New Monsters

[ALERT: Friendly forces are being swarmed by Dusk Wolves.]

The system called out as Nix caught up with Jennifer. Though the Va'Rish went ahead first, she hadn't quite gotten used to manipulating her armor as she'd thought. This wasn't much of a problem for her combat abilities, as she had already killed 5 large wolves before Nix had arrived. Each wolf was adorned in brown fur and deep red eyes. Their paws melded into a deep red as well, showing Nix where they had gotten their name. Two of the wolves had their heads but off, while Jennifer's pistol bore steaming holes various places.

"So these are Dark Beasts huh?" Nix asked as she crouched next to one and felt the body. Even over her armor, she could tell the pelt was soft yet rugged. Like her own world, it seemed these wolves were needed to make pelts to last a winter.

"These are rank three. Your system should be updated for most Dark Beasts. Ju'Shal went crazy going over the book about animals and plants to let the system get acquainted with them." Jennifer said as she scanned the area. Upon seeing the system pick up the living hunters, she gestured for Nix to follow and raced off deep into the forest.

Nix didn't hesitate to follow as she watched their surroundings. Thankfully, she was familiar with this part of the forest, the system letting them know the best route over the fallen trees and shrubbery was a huge help as well. After a few minutes, the sounds of fighting mixed with roaring and faint whimpers and yelps could be heard infront of them.

[ALERT: 6 Users are surrounded by a sizable force. Bringing parameters up now.]

The system alerted them as they reached the small clearing the others fought in. Ju'Shal was busy fending off three, while the others were defending a wounded Beast-Kin laying on the ground in a losing battle. The Dusk Wolves were smart in their attacks, one baiting an attack out while two more would strike, or vice versa. They weaved their claws and maws in so well that it was a wonder how these things were only considered rank three.

Jennifer was the first to attack, firing a couple shots at a beast that almost took the neck of a petrified Oracian that had fallen onto their butt and dropped their weapon. The wolf retreated with a yelp, causing the rest to turn and focus on the new enemies that appeared out of nowhere. Nix was next, bringing her rifle up and accurately shooting two in the head, barely missing the third as it rolled to the right.

"Moon, these things fight like fucking humans." Nix clicked her tongue as she fired a few more rounds at the downed beast, making it fall to the ground with a whimper.

Ju'Shal quickly jumped back to join the small circle taking up a defensive stance as Nix and Jennifer took their own stances.

"Jenny, Nix, glad you two could make it to the party." The Wolf-Kin chuckled as she slouched a little, blood leaking slowly from her clawed side.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world. How many?" Jennifer asked as she tossed Nix the syringe.

Quickly catching it, Nix knelt by the fallen Beast-Kin and jammed the syringe into the felines neck. "Two minutes." Nix called out before standing back up and firing a few warning shots at the circling wolves, scaring a few and hitting one in the side, making it scamper to the back with a yelp.

"We've lost 5 now, we are the last ones." Ju'Shal panted softly.

"We will make a hole once Kaitlyn is up. Nix, you'll cover us while I carry."

"On it, one minute."

The next minute seemed far longer than it should. Every second was spent fending off the wolves wild attacks. They would occasionally drop one while the others fell back. Like true predators, they were willing to wait and sacrifice as much as they could for this slowly weakening prey.

"Screw the timer. Nix, we're moving." Jennifer shouted before sheathing her weapons. As she turned to Kaitlyn to pick her up, another wolf jumped at her, only to be put down quickly by Ju'Shal's great axe to its back. As the Va'Rish managed to get the weak girl on her back, she whistled and pointed to the way they came.

Nix answered in kind and charged a few explosive rounds. One. A sudden explosion went off, scattering a large group of wolves and killing a few. Two. The explosions as closer now, blowing a few more back as yelps and whimpers sang through the air. Three. The last one was larger than the rest and produced some smoke, signaling fir everyone to retreat.

Ju'Shal took the front of the formation, cleaving a few more wolves that tried to stall her in vain. Jennifer followed just behind, the others keeping up with their swords and axes wielded to defend. Nix kept the pace in the back, occasionally turning and firing random rounds off to scare the pack of wolves.

Though the group seemed to move fast, they hadn't made it 50 paces before the onslaught of wolves bared their teeth once more. They followed the formation just out of reach of the hunters weapons before occasionally snapping at their legs or arms. Yelps of beast-like laughter filled the air around the group, striking fear in the younger hunters.

"Keep going. Once we make it to the treeline, we will have a chance." Jennifer shouted to everyone with ragged breath. The woman hadn't been controlling her Mana like she should, causing her to be much more ragged than she should be normally.

The system warned Nix of everyone's condition as she tried to pick off the wolves around them. She felt a creeping fear in the back of her mind as the neverending patches of fur seemed to barely fade as she shot wolf after wolf.

[ALERT: All Dark Beasts have converged on the Users location.]

[ALERT: Rank 6 beast is within 150 Meters. User is advised to stop it before more casualties are made.]

"Jenny, get everyone out of here." Nix shouted as she charged some charged bolts. She fired them quickly on either side of the group. Unlike the explosive rounds, they simply pierced the hoard on either side and made the wolves scatter quickly.

[ALERT: Mana Levels at 70%. User is advised to switch to lighter rounds or close combat.]

Jennifer saw the alerts made for Nix and grimaced. Considering the size of the hoard, the rank 6 was probably powerful. Though all she could do was hope she would survive as she led the group to the village. "I'll get help, hold off as long as you can and meet us." The woman replied through her visor, suddenly pulling her pistol out and firing at a wolf that tried to jump at the Wolf-Kin infront of her. Ju'Shal didn't have time to notice as she cleaved another wolf down its side, making it fall back with a whimper.

A sudden roar swept the forest from behind the group, causing them to stumble while the wolves stopped their assault and turned to Nix. The rank 6 had finally caught up, and it's sights were set on Nix. Every wolf then abandoned the weak prey and surrounded Nix's slouched figure and began circling her slowly.

Stomps enveloped the area, causing Nix to shudder. The beast was huge, and she hadn't seen it yet. There was a pressure that bared down on her and made her sweat. She'd faced many battles before, but this bloodlust was on a level of its own. Even the Dieties she'd killed before could never unleash such unrestrained bloodlust that seemed to claw at your flesh like a hunger-frenzied animal.

Swiftly, she reached onto her back and pulled out a thick metal shard from her back and grabbed the barrel of her rifle. She flexed her hands to make the metal shard and rifle change their shapes. On her left hand, a small buckler formed in her hand, while her rifle collