Sinking In

Erik jumped out of the car. At this point his body already tensed and ready for action. Liam and Mia quickly followed. As they moved towards the wolves, Liam paused and turned to his grandfather.

"Grandpa, stay in the car. We'll be alright," Liam said.

His grandfather's face creased with worry, but he nodded, knowing better than to argue. "Be careful!"

Mia glanced at her father, who was gripping his shotgun tightly. "Dad, stay here. We'll handle this. Everything will be fine."

Her father opened his mouth to protest but the trio had already turned their attention back to the wolves, dashing towards the looming threats without waiting for a reply.

Erik's grip tightened on his bloody iron rod, Liam raised his ax and Mia brandished her crowbar. The wolves turned their predatory gaze upon them, growling low in their throats.

Erik's mind raced. His mom was in that house, and he couldn't afford to fail. He activated his ability immediately, feeling a surge of energy course through him. His vision sharpened and time seemed to slow as he charged forward, rage, fury, and fear driving his every step.

With a guttural roar, Erik swung his iron rod at the nearest wolf. The beast snarled and snapped its jaws at him, but he dodged, bringing the rod down hard on its side. The impact sent a shockwave up his arms.

Liam was right beside him, his ax swinging in a deadly arc. He struck the second wolf, the blade biting deep into its flesh.

The wolf yelped in pain just like what had befallen its friends before. Its massive body twisting to retaliate but Liam was quick. Their stamina and Aether already recovered a little through the journey here.

Mia darted around the flanks and attacking the wolf Erik attacking using her crowbar. She aimed for the wolves' legs, trying to cripple their movements.

The wolves snarled and lunged, their jaws snapping dangerously close, but she already expected that.

Erik felt a surge of fear as one of the wolves managed to knock him off balance. It lunged, its teeth bared, but he rolled to the side, his heart pounding. He scrambled to his feet, swinging the rod with all his might and striking the wolf's head.

The wolf snarled, its eyes locking onto Erik with a predatory gleam. It lunged at him again but Erik was faster, sidestepping the beast's snapping jaws.

He brought the iron rod down with all his might, aiming for the wolf's skull. The impact was jarring, the force reverberating up his arms but the wolf was only momentarily stunned.

Mia darted around the side of the wolf. She swung her crowbar with precision, striking the beast's hind leg. The wolf yelped, momentarily losing its balance, giving Erik the opening he needed.

With a determined shout, Erik drove the iron rod into the wolf's skull, the metal piercing through bone with a sickening crunch. The wolf's body convulsed once, then went limp, collapsing to the ground in a lifeless heap.

[You gained 50 EXP!]

Mia didn't waste a moment. As soon as the wolf fell she turned her attention to Liam, who was also locked in a fierce struggle with the second wolf. She rushed towards him, her crowbar ready.

"Liam, I'm coming!" she shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos.

Liam's face was pale with exertion, his ax swinging wildly as he tried to fend off the massive beast. He spared a brief glance at Mia, relief flashing in his eyes before he refocused on the wolf.

Mia then drawing on her Rune Casting ability. She traced intricate symbols in the air, her fingers glowing with a faint, otherworldly light.

The runes shimmered and then shot towards the wolf, wrapping around its legs. The wolf froze, its movements momentarily halted by Mia's magic.

"Liam, now!" Mia shouted, her voice steady and strong.

Liam didn't hesitate. With the wolf immobilized he raised his ax and brought it down with all his strength. The blade sank into the wolf's neck and after several more hacking he managed to severe its head. Blood sprayed across the ground as the creature collapsed.

[You gained 50 EXP!]

From the relative safety of their vehicles, Mia's father and Liam's grandfather watched the scene unfold with wide eyes and disbelief. The chaotic fight had been a blur of movement, a whirlwind of violence that happened in seconds that left them both stunned.

Mia's father gripped the steering wheel of his truck, his knuckles white. He had always known his daughter was strong but seeing her killing a giant wolf with a crowbar is ridiculous feat.

The way she had cast runes to immobilize the wolf was something out of a legend. His heart swelled with a mix of pride and awe, emotions he rarely allowed himself to feel.

Liam's grandfather, sitting in the backseat of the car, was no less astounded. He had seen many things in his long life but watching his grandson fight with such ppwer courage was a sight he never expected.

Erik rushed toward the house without saying anything, his heart pounding with a mixture of adrenaline and fear.

He burst open the front door, the wood splintering under the force of his entry. Inside, the dim light revealed a scene of chaos, but his focus narrowed on the sound of crying that echoed through the halls.

"Mom!" he called out, his voice hoarse with panic. He followed the sound, his steps quickening as dread gripped him.

He rounded a corner and stopped short, his face going pale. His mother was sitting on the floor, her body hunched over a still form.

She was cradling his father, whose body was bloodied and unnervingly still. The room was thick with the smell of blood.

Erik's mother looked up as he approached, her eyes red and swollen from crying. "Erik," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Your father..."

Erik dropped to his knees beside her, his own eyes filling with tears. His father looked so pale, his chest unmoving, and the sight sent a wave of helplessness washing over him.

He reached out a trembling hand, placing it on his father's shoulder. "Dad, no..."

His mother clung to him, her sobs wracking her body. Erik could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on him, the realization that he had been too late sinking in.

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