this, he reassured himself, eyes locking onto Grim Fang's hulking form, his mind narrowing in on the singular threat.

But focusing on the alpha was his mistake.

The rest of the pack wasn't done with him yet. Two blisterfangs lunged from his flank, jaws snapping at his legs. Caelus moved quickly, dispatching them with rapid strikes. One fell with a crunch, the other sent sprawling into the snow. Not a second later, the alpha's thick tail lashed out like a whip, striking Caelus across the chest with enough force to send him stumbling backward, his bat flying from his grip.

Before he could fully recover, the wolves were on him, their growls like thunder in his ears. They surged toward him in a blur of white and fangs, snapping and clawing, their breath hot against his skin. Instinctively, Caelus threw out his hand, summoning his weapon. The bat obeyed, spinning through the air and crashing into one of the blisterfangs, sending it skyward. With a swift follow-up strike, he sent another wolf careening into its packmate, buying himself a moment to breathe.

"Persistent," Caelus muttered through clenched teeth, glaring at the pack as they regrouped, their eyes gleaming with hunger. The clearing was littered with the bodies of their fallen brethren—at least a dozen lay dead, either by his hand or Tobias's, it didn't matter. The remaining wolves, undeterred by their losses, pressed in, snarling with renewed fury.

He could sense it—his time was running out. Even with their numbers diminished, the pack was relentless. They didn't need to overpower him all at once. They would wear him down, bit by bit, until he was too tired to fight back. Then he'd be easy prey for Grim Fang.

He could try to run, to make it back to the village and hope that Tobias had gotten far enough to alert someone. But what if the pack pursued him into the forest? Yakarich's defenders wouldn't stand a chance against both the pack and their monstrous alpha. They'd slaughter the whole village, down to the last child.

No. Running wasn't an option.

Caelus dug his heels into the snow, taking a defensive stance, his breath steadying as he eyed the wolves. His muscles coiled like springs, ready for the next onslaught. He glared past the snarling pack to the hulking alpha. If I can just take it out, maybe the rest will scatter, he thought, grim determination settling in his chest.

Just as he prepared to lead the wolves away from the village, the pack suddenly stilled, their ears pricking up, their attention shifting from him to something behind. A low growl rumbled from their throats as they slowly turned, their eyes narrowing in unison.

Caelus's own gaze followed theirs, his heart hammering in his chest as he pivoted to see what had caught their attention.

The rapid crunch of snow behind him sent a shiver up Caelus's spine, his instincts screaming at him to keep his focus forward. But the urgency in the sound was too great, and against his better judgment, he turned.

Charging up the hill, a small army of villagers descended upon the clearing, their faces hardened with grim determination. Over two dozen of them, armed with an eclectic mix of weapons—everything from hunting rifles to crude spears and axes—surged forward like a tide of defiance. At the head of the group was none other than the village chief, his fur-lined cloak billowing out behind him as he raised his weapon high.

"MEN OF YAKARICH!" the Chief bellowed, his voice booming across the clearing like a war horn. "DRIVE THESE FIENDS BACK IN THE NAME OF THE GUARDIAN!"

The villagers answered with a resounding battle cry, their voices mixing with the sharp reports of rifles. Gunfire cracked through the frigid air, the sounds loud enough to make Caelus's ears ring. Bullets whizzed past him, punching into the advancing blisterfangs. Several of the wolves yelped in pain, stumbling back as the barrage of gunfire cut through their ranks.

Grim Fang snarled in fury, the glowing eyes of the monstrous alpha narrowing as it backed away from the sudden onslaught. The pack, so fierce just moments ago, began to falter under the combined force of the villagers. Their once-coordinated attacks broke apart as they scattered, driven back by the relentless hail of bullets and the wild determination of the men charging down upon them.

Caelus, still catching his breath, watched in astonishment as the pack began to retreat. The villagers pressed forward with renewed energy, their weapons flashing in the pale light as they fought to push the blisterfangs back into the forest. The tide had turned, the wolves now forced to give ground.

Caelus nearly collapsed from sheer relief, his knees buckling as exhaustion caught up with him. Just as he felt himself starting to fall, a strong pair of hands gripped his shoulders, steadying him.

"I got ya, slugger," Borini's familiar voice rumbled in his ear, a chuckle threading through the words.

"Tobias…" Caelus gasped, struggling to catch his breath.

"Sent him back to the village with Magna," Borini replied, his tone reassuring. "Don't think he'll be going anywhere anytime soon. Aeons above… You've been fighting that thing off this whole time?"

"Trying to," Caelus grunted, wincing as he forced himself back onto his feet.

"Easy there, lad. Don't push yourself any further than you already have," came another voice, this one deeper, commanding. Caelus turned to see the village chief standing beside him, armed with an ornate, ceremonial halberd. The weight of the man's presence was as solid as the weapon he carried. "You did well, holding out as long as you did, even for a strider."

Caelus's heart skipped a beat. The chief's words struck him like a blow. Strider. Cat was out of the bag it seemed and he couldn't think of anything to justify keeping it secret till now. "About that…" he began, fumbling for the right words, but the chief raised a hand, dismissing his concerns.

"Reasons mean little at this point, lad. What matters now is that you're the key to this."

"The… key?" Caelus repeated, his voice hoarse with disbelief. "Key to what?"

The chief's eyes, cold and hard as polished steel, fixed on the blisterfang pack across the clearing. "For generations, that beast and its spawn have haunted these lands, slaughtering our youth, tearing families apart. My grandfather was among those lost to it. No one who's faced Grim Fang has ever returned... until you that is."

The chief's words weighed heavy on the air, thick with generations of grief and rage. Caelus could feel it, the raw, unhealed wound this village had carried for years.

"But all those who fought before were ordinary souls," the chief continued, his voice grim. "Armed with nothing but crude weapons and courage. You, however, are a Pathstrider. You're different."

"You think I can kill it?" Caelus's voice was barely above a whisper. He could hardly believe what he was hearing. Sure, he'd held his own, but defeating the beast outright? It felt impossible—like a dream too far from reality.

"I do. And so do they." The Chief gestured to the villagers behind him, their faces hard with determination, their weapons ready. "They've seen what you're capable of. They believe in you. Every man here is prepared to fight, even to lay down their lives, for a future where our children don't have to live in fear of that creature. But if you feel you can't handle it, there's no shame in leaving this fight for another day. No one here will judge you for the choice you make."

Talk about pressure, he mused.

Even so, this could be his chance to free the village from the terror of Grim Fang once and for all, to leave Yakarich with a future free of its long shadow.

But could he really do it? All he had done so far was fend the wolf off—he hadn't dealt any serious damage… had he?

His gaze drifted back to the clearing where Grim Fang paced like a caged animal, its pack snarling and howling at the villagers. Except, the alpha wasn't just pacing—it was limping. The massive wolf favored one paw, the same one Caelus had struck with his bat earlier. Grim Fang wasn't putting any weight on it, each step marked by hesitation and pain.

I hurt it. I actually hurt it.

The realization hit him like a shockwave, adrenaline coursing through his veins. If he could hurt Grim Fang, then there was a chance—a real chance—that he could end it.

His grip tightened on his bat, resolve hardening in his chest.

"Chief," Caelus called out, his voice steady despite the storm brewing inside him. The village leader turned, his expression as solid and unreadable as the mountain behind them. "Do you think you can keep those mutts off me long enough for me to deal with that thing?"

