Sleep

Erik and Liam stood in front of the fallen wolf with their bodies still trembling. The massive creature lay lifeless in front of them, they knew that its only possible becaus of the strange power that had coursed through them. The air was filled with the scent of blood and the lingering echo of the wolf's final roar.

For a moment, they simply stood ther staring at the beast they had defeated. Erik's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and anxiety, but one thing was clear, this was just the beginning.

"Holy shit," Liam gasped. "We just killed a giant wolf!"

Erik managed a weary smile, his eyes still fixed on the wolf's massive form. "Yeah, we did," he replied, his voice heavy with exhaustion.

Liam's elation was short-lived. As the adrenaline began to fade, his body then gave out. He swayed on his feet, the color draining from his face. Erik saw the collapse coming and moved quickly catching Liam before he hit the ground.

"Easy, I've got you," Erik said.

"Thanks I… I don't know what is happening to me suddenly. My strength is gone," he murmured, his voice weak.

"We need to go for now," Erik said urgently. "Mia is safe, we have to go where she's at. Can you walk?"

Liam nodded. "Yeah, I think so," he said.

Erik adjusted his grip and helping Liam to his feet.

With Erik supporting him, Liam managed to stay upright. They moved through the debris-strewn grounds, the campus still a haunting scene of devastation.

Erik kept a vigilant eye on their surroundings. The wolf's howl in the distant, occasional creak of a building or the distant rustling of debris accompanied them.

Liam's breathing was labored. Erik could feel the strain in his friend's body after using such strength. But they pressed on.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Erik spotted the small storage closet where he had left Mia. Relief washed over him as he saw her peeking out, her eyes wide with worry and anticipation. She already wake up.

Mia's face lit up with relief when she saw them. "Erik! Liam!" she cried, her voice trembling with emotion.

"We're okay," Erik assured her.

Erik pushed the door open ushering Liam and Mia inside. Once they were all in he took a quick glance around, scanning the desolate campus for any signs of danger that maybe close to them. Fortunately, no wolves were in sight. With a sigh of relief, Erik shut the door and locked it as securely as possible.

He then slumped to the ground, his back against the wall. Finally, the exhaustion hitting him like a tidal wave. Liam and Mia, both still looking pale and shaken, sat down around him. The room became silence.

For a moment, they all just sat there, catching their breath and trying to process the events that had just happened. The small storage room was cluttered with old supplies and broken furniture, became their makeshift sanctuary.

Mia was the first to speak with trembling voice. "What the hell is going on? What were those things?"

Erik took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "I don't know. Those wolves... they're not normal wolves. And whatever this power is inside us, it's connected to them somehow."

"I felt it too," Liam said. "That energy... it was like.. something I've felt from my dream."

Erik closing his eyes for a moment. "We need to figure out how to get out of here."

"Are you okay, Erik?" Mia asked with concern while looking at Erik. He looks even paler than Liam.

Erik opened his eyes and managed a weak smile. "I'm just tired," he replied. "That fight took a lot out of me."

But the fatigue was unlike anything Erik had ever felt before. It wasn't just physical exhaustion—it was as if the energy that had fueled him during the battle had drained him completely. His limbs felt heavy, and every muscle in his body ached.

"We need to rest first," Erik said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Just for a little while. Then we'll figure out our next move."

As Erik closed his eyes, intending to rest for just a moment, the exhaustion overcame him swiftly and completely. His mind and body surrendered to the overwhelming need for sleep. Within seconds he drifted into a deep slumber, forgetting everything around him.

In the depths of his sleep Erik felt a strange sensation, as if he were being transported somewhere far from the storage room. The weightlessness of the experience was surreal, he floated through a void, his consciousness detached from his physical form.

When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in a completely different environment. He was standing in the middle of a vast expanse of ice and snow, surrounded by towering, jagged mountains. Snowflakes drifted gently from the sky and a fierce blizzard howled around him. Despite the harsh conditions, Erik felt no cold. Instead, he felt a peculiar warmth enveloping him.

Looking down, he saw that his body was now draped in a heavy fur cloak, providing both protection and warm comfort. The thick fur was soft against his skin, and it seemed to blend seamlessly with the icy landscape.

Erik's mind raced with confusion and wonder. "Where am I?" he muttered to himself, his voice barely audible above the roaring wind. He turned in a slow circle, taking in the stark beauty of the snow-covered mountains and the endless white expanse stretching out before him.

A voice suddenly called out to him from behind. It was a melodious and alluring sound. He turned, his curiosity piqued, and his breath caught in his throat.

Standing a few paces away was a woman, her presence is captivating. She wore a fur cloak similar to his, the soft white and silver pelts blending harmoniously with the snowy landscape. Her beauty was striking with delicate features that can not be contained by her thick fur cloak. Her body framed by flowing, raven-black hair that contrasted starkly with the whiteness of their surroundings. Her eyes, a piercing shade of blue, seemed to hold the depths of the sky and the wisdom of ages.

Erik was stunned, unable to look away. The woman's beauty was mesmerizing. She moved toward him with a fluid elegance, each step barely disturbing the snow beneath her feet.

"Who… who are you?" Erik asked, still entranced by her presence.

The woman smiled, . "I am Freya," she said.

---