Chapter 53
Calm Before The Storm
The near-silent hum of the natural treasure was a constant white noise, thrumming from the hidden grotto like a distant warning.
It marked the final moments before contact, a reminder that the fragile peace was about to shatter.
The sun was falling behind the last of the distant mountain peaks, sky painted in fading oranges and purples.
The jagged granite teeth ringing their new home were casting long, grasping shadows across the rocky ground.
The air grew colder by the minute, carrying the sharp bite of mountain wind that whipped through the cracks in the cliff wall, tugging at clothes and raising goosebumps on exposed skin.
"So?" Dan grunted with his usual eloquence, wiping sweat from his brow as he hauled another large stone into place, muscles straining from the weight.
Jimmy, perched on the highest granite boulder like a sentinel, squinted through his glasses into the fading light.
His Qi-sight flickered, tracing the distant movement with growing unease.
"They are moving," he said quietly.
"Three, maybe four swift silhouettes. They will be here soon—it is hard to tell."
Frustration crept in as he shook his head.
“They stop then seem to almost reappear closer.. Like they are phasing in and out..”
Concerning.
Dan didn't waste time.
The stone he was holding dropped with a resounding thud that echoed around the bowl.
Positions were assigned in a low but firm voice.
"I’m in front, right on the trail bottleneck. Annette, stay by the cave mouth, and keep an eye on everyone. Use your stability however you can—keep us centered."
She nodded seriously, face pale but determined, gripping her throwing stick tighter.
The gravity of it all showed in her eyes.
"Dad, Chris—cover the flanks. Make sure we don't get swarmed.."
“I got ya, Son,” George rumbled, already moving to a pile of sharpened stakes, spear in hand.
Steps steady despite his aching back.
"Maybe I should hold the center, and you can cover my back?" Chris puffed up his chest, folding his corded arms.
"I am, pound for pound, the strongest guy out here. So I'm not going to sit here and—"
"Chris, shut up, please?" Dan rubbed his face, muffling his response through his palms.
“...Yeah, okay, I’ll let you cover it this time,” Chris muttered, deflating with a dramatic sigh.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
Grabbing some rocks and moving to his spot, grumbling with a smirk.
Universe, please help me.
“Anyways, Kim—watch my back in the center. If things get hot, cool it off.”
Kim answered through choking laughter, eyes watering as she tried to hold it in.
“Yeah, no problem, pft—” She wiped a tear, still giggling.
“Jaime and Belle—you two on the highest rock with Jimmy. Chuck everything at anything that moves. Rocks, sticks, whatever.”
“What about you? What if you move?” Belle asked sweetly, clutching a handful of throwing stones, her voice small but steady.
“Dan doesn't move,” Chris chimed in, placing another stone, smirk turning to a grin.
“Alright, everybody get to work, damnit.” Dan grabbed a rather large rock, glaring at his brother one last time before heaving it into place.
They worked tirelessly.
No one spoke much—adrenaline sharpened focus, drowning out the hum and the wind.
The depth of night started to settle in, stars twinkling, moon hovering overhead.
Kim knelt by the trail's edge, hands pressed to the loose scree and dirt.
She softened the ground with a subtle twist of Qi manipulation, turning it muddy and pliable. They drove in sharpened stakes quickly, anchoring the makeshift barricade.
She then pulled the moisture out, and the earth hardened like cement around their bases—solid, unyielding.
Everyone else hauled and stacked rocks, filling gaps in the natural granite teeth.
Sweat stung eyes, muscles burned from the day's labor, but no one complained.
George grunted with each heavy lift, his age showing in the strain, but his swings were steady.
Annette helped steady the taller piles, her stability affinity keeping things from toppling, giving them time to cement them in place.
Belle and Jaime lugged smaller stones up to their perch, faces hard and determined.
Luna paced restlessly, ears flat, a low growl rumbling in her throat as she sensed the approaching threat.
As the air grew colder and the wind picked up, whipping dust into small spirals, Jimmy pointed sharply from his vantage.
"Movement."
The worgs moved with chilling, smooth grace—massive forms barely visible in heavy gloom, blending with the deep shadows like living nightmares.
Their paws made no sound on the rock, but Jimmy's sight caught the faint distortions around them, twisted and hungry.
Jaime and Belle tensed up, throwing sticks shaking, focused entirely on the kill zone below. Their breathing came in quick bursts, but they held position.
Four shapes hit the exposed granite trail, moving straight toward the bottleneck with predatory confidence.
They had zero cover, the smooth rock reflecting the moonlight cast from the clear sky above.
As they drew closer, the temperature dropped.
A physical presence settled over them like a blanket.
Eyes glowing in the night.
Silent pants clouding the air.
The first in line was slighter, with smooth, pale white fur.
It alternated, seemingly glowing, then almost completely disappearing amongst the rocks.
The next was the largest yet.
A shaggy, dirty gray coat, crisscrossed with lines of scars.
A pearlescent haze flowed around it like a mane.
Jaime and Belle shifted slightly closer together.
Kim absently placed a hand on Luna’s side, as she whimpered quietly.
A stab of pain shot through George’s shoulder, twisting his face.
Jimmy drew his bow silently, sighting the leading, slightly smaller figure.
Arrow nocked and steady.
"Now," Dan whispered, breathing a cloud in the cold air.
Feet planted wide, club raised, every muscle coiled.
An arrow loosed with a sharp twang.
The fight had begun.