The chief's gaze flicked to the snarling blisterfang pack and back to Caelus. He didn't answer immediately, just gave a slow, thoughtful nod. Before he could speak, though, Borini's voice broke in, laced with worry.

"W-wait, you're actually doing this?"

"It's limping, Borini."

"Limp—? Aeons above, he's right!" Borini gasped as he took in the subtle hitch in Grim Fang's gait, the wolf's massive paw barely brushing the ground.

"We won't get another chance like this," Caelus pressed, urgency threading through his voice. "If you and the rest can keep the pack off me, I'll give it everything I've got."

Borini fell silent, his brow furrowed as he searched Caelus's face. The man was usually quick to argue, but not this time. Caelus stood his ground, unyielding. He wasn't backing down now. Finally, Borini let out a long, weary sigh. "I should know better by now than to try talking you out of anything once you've made up your mind," Borini muttered, his voice resigned.

Caelus's expression softened, gratitude flickering in his eyes. "Thank you, Borini."

"Thank me if we live through this," Borini shot back with a grim chuckle, hoisting the rifle strapped to his back. "Much as I hate it, I'll fall back on my skillset. We'll give you the cover you need."

The chief stepped forward then, placing a firm hand on Caelus's shoulder. His eyes, usually so calm, gleamed with quiet determination. "We'll get the pack's attention," he said, voice low and steady. "That monstrosity will no doubt follow its brood. When it does, it's up to you to cut it off."

Caelus nodded, gripping his bat tighter, the familiar weight of it grounding him. "Got it."

The chief glanced at the weapon in Caelus's hands, one eyebrow raised in curiosity at the choice of armament, but he shrugged it off, giving Borini a quick clap on the shoulder as they turned to rejoin the others.

Caelus took a deep breath, his heart thudding in his chest like a war drum, and set his gaze on Grim Fang.

The beast limped on, weakened, but still very dangerous.

Caelus stood poised, every muscle tense as he waited for the chaos to erupt around him.

The hunters didn't disappoint.

A thunderous volley of rifle fire echoed through the clearing, cracking the still air like a whip. Several of the beasts dropped, their bodies collapsing into the snow, while the melee fighters surged forward, weapons flashing as they engaged the rest of the pack. The snarls and yelps of the wolves blended with the shouts of the villagers, a macabre symphony of bedlam and violence.

It was exactly the distraction Caelus needed.

He moved quickly, slipping through the fray with practiced ease, though not without having to batter down a wolf or two with swift, brutal strikes from his bat. Their bodies crumpled under the force, but Caelus hardly paused to take notice. His focus was on one target alone.

The alpha wolf snarled, its massive frame bristling with tension as its glowing eyes locked onto Caelus. The creature seemed to sense that Caelus was the real threat, no longer distracted by the hunters swarming its pack. A low, guttural growl rolled from Grim Fang's throat, vibrating through the air like distant thunder.

Caelus twirled his bat in a quick flourish, fixing the beast with a hard glare. Up close, Grim Fang was even more imposing than he'd imagined. Its hulking form loomed over him, its fur a shimmering mix of white and gray, the massive spines on its back gleaming like black glass. There was an aura of something almost supernatural about it, a force of nature in the shape of a beast. He could see now why so many spoke of Grim Fang in fearful reverence. The wolf was more than a creature—it was a legend. And facing it now, Caelus couldn't deny the flicker of intimidation that gnawed at the edge of his thoughts.

Now how do I do this? The question gnawed at him. He'd managed to wound its paw earlier with a well-placed strike from his bat, but that wasn't enough. Was the beast vulnerable to physical damage? Did it have weaknesses he hadn't seen yet?

Suddenly, Grim Fang's spines began to glow, and the air around it crackling with a sinister energy. The wolf's glowing eyes burned brighter, and Caelus's instincts screamed at him to be on guard.

Just as he anticipated, the alpha opened its massive jaws, a ball of searing fire forming in its throat. Caelus barely had time to react, throwing his bat up in front of him just as the ball of flames shot forth, exploding against the weapon in a brilliant flash. The impact sent a shockwave through his body, heat washing over him in waves, scrambling his senses. He stumbled back, the aftershock leaving his skin tingling, but he recovered quickly enough, his grip on the bat firm.

When the smoke cleared, Caelus froze, eyes widening.

Grim Fang had changed.

No longer just a massive wolf, the alpha of the blisterfangs now stood before him like a hound from hell, its fur ablaze with flames that danced across its body. The spines along its back had blackened, glowing like burning coals, smoke curling from them in sinister wisps. The creature's eyes, once gleaming with cold malice, now burned like embers, casting a fiery glow that illuminated the snow beneath it.

Its presence was suffocating, as if the very air around it had been set on fire.

Grim Fang suddenly lunged forward in a series of terrifyingly quick bounds, leaving scorched patches of earth in its wake. Each leap was a thunderous blur of flame and power, the ground hissing where its fiery paws landed. Caelus barely had time to react. His instincts screamed at him, and he threw himself into a frantic roll just as the wolf's massive jaws snapped shut on the space where he had stood only a heartbeat before. The force of its bite sent a gust of hot air rushing past his face, the ground beneath its teeth cracking like shattered glass.

Caelus hit the ground hard but kept moving, springing back to his feet just in time to land a glancing blow with his bat on the beast's hind leg. The impact, however, felt wrong—his bat seemed to bounce off Grim Fang's flaming hide, as though the creature's very flesh was now hardened like molten rock. Worse still, a searing pain shot through his hand, the heat from the beast's flames transferring through his weapon and into his skin.

He swallowed a scream, the agony blinding for a moment as his fingers throbbed with burning pain. Hitting it while it's on fire was a bad idea, he thought through gritted teeth, hastily switching the bat to his other hand. His scorched hand trembled, and he shook it furiously, trying to dull the pain that radiated from his palm. The heat that radiated from Grim Fang was unbearable, like standing inside the heart of a roaring furnace. Even just being near the beast was like having his skin peeled by fire.

The air shimmered with heat as Grim Fang prepared to strike again, its eyes glowing like molten coals. But just as Caelus braced for another assault, the light in the creature's eyes dimmed. The flames flickering across its body sputtered and died, and with a low, exhausted growl, the massive wolf slumped where it stood. Its once fearsome form now seemed drained, as if the fire itself had consumed its energy.

Caelus didn't hesitate. He tightened his grip on the bat, adrenaline surging through him. He ran his hand over the weapon's surface, imbuing it with the raw power of destruction, feeling the energy pulse through his veins. Sparks of light flickered along the length of the bat, its core glowing with a brilliant, crackling energy.

With a roar of defiance, Caelus charged forward, every muscle in his body coiled with determination. He swung the bat with everything he had, the force of his strike exploding with the weight of the Astral Express itself. The bat connected with Grim Fang's side in a blinding flash of light and power, and the impact sent the massive wolf hurtling through the air. It crashed into the cliffside with a thunderous boom, the ground trembling beneath the force of the collision.

For a moment, Caelus stood there, chest heaving, bat still humming with residual energy.

Did that do it...?

From the rubble of the cliffside, Grim Fang stirred. Its enormous body rose slowly, shaking off the debris as it gathered itself once more. Its eyes burned brighter than ever, glowing with an even deeper malice. The wolf's chest heaved with fury, each breath rattling with a menacing growl. It glared at Caelus with a hatred that chilled him to his bones—the human who had dared to harm it not once, but twice.

"Alright, so it can use fire," Caelus whispered, his voice hoarse with exhaustion but steady. "If I'm right, then the next phase should be..."

Grim Fang's eyes blazed with a fierce light, and with it, a blast of icy air surged from its maw, instantly flash-freezing the scorched earth beneath its paws. The very ground groaned under the sudden shift, the snow now crystallized into jagged shards of frost. The beast's form had transformed yet again—its once blazing frame now encased in wicked armor of ice. Spikes of jagged frost jutted from its legs and neck, and atop its massive head sat a crown of ice, sharp and menacing, glinting like a cruel tiara forged from winter's wrath.

AROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO—

The howl ripped through the air, deep and thunderous, vibrating through Caelus's bones. The ground beneath him trembled, responding to the primal fury in the wolf's cry. But rather than being cowed by the display of power, Caelus smirked.

His fingers flexed as he sent his bat back to storage, a brief flash of light signaling its disappearance. In its place, he drew forth the weapon that had saved his life on the day he first landed in this frozen wasteland—the blazing lance. As its familiar heat flared to life in his gloved hands, Caelus felt a flicker of comfort. The lance burned with a righteous, eternal flame, its warmth a stark contrast to the icy hell surrounding him.

For a moment, he wondered if one of the villagers might stop fighting, might call him out for wielding what they revered as an ancient, sacred artifact. But no such condemnation came. Even if it did, it wouldn't matter now. All that mattered was the enormous, furious wolf baying for his blood.

Grim Fang's eyes flashed once more, and thick, icy mists billowed from its mouth, curling in the air like venomous smoke. The air grew colder, biting at Caelus's skin as he raised the lance like a shield. Just in time—the wolf unleashed a beam of freezing energy, a deadly blast that would've turned him to ice where he stood. The force of the attack hammered against him, but Caelus held firm, the lance absorbing the brunt of the cold with a defiant blaze.

When the beam subsided, Caelus channeled his own flames into the lance, the weapon humming with the force of his power. He watched Grim Fang, its massive body already bounding toward him, closing the distance with terrifying speed. Each thundering step shook the ground, snow flying in all directions. The wolf's eyes burned with fury, and its maw gaped wide, ice forming at the edges of its teeth.

Now!

Caelus's gaze locked onto Grim Fang's wounded paw—the one crusted over with ice, the weakest point in the beast's new armor. He bided his time, waiting for the perfect moment as the wolf lunged for him.

Then, like a rocket, he surged forward, the lance propelling him across the clearing in a fiery streak. He aimed for the vulnerable paw, and with a cry of effort, the lance punched through Grim Fang's icy shell with explosive force. The beast roared in agony as the impact tripped it up, its massive body crashing to the frozen ground with a thunderous boom that echoed through the valley.

Caelus dug the lance into the earth to slow himself, skidding to a halt as shards of ice and snow sprayed around him. His heart pounded in his chest, but there was no time to waste. He ripped the lance free from the ground and sprinted toward Grim Fang's fallen form, flames still dancing along the weapon's length.

The massive wolf struggled to rise, its growls turning into a blood-curdling howl as it writhed in pain. Caelus didn't let up. With a fierce battle cry, he launched himself into the air, the lance aimed straight down at the beast's chest.

The lance pierced deep into Grim Fang's body, flames erupting as the wolf let out a howl of pure agony. Its massive form convulsed, trying to shake Caelus off, but he held on with every ounce of strength he had, refusing to let go. His hands were slick with sweat and snow, muscles screaming in protest, but Caelus gritted his teeth and hung on, determined to see this through to the bitter end.

The wolf thrashed wildly, but the fiery lance remained buried in its flesh, the flames spreading through its body, melting the ice that once armored it. Caelus could feel the life draining from the beast, its mighty struggles weakening with each passing moment.

After what felt like an eternity, Grim Fang's thrashing finally stopped. The beast let out one last, agonized whimper before its colossal form collapsed, motionless, against the frozen earth. Caelus stood atop the lifeless wolf, his chest heaving, the lance still lodged deep in its flesh. He could scarcely believe it—the beast that had terrorized Yakarich for generations now lay defeated at his feet.

For a long moment, everything was still. Then, all at once, the silence shattered. A roar of triumph erupted from the villagers below, the sound carrying through the crisp air. Caelus turned to look and saw the blisterfangs, once fierce predators, now fleeing like frightened dogs, their tails tucked between their legs. They yelped and yipped as they scrambled away, abandoning the fight entirely. The village's defenders raised their weapons high, their voices joining together in a thunderous cheer that shook the very trees. Despite the wounds they'd suffered—blood staining the snow and bandages hastily wrapped—their spirits soared.

"The day is ours! URA!" the Chief bellowed, his voice booming across the battlefield, his halberd lifted high. A nasty gash marred his chest, but his grin was wide, fierce.

"URA!" The men echoed, their victory cry reverberating in unison.

Caelus let out a low chuckle, barely able to contain the sense of wonder that swept over him. They had done it. Against all odds, they had slain the beast that had haunted this land for generations.

"Caelus!" Borini's voice rang out from behind him, and moments later, the explorer came skidding to a halt, breathless, his eyes wide as saucers. "Qlippoth's name… you actually killed it." Borini's gaze was locked on Grim Fang's massive corpse, disbelief etched into every line of his face.

The other villagers began to gather around, their murmurs growing louder as they took in the sight of the fallen alpha. Whispers of astonishment spread through the crowd like wildfire.

"By the Guardian..." one man muttered. "He did it..."

"It's really dead," another said, shaking his head in disbelief.

The Chief strode forward then, his eyes dark and thoughtful as he approached Grim Fang's still form. For a moment, he simply stared at the great wolf, as if absorbing the magnitude of the event. Then he let out a long, deep breath, his shoulders relaxing as he turned his gaze toward Caelus. Their eyes met, and the Chief gave him a solemn nod of respect.

Caelus nodded back, feeling a strange, quiet sense of completion as he withdrew the lance from Grim Fang's body, the blade still smoldering faintly with heat. The beast lay still, its reign of terror finally at an end.

"Wait till my folks hear about this," Borini breathed, his voice full of awe as he crouched down to tentatively prod the lifeless beast. "I mean… we actually killed it! This thing—this legend—it's really gone."

"Easy, lad," the Chief said with a chuckle, resting a hand on Borini's shoulder. "By nightfall, everyone will know of what happened here. And they'll know who we have to thank for it."

All eyes turned to Caelus.

The weight of their gazes settled on him, making the trailblazer shift uneasily. He wasn't one for the spotlight, and now, with the villagers' admiration palpable in the air, he suddenly felt exposed. But there was no denying the moment. He had led them to victory—something none of them could have imagined.

Yet, there was still one lingering question gnawing at Caelus's mind. He shifted uneasily, glancing at the Chief before finally speaking up. "Are you really fine with me keeping this a secret all this time?"

The Chief raised an eyebrow. "About you being a Pathstrider?"

Caelus nodded, the weight of the admission still settling on his shoulders. "Yeah," he added, a bit nervously.

The Chief let out a deep chuckle, his gaze softening. "Lad, if not for you, that beast would've terrorized our people for generations more. Our children already have enough to worry about with the Corrosion creeping at our borders. You've rid them of at least one nightmare. For that alone, I'd give you my eldest daughter's hand in marriage—if I had one, that is."

Caelus's face twisted in surprise and embarrassment. "T-that's not necessary," he stammered, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

Borini, ever the jokester, chimed in with a smirk. "Yeah, not like he doesn't have enough girls fawning over him as it is."

Caelus shot him a sharp glare, but the banter lightened the tension that had settled over the group. Before he could respond, the Chief spoke again, his voice carrying a note of seriousness as he turned to the gathered hunters and guards, who were still gawking at the massive corpse of Grim Fang.

"I can assure you," the Chief said, addressing the men, "that this latest feat should clear any lingering doubts about the lad, Pathstrider or not—right?"

The men, both hunters and guards alike, straightened at the Chief's words, nodding firmly. One by one, they began offering their praises and cheers, calling out to Caelus with words of gratitude and admiration. The chorus of voices swelled around him, and Caelus could feel his cheeks burn red with embarrassment, the heat rising beneath the cold air. He wasn't used to this—being at the center of it all, the sudden hero of Yakarich.

"Just… don't set me up with any of your kids, alright?"

---

Yakarich was alive in a way Caelus had never seen before. The normally quiet village had transformed into a bustling hub of excitement as the festival began in earnest.

Every soul, young and old, had gathered in the heart of town, filling the streets with a riot of color and sound. Children darted between the legs of the adults, their laughter mixing with the sounds of music that echoed through the square. Vendors lined the streets, their carts brimming with handmade trinkets, warm breads, and fragrant roasted meats, while villagers danced in the open space, their feet moving in time with the lively rhythm of the festival drums.

For his part, Caelus sat at the edge of the crowd, content to nurse a pint of spirits that had been practically forced into his hand by some of his new fans. The drink was strong, its warmth spreading through him as he took tentative sips, grateful for the brief respite from the constant attention. But even here, tucked away from the center of the festivities, he couldn't go two minutes without someone running up—whether it was an elder offering their heartfelt thanks or a wide-eyed child demanding to hear how it all went down.

Not like he could blame them. After all, Mikhail—the village chief—had effectively ensured he'd never be able to fade from memory.

With the Chief at the head of a procession of hunters and guards, every villager bore witness to them carrying the remains of Grim Fang. The once fearsome beast's massive pelt was draped over their shoulders, the muzzle alone being as large as a full-grown man, its fur scorched from Caelus's lance. Against his own wishes, Caelus had been given the "honor" of hauling the beast's massive, burned paw into town with the others.

The weight of it had been no small feat, and the crowd had gasped as he carried it, murmuring excitedly at the sight of the infamous creature now reduced to a mere trophy. Some of the elders had even fainted, overwhelmed by the sight of the legendary wolf finally vanquished.

"For those who have lived to see this day, engrave it into your hearts," Mikhail had begun, his voice booming with pride and passion as he addressed the crowd gathered in the town square. "Not since the time of our Guardian have we been privileged to bear witness to such an occasion. Today, my people, we have been blessed with the spirit of Alisa Rand in the form of this outsider."

The crowd hung on his every word, eyes wide with admiration and awe. Caelus, however, had felt the heat rising in his cheeks as he tried to shrink into the background, unsuccessfully.

"But from this day forth," Mikhail continued, his voice ringing with authority, "he will no longer be known simply as 'the outsider.' It is our custom to bestow upon him one that suits him and from this day onward, by my name as Mikhail, Chieftain of Yakarich, I dub this young man, Caelus, with the title of Fang Bane!"

At that, the square had erupted into wild applause, cheers filling the air as the villagers celebrated their newly christened hero. The loudest voices had come from the children, their shrill cries of excitement cutting through the din, but even the older villagers had clapped and cheered, their eyes glistening with emotion. And of course, quite a few girls had even called out – or rather shrieked Caelus's name, and he'd flushed red at the attention, wishing more than ever that he could disappear into the crowd.

"And now," Mikhail had declared with a wide smile, "it is with the greatest pleasure that I announce the beginning of this year's Lyod Festival!"

The celebration had exploded from there, the festival truly kicking into high gear as people flooded the streets with laughter and joy. Dancers spun in circles, their movements graceful and wild beneath the glow of lanterns strung high above the square. The scent of roasted meats and spiced ale hung thick in the air, and the flicker of bonfires cast long shadows that danced with the villagers. Snowfall, light and delicate, drifted down around them, settling on rooftops and cobblestone streets like a scene out of a dream.

Caelus leaned back, letting the sounds of the festival wash over him. The thrum of life pulsed through Yakarich, and for the first time, the village felt like more than just a temporary stop for him. It felt… like home. Yet, as much as he tried to sit back and enjoy the moment, the constant praise and looks of admiration kept finding him.

"Fang Bane! Fang Bane!" a group of children called out as they ran past, making him groan softly into his drink. He couldn't even drink in peace without his new title ringing through the air.

As Caelus glanced around the festival, his eyes caught Borini weaving through the crowd. His friend approached with an exaggerated grin, eyes glinting with amusement as he took in Caelus's sheepish expression. "And here I thought you liked attention," Borini teased, clapping a hand on Caelus's shoulder. "Hero of the village, slayer of Grim Fang, and a new name to boot. 'Fang Bane.'

Caelus rolled his eyes, taking another sip of his drink. "Is it too much to hope for that to die out?"

Borini chortled. "Not a chance. They'll be telling stories about you long after we're gone." He gestured to the square, where the villagers continued to dance and sing. "The way these people see it, you're a legend now. But I don't intend to let you hog all the glory now - and I'll start with those two lovelies over yonder."

Caelus looked and sure enough, there were two young women standing just across from them... and they were looking right at Borini for once.

"Better you than me," Caelus muttered.

"Ah, you say that now but I'm sure you'll get your turn before the night ends. Now, if you'll excuse me, Fang Bane."

Caelus only glared at the man as he rushed off, swearing to get his revenge in some way later on.

Among the vibrant sea of villagers, Caelus spotted a few familiar faces. Alek, Nevski, and the rest of the hunters were gathered by a long table, their laughter booming as they stuffed their faces with food and drink. Even stone-faced Abram was showing a rare smile. The sight of them in such high spirits brought a faint smile to Caelus's lips. They looked almost unrecognizable without weapons in hand, their bellies full instead of their nerves on edge.

Not far from them, Talia stood with her father, talking animatedly beside a beautiful woman Caelus assumed must be her mother. Their easy conversation was joined by none other than Mikhail himself, who looked especially regal with his thick furs draped over his broad shoulders. Beside him was a woman equally as striking—his wife, no doubt—and their son, Andrei, who was sneaking looks at the little girl.

Caelus inwardly chuckled, recalling how the boy had failed to mention that his family was essentially village royalty. He had already apologized profusely to Mikhail for treating Andrei like any other kid, but the chief had only laughed, appreciating the fact that Caelus hadn't given his son any special treatment.

His gaze drifted again, this time landing on Lev, who walked with Iyanka, the two of them laughing about something. Lev's booming laughter was a constant in the village, but Caelus's stomach tightened when Iyanka caught his eye, her smile fading before turning away sharply.

Caelus winced.

She was still angry with him—and he couldn't blame her. The memory of her fury was still fresh, her voice filled with hurt as she learned he had left the village without saying goodbye. Though Lev had kept his secret, Iyanka wasn't blind. She had stormed up to him the moment she found out, her eyes blazing with a fire that he hadn't expected from the woman. Then she slapped right across the face, in front of the entire village to boot. The sting of the slap had long since faded quickly, but the weight of her disappointment lingered far longer.

I'll have to talk to her after I get back from the hunt tomorrow, he thought.

Borini had twisted his arm into staying at least one more night, citing that the mountain paths were treacherous at night. Abram had quickly jumped in on the idea, all but ordering Caelus to join him and the others on one last hunt, to make sure that the blisterfangs had truly fled.

Caelus sighed, staring into the festive night with a weary smile. He had only meant to stay in Yakarich long enough to get his bearings, but the warmth of the people and the village had kept him there far longer than he'd intended. What was supposed to be just a few days had stretched into weeks, and now... had it been a month already? He couldn't even begin to imagine how March, Dan Heng, and the others were feeling right now.

I'm definitely a dead man when I get back, he thought morbidly, imagining March's dramatic outburst at his disappearance. I'll be lucky if I'm not put on kitchen duty for the rest of my life. The thought made him shudder.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed two familiar faces approaching—Magna, practically shoving a very reluctant Tobias in his direction. The guard was protesting with every step, but they were too far away for Caelus to make out their conversation. That is, until Magna grabbed Tobias by the ear, twisting it as if he were a misbehaving child. She flashed a sweet smile in Caelus's direction, her tone deceptively cheerful.

"Caelus! Or should I be calling you Fang Bane now?" she teased.

Caelus groaned, palming his face in exasperation. "Please don't start with that too."

Ever since his return to the village, Mikhail had insisted on bestowing him with the title "Fang Bane," a name that had stuck faster than Caelus cared to admit. It had taken every ounce of willpower not to visibly cringe each time someone called him that. Now, everywhere he went, he was greeted with reverence, and while he appreciated the sentiment, the title made his skin crawl.

Magna chuckled, clearly enjoying his discomfort. "I admit, it's a bit on the nose, but it's the best the chief could come up with." She gave a sympathetic shrug before pulling Tobias forward, still holding his ear in a firm grip. "Anyway, I believe this fool has something to say to you."

Caelus raised a skeptical eyebrow, glancing at Tobias, who was squirming under Magna's iron grip. "Really?" he drawled, amusement creeping into his voice. "And I take it he's doing this of his own free will? No arm twisting?"

"Of course!" Magna chirped, her grip on Tobias's ear tightening despite the guard's protests.

"Agna, let me go already! My ear's about to fall off, I swear!" Tobias whined, his face scrunched in discomfort as he tried to free himself.

Despite everything Tobias had put him through, Caelus couldn't help but take pity on the guy. "I believe him, Magna. I don't think we need to worry about him running off, right?"

Admittedly, there was a small part of him that enjoyed seeing Tobias sweat. But it was harmless—really.

Magna shot both of them a withering glare before finally releasing Tobias, but not before practically shoving him into the empty seat next to Caelus. Tobias landed with a graceless thud, rubbing his ear while muttering under his breath.

"I'm going to fetch some goodies from home," Magna said with mock sweetness, her stern eyes locking onto Tobias. She leaned in close, pointing a finger directly at his face, her tone dropping into something far more threatening. "You," she said, watching his eyes cross as they focused on her finger, "talk. And if you two aren't the best of friends by the time I get back, you'll wish Grim Fang had taken your head off. Got it?"

Tobias nodded frantically, as if his life depended on it—and for all Caelus knew, it probably did. Magna's glare flipped into a bright, beaming smile as she spun on her heel and skipped off, as if she hadn't just threatened bodily harm to a man twice her size.

"…So, was you shoving her the other night just a drunken fluke?" Caelus blurted.

Tobias shot him a dark look. "That's none of your business."

"It is when she's my friend," Caelus returned, his voice sharpening. "And just a friend, by the way, so you can simmer down whatever delusions you've been cooking up."

Tobias's glare deepened. "Right, and I'm sure you just happened to be in the right place when you saved her like that."

"And you," Caelus added, eyes narrowing. "Twice, if you're keeping count. You're welcome, by the way."

Their gazes locked, amber meeting coal, the tension between them crackling in the air like static. Caelus held firm, refusing to let Tobias cow him after everything he'd put him through. For a long, heated moment, neither man gave an inch, until Tobias finally clucked his tongue and looked away, glaring at the ground.

"If you're expecting me to bare my soul to you, keep dreaming," Tobias muttered, his voice dripping with bitterness.

"Fine by me. I've already got a good idea what it's like," Caelus retorted.

Tobias shot a wild-eyed look at him, not expecting that response. He scoffed, rolling his eyes. "She told you, didn't she? Look, I don't want your pity. I'm not some kid who needs coddling."

"True. A kid at least knows when to run when they're scared. You? You're just too proud to admit it when you screw up."

Tobias's eyes flared, and he leaned forward, teeth gritted. "Listen, you—"

Before he could continue, Caelus gripped his shoulder, not hard, but firm enough to get his point across. Tobias winced, jerking away and clutching his arm, pain flashing briefly across his face.

"Whether you admit it or not, you've got limits, just like the rest of us. Neither of us is invincible, Tobias. Not that you care, but Borini's the only reason I'm sitting here right now. I'd have been dead out there fighting that pack, Pathstrider or not." Caelus's voice dropped, a grim note edging his words.

Even with the Stellaron, I could've ended up in a coma, or worse, dragged off by something worse than wolves.

A silence settled over them, the distant hum of the festival filling the gap. Caelus expected Tobias to sit in stubborn silence, maybe brood some more, but instead, the man's next words nearly made him choke on his drink.

"Thanks for saving her the other day," Tobias mumbled, his voice barely audible over the noise around them.

Caelus blinked, taking a moment to recover from the shock. "…I think those guys put something in my drink. I'm hearing things now."

"I swear to the Guardians, I will throw you into that snowbank, Outsider."

Caelus chuckled, admiring the sour look Tobias gave him. "There he is."

"…So?" Tobias hesitated, glancing at Caelus before adding, "Agna—are you really not into her?"

Caelus considered laughing outright, but it was the first genuine question Tobias had asked. "I'm not interested in her, Tobias. Promise."

Tobias visibly relaxed, letting out a relieved chuckle. "That's good… really good actually."

Caelus smirked. "Don't worry, Casanova, I won't cramp your style. Besides, getting involved with someone is the furthest thing from my mind right now."

Tobias tilted his head, curiosity flashing in his eyes. "You mean there's no one waiting for you back home?"

Caelus sighed, feeling the weight of the question. "There's no one," he replied, the same answer he'd given too many times already. But as if on cue, an image of Cocolia flickered in his mind, leaving him unsettled.

Why am I still thinking about her?

"Well," Tobias said, crossing his arms with a nod, "I guess I won't have to kill you after all."

Caelus raised an eyebrow, dubious. "You really think you can say that after everything?"

Tobias turned to him, his expression suddenly serious—more serious than Caelus had ever seen him. "If you hurt her… yeah, even if it killed me."

There was no hesitation in Tobias's voice, no anger or bravado. Just the cold truth, and Caelus felt a bead of sweat roll down his neck. Tobias wasn't a threat to him, not really, but that look in his eyes—that was intent.

"Good thing then," Caelus muttered, taking a long swig of his drink to calm his nerves. He ended up coughing as the liquor burned his throat, causing Tobias to chortle.

"Not much of a drinker, are ya?" Tobias teased, jabbing him with an elbow.

"Not like you," Caelus shot back, before he could stop himself. "Ok, that just came out. Sorry."

Tobias went quiet, the grin fading from his face. "It's fine… Agna's been trying to get me to stop for years. Not an easy habit to kick. But maybe… for her sake, I could try."

"Trying's a myth. You either do something, or you don't."

Tobias turned back with a raised an eyebrow. "Huh… makes a sort of weird sense. Where'd you hear that?"

Caelus smiled faintly, gripping his drink until his knuckles turned white. "From a good friend. I miss her… I miss all of them."

"And you think you'll find a way back by going to the capital?"

Caelus's head snapped up, shocked. "How did you—Borini…?"

"Borini."

Caelus groaned, casting a dark glance toward where Borini was laughing with the girls. I'm going to strangle that loudmouth before I leave.

"I don't have any other leads," Caelus admitted. "Someone in Belobog has to know something."

Tobias nodded thoughtfully. "If I hadn't seen what you could do myself, I'd say you wouldn't make it a hundred clicks from here. But now? I'd give you seventy."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, really," Caelus deadpanned. But beneath his sarcasm, he recognized the support, however grudgingly given. It was progress, at least.

"CAELUS…!"

The trailblazer choked on his drink, spluttering as he looked up just in time to see a group of girls rushing toward him. Tobias, seated next to him, nearly leapt out of his chair, his eyes wide in disbelief as if the approaching procession had fangs.

"Uh… yes?" Caelus managed, still half-coughing.

"DANCE WITH ME!" chorused the girls, each voice overlapping the other. Immediately, they turned, shooting daggers at one another.

"Dance? Me? I don't even know how to—"

"You'll just have to follow my lead, then." Magna's voice cut through the chaos, the girls parting like a tide as she strode confidently forward, her hand gripping a basket covered with a cloth. She didn't wait for a response, simply grabbed Caelus by the hand with a bright smile and pulled him to his fee, whilst tossing the basket to Tobias.

"HEY, hold on, Magna!" one of the girls cried, stepping forward. "You've been hogging him lately. It's my turn!"

"No, it's mine!" another chimed in.

"No mine!"

"MINE!"

The squabbling rose into a cacophony, voices overlapping in a competitive tangle, as if Caelus were some grand prize they were fighting over. Magna took the chance and tugged him through the crowd, heading for the roaring bonfire.

"Agna!" Tobias called out sharply. Magna stopped, turning to glare at her childhood friend, bracing for an argument. Tobias looked ready to give her one, but after a moment, he relented with a sigh reaching for one of the pastries. "Just don't trip over him this time, alright?"

Caelus blinked, confused by the phrasing, but Magna flushed scarlet, her usual composure cracking.

"S-SHUT UP, TOBY!" she snapped, half-growling before grabbing Caelus's arm again. "Come on!"

The bonfire ahead roared in the center of the village square, casting long flickering shadows around the clearing. Couples danced in uneven circles, feet stamping in rhythm with the drums. Caelus felt his stomach twist in knots.

"I'm serious—I really don't know how to dance," he murmured, his voice low as they approached the flames.

Magna, still holding his hand, stepped in front of him. "Then you're fortunate to know me," she said, her arm outstretched, slipping her hand across his. "Just follow my lead, Fang Bane."

Caelus squinted at her through the firelight. "You sure I'm not gonna step on your toes?"

Magna grinned, but it wasn't her usual teasing smile. "That's the least of my worries – and yours." Her eyes darted behind him, and her smile deepened, almost predatory.

Curious, Caelus glanced over his shoulder and paled. The group of girls hadn't left—they were standing nearby, arms crossed, glaring at him as if sizing him up for a fight, or rather Magna. Each stare sent a shiver down his spine, their combined intensity enough to make even the bravest adventurer think twice.

"Is it too late to back out?" he asked, his voice barely a whimper.

Magna leaned in close, her breath warm against his ear. "Sorry, Caelus. The first dance is mine." Her fingers slid up his collar, pulling him flush against her. "The others will just have to wait their turn. By the time I'm done with you, you'll be sweeping them off their feet."

"And what if I don't want that?"

Her smile took on a dangerous edge, her fingertips brushing lightly under his chin, sending a surge of warmth to his cheeks. "A little free advice," she whispered, her voice soft but commanding. "A lady's needs always come first, Caelus."

---

The dance, as it turned out, wasn't nearly as difficult as Caelus had feared. Magna, to his relief, was surprisingly patient, guiding him step by step, her feet matching his hesitations with practiced ease. She smiled up at him, coaxing his movements, and before long, the rhythm of the music had settled into his bones. It felt less like a task and more like something he could lose himself in.

As the night wore on and his dance with Magna ended, the real chaos began. He was passed from partner to partner, each girl eager for her turn, though they never let up their squabbling over him. Yet, through the swirl of laughter, music, and clashing personalities, Caelus found himself gravitating back to Magna for one last dance. She welcomed him with a grin, clearly pleased, and their steps fell into place as naturally as before. Around them, other couples joined in—Lev and Iyanka, Talia's parents, Abram and his wife, even the village Chieftains themselves.

The night had turned into something magical, filled with warmth despite the chill of the air and the frost beneath their feet. The firelight danced on smiling faces, and for a while, Caelus forgot about everything else. Even with the girls fighting over him, the evening had been one to remember. He'd even managed to patch things up with Iyanka, after she dressed him down in front of the whole village again that is. But the hug was warm at least.

"Oi, quit daydreaming, lad," Abram's voice snapped him out of his thoughts as they trudged through the snow-covered woods.

"Ah, lay off him, Abram!" Alek laughed, clapping Caelus on the back, nearly sending him stumbling. "The lad's got every right to be a little out of it! Imagine—dancing amidst the starlight with all our finest beauties and having them fight over him like a trophy. AGH! You're so lucky!"

"You do realize one of those girls is my daughter, right?" one of the hunters interjected dryly, his voice low with a subtle threat as he fingered the trigger of his rifle.

Alek stiffened immediately, his bravado fading into awkward laughter. "Well, you know… haha, just joking, of course," Alek mumbled, fumbling for an excuse that Caelus easily tuned out.

Trying to distract himself from the banter, Caelus squinted into the distance. "Do you think there'll be any game left to hunt after all that noise? The fighting might've scared them off."

Abram grunted, brushing aside snow-laden branches as they continued deeper into the woods. "Game doesn't move on that easily from this area. There are few places left as lush as this, especially this far north. And those that are... well, they're crawling with predators worse than blisterfangs."

Caelus felt a shiver crawl down his spine. "Worse than blisterfangs...?"

Alek, ever eager to educate, chimed in. "Oh yeah, like bligers, snowblind ursas, and there's even rumors of whiteout nests up near Kandor Valley. Bligers? Nasty, oversized cats with a mean streak. The ursas—big bears—aren't so bad if you avoid their territory. But whiteouts? Let's just say… you don't want to run into one of those."

"With any luck, you won't," Abram added, his tone darker, more serious than usual. "Even the Guard doesn't mess with a whiteout without bringing a grizzly along, let alone a whole nest."

Caelus blinked, a cold pit forming in his stomach. The Guard was legendary for its prowess, so the idea that even they avoided certain creatures was a sobering thought. "I'll… keep that in mind," he muttered, the weight of this new world settling on him once again. Everything here felt more dangerous, more primal, than anything he'd known before.

"There, up ahead," one of the hunters whispered, pointing toward a clearing. Caelus spotted the elk—its sleek form standing alone, framed by the frosted trees. It was eerily similar to where he'd seen the first one.

"I got this one, boss," Alek volunteered, raising his rifle with an exaggerated flourish. Abram nodded, motioning for Alek to take point.

Before lining up his shot, Alek glanced back at Caelus with a smirk. "Heard about your little rifle debacle earlier. Watch and learn, yeah? This is how a pro does it."

Abram, for once, cracked a rare smile. "And which pro taught you to shoot, I wonder?"

Alek flushed slightly, muttering under his breath as he crouched into position.

Caelus just let the interplay wash over him, his mind drifting back to his dream the night before. This one was thankfully without any screaming or insane celestial tumors screeching at him, but it still left him on edge. Because the very beast he had ended up killing had appeared there, not hostile but not friendly either. It hadn't tried to attack him, instead turning toward something glowing in the distance, the dream ending before he could get a chance to see it.

And ever since then he had the most awful feeling in his gut.

"Has anyone else noticed how quiet it is?" one of the hunters muttered, his voice barely cutting through the eerie stillness.

Caelus tensed, his senses prickling. The silence felt wrong—oppressive, like the world itself was holding its breath.

"Usually, there's at least a few birds chirping," the hunter continued. "But now... nothing. Dead silent except for us."

"Birds aren't elk, Nevski," another scoffed. "They spook easy. Give it a few weeks, they'll be back like nothing happened. If the Freeze hasn't done them in, nothing else will. Except maybe us."

Caelus barely registered the words, his gut knotting tighter. His instincts screamed at him, the same gut feeling he'd had before things went to hell.

"Abram...?" he called quietly, glancing toward the seasoned hunter at the front of their group.

Abram lifted a hand, cutting him off—silence. The chatter faded to nothing.

"Alek, hurry and take the shot," Abram ordered, his voice a low growl.

Alek adjusted his grip on the rifle, muttering under his breath, "Right then, not your lucky day, friend." He curled his finger around the trigger.

BANG!

The shot rang out, impossibly loud against the quiet, echoing through the forest. Caelus flinched, covering his ears instinctively.

"Shit!" Alek cursed.

"What happened? Did you miss?" Nevski demanded, eyes darting around.

"No, it bolted! Something spooked it!" Alek's voice wavered, uncharacteristically uncertain.

Caelus's unease churned into a full-blown panic. "Abram, we should—"

A sudden shift in the air—a flicker of movement from above—snapped his attention upward. His body reacted on instinct. In a flash of light, his weapon appeared in his hands, deflecting the attack—a vicious, slicing arrow of wind—that would have torn through Alek and Abram.

"THE HELL?!" Alek scrambled to his feet, eyes wide with shock. "Where did that—?"

"UP THERE!" someone shouted.

Caelus's blood froze. Perched on a cliff edge, high above them, was a stormbringer—its bow drawn, another deadly arrow already notched.

"No..." Caelus breathed, horror sinking in as his pulse thundered in his ears.

"CORRODED!" Nevski screamed, lifting his rifle and firing wildly at the monster.

"Everyone up! Move! Back to the village, GO!" Abram barked, his voice like a crack of thunder as he grabbed Caelus by the shoulder, shaking him back into focus. "YOU TOO, LAD! MOVE!"

The forest erupted into chaos. Arrows of wind sliced through the air, severing tree trunks, sending splinters flying as the group sprinted down the path. A tree crashed behind them, barely missing their retreating forms. They dodged and weaved, their breath coming in ragged gasps, feet slipping in the snow.

Abram led them behind a cluster of rocks, giving them a brief moment of cover. "Someone get word to the village! Let them know we've got an incursion!" he barked, his voice barely steady under the mounting pressure.

"I-I'm on it!" one of the hunters stammered, fumbling with his phone, his fingers trembling.

Before he could send the message, a frozen pike erupted from his chest. His body jerked violently before slumping, lifeless. The shadewalker that impaled him yanked its weapon free with a hiss, tossing the corpse aside like a rag doll.

"PASHA!" Nevski's scream was one of pure horror, his rifle shaking as he opened fire on the beast.

Caelus didn't hesitate. He charged, his bat materializing in his hands as he swung at the shadewalker. The creature hissed, recoiling, its pale eyes gleaming in the moonlight.

"Caelus, MOVE!"

He ducked just in time as a volley of bullets from Alek and the other hunters tore the creature to shreds. Its body dissolved into dark mist, leaving only the icy sting of death in its wake.

"It's dead," Alek breathed, panting. "It's…. FUCK! The Corroded have never gotten this close to the village before! Why now?!"

Caelus's mind whirled, his thoughts dragging him back to that first night he'd stumbled into Yakarich. The Fragmentum had ambushed him then, too—relentless, brutal, until they suddenly backed off. Something had scared them away. He hadn't questioned it then, too exhausted and battered to care. But now, faced with the same creatures once more, something clicked.

This is my fault.

"There's more! Coming out of the trees!" another hunter cried, his voice shaking with terror.

Caelus snapped back to reality. A fresh wave of shadewalkers descended on them, slithering through the treeline like shadows. Another arrow of wind screeched overhead, skewering a tree trunk and splitting it in half.

Caelus tightened his grip on his bat and threw a glance at Abram, who stood tall, weapon ready. "Nevski!" Abram barked. "Run to the village. Let them know what's coming. We'll hold them off."

"But boss—!"

"NOW!" Abram's voice cracked like a whip, and Nevski, pale-faced, stumbled before sprinting off into the woods.

"We hold this line!" Abram shouted to the remaining men. "Anyone with a rifle, find cover! Pick your shots carefully. And watch your fire."

Caelus fell into formation, standing shoulder to shoulder with the hunters. They weren't trained for this kind of fight, but he'd fought the Fragmentum before. If they had any chance of getting out of this, he couldn't hold back.

The first volley of gunfire rang out, Alek and the other shooters tearing into the front wave of shadewalkers. Caelus and the hunters pounced on the wounded, hacking and slashing before preparing for the next push.

"Don't give them an inch!" Abram bellowed, ripping his pike from the vanishing body of a shadewalker. "Not an inch!"

But before the first wave could hit, something streaked from the trees—too fast to track. In an instant, a ball of frozen energy crashed into Alek and the other shooters, shattering into a jagged wave of ice. Caelus's heart stopped.

"ALEK…!"

The creature that had attacked—a gnarled, ice-covered monstrosity—descended from the ridge, its frosty breath clouding the air. It floated down to them, frost creeping outward from its feet.

An ice-out-of-space.

"BASTARD!" Abram roared, charging the creature with a fury, only to be swatted aside like a fly. He slammed into the rock wall, coughing blood, his body crumpling to the ground.

"Abram-!" Caelus rushed toward him, but something struck him from behind, hard, and the world tilted as he was sent careening into the rocks. The ground rushed up to meet him, and darkness swallowed him whole.

---

It was the smell—a pungent, metallic tang that clung to the air, sharp and dry – that made him come to, his nostrils flaring. Then came the pain, a blinding wave that crashed over him, disorienting and relentless.

His vision swam, darkness flickering at the edges of his sight like a gathering storm. He coughed, the sound harsh and wet, his hand instinctively reaching up to his head. When he pulled it away, his fingers were slick with something warm.

Blood. His blood.

Everything came rushing back – the hunt, the Fragmentum ambush-

"The others… Abram!" Caelus rasped, his voice hoarse and weak. He tried to push himself up, but nausea hit him like a punch to the gut, sending him flopping back to the ground. He lay there for a moment, struggling to steady his breath.

The world tilted violently, and when his gaze finally focused, he spotted a motionless form a few feet away.

"Abram—!"

Desperation surged through him. He began crawling, his limbs heavy and uncooperative, dragging his body through the dirt. Each inch felt like an eternity. His muscles screamed in protest, but he forced himself forward, one agonizing movement at a time. The cold ground bit into his palms as he pulled himself closer, his heart thudding in his chest like a war drum.

"Abram… Abram come on, we have to go!" Caelus muttered, his voice rising in panic as he shook the man's unresponsive form. He gritted his teeth, gathering every ounce of strength he had left to roll Abram onto his back.

Lifeless eyes stared back at him.

Caelus recoiled as though struck, his breath escaping in a sharp, strangled gasp. "No… no, no, no…" He scrambled backward, his heart hammering against his ribs as the reality of it hit him like a physical blow.

The man was dead. One of the few people who had treated him as an equal—no judgment, no suspicion—just camaraderie and trust. And now, that man was gone.

His chest tightened painfully.

His family would be devastated…

"Family…"

The word hung in the air, barely a whisper, as Caelus turned his head toward the village. In the distance, faint glimmers of light twinkled against the dark horizon—the festival. The village was still safe, likely oblivious to the horror that had unfolded here. For a moment, relief flickered inside him, but it was quickly doused by the weight of Abram's body beside him.

There was nothing he could do for the others, but he could at least bring one of them home.

"I'm not leaving you here," Caelus swore, his voice thick with grief and determination. He pushed himself to his feet, his legs trembling beneath him as the world swayed. He braced himself, taking slow, deep breaths until the dizziness subsided enough to move. With painstaking effort, he hauled Abram's body over his shoulder. The weight was staggering, nearly sending him back to the ground, but he grit his teeth and locked his knees, refusing to give in.

The journey back was agonizing. Every step sent jolts of pain through his body, his muscles burning, his balance precarious. The forest seemed to close in around him, its shadows long and unfriendly.

The village lights beckoned in the distance, but it felt like they would never get closer. Every inch of his body screamed for rest, but Caelus refused to give up. Abram's weight dragged at him, each step harder than the last, but he pressed on, his boots sinking into the snow as he trudged through the dark forest, slow but steady.

Caelus's hand trembled as he reached into his pocket, fingers brushing against the cold surface of his phone. But to his horror, the screen wouldn't come on.

He tapped at it, but nothing.

"DAMN IT! Not now!"

Giving a few more futile tries, Caelus shoved his phone back in his pocket with a snarl, hoisting Abram's corpse over his shoulders.

Caelus forced down the sickening knot crawling up his throat, his hand trembling as he shoved the phone back into his pocket. "Gotta… get back," he muttered under his breath, like a plea. His legs felt like lead, each step dragging him through the thick forest, the weight of his body heavier with every stride.

The village. He had to make it back. Whatever was happening now, he'd make sense of it when he got back.

Time slipped away, a blur of shadow and aching limbs, until—finally—the treeline began to thin. The golden light beyond seared his eyes, too bright, too vivid. A moment of hope flared in his chest. But as he stumbled through the last of the trees, his foot caught on a root, sending him sprawling to the ground, Abram's body falling heavily beside him.

Pain shot through him as he hit the dirt, groaning in agony. Caelus forced himself to look up, towards the source of the light—and what he saw wrenched the breath from his chest.

The village of Yakarich, his refuge for weeks, was ablaze. Not a single building stood untouched, every thatched roof swallowed by ravenous flames that licked the sky, turning the heavens into a smoldering hellscape. The fire was so fierce it seemed to be burning the very stars.

For a moment, Caelus lay there, staring in disbelief.

This isn't real…

The heat radiated towards him, the acrid stench of burning wood and charred flesh filled his lungs. His heart slammed against his ribs, the deafening thrum of his pulse filling his ears.

It's not real. It can't be!

He didn't know where the strength came from, but somehow he dragged himself to his feet. His muscles screamed in protest, but his resolve burned hotter than the flames around him. He had to get to the village. Abram was lost, the hunters were gone, but if there was even a sliver of hope—Borini, Magna, Lev, Iyanka, even the kids—he could still save someone.

The thought of their faces flashed before his eyes, igniting a spark deep within him. With a pained grunt, he summoned his lance, the weight of it familiar, grounding him. The heat from the village blasted against him as he stumbled forward, breaking into a staggering jog.

"It's not too late… It's not too late," he whispered feverishly, the words becoming a mantra as he pushed deeper into the burning ruins. His eyes stung with ash, the smoke thick and suffocating, but he pressed on, heart hammering in his chest.

The streets were now a twisted vision of hell. Shadewalkers crawled through the wreckage, their warped, glowing forms prowling amidst the burning rubble. Fragmentum creatures of all shapes and sizes milled about, thoughtlessly trampling over the remains of this place's inhabitants.

The bodies. The mangled, bloodied bodies of the villagers were strewn like broken dolls across the ground, their lives mercilessly snuffed out by a force they couldn't begin to understand.

There had been no discrimination. The old… the young… All of them gutted without a care.

One of the shadewalkers stomped onto the body of a young woman, giving a hiss before kicking it to the side.

Caelus's vision dyed red. A primal scream tore from his throat, so guttural it didn't sound human. His lance erupted in flames, the fire swirling around him in a furious cyclone that dwarfed the inferno engulfing the village.

The creatures turned, alerted by his roar, their soulless eyes locking onto him. They would swarm him in seconds.

But that was just fine with Caelus. Rage consumed him, blinding and absolute.

Even the stellaron within him thrummed with hatred towards these abominations.

They had slaughtered these people, ravaged this safe haven.

Now, he would slaughter them.

---

And scene.

I told you this fic was going to be dark didn't I? This story is rated M for a reason, profanity notwithstanding.

So yeah, at the risk of sounding like a certain masked operator: choices have consequences. Killing what was essentially the unofficial guardian of Yakarich doomed everyone at that village, and it's something that will wear on Caelus going forward and influence his motives a bit.

As for what happens now? Well, I'll just say this: Jarilo-VI is completely entombed in ice and the secrets Lynx mentioned in the beginning? She's more accurate than she'll ever realize. This world - or at least my take on it - holds many secrets, equal parts majestic and horrific as you will all see.

Also, mini rant: I just want to say how stupid the names for the out-of-space monsters are. Hoyo has got a generally clever, quirky name for their mobs but these guys? They've got the derpiest names for some of the most fearsome looking mobs - initially speaking anyways. Who's idea was it to name them something like this?

Now then, a bit of bad news for fans of this story: it will be taking a mini-hiatus till the end of the year. The folks on the Sekirei discord have been badgering me for an update to Whipped and I intend to deliver. The plan is one chapter but it may turn into something else if I actually get the muse to cooperate. However, if it comes to that, I'll just end up switching off between the two - update one story then the other one and so on.

As for the word count... I'm hoping to keep future chapters 10K+ words going forward, since this one turned out to be roughly the same as the previous one. Here's hoping that trend stays for not just this story, but any future projects I have.

That's all I got. If you've made it this far, congratulations - we've passed the "Prologue" portion of the story. Stay tuned for what atrocities I put Caelus through next. And rest assured: we'll get to Cocolia eventually. But first we need to prepare Caelus for that encounter, asllwe take several other characters' roles into account.

till then,

Take care, gobble gobble, and Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays! (AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!)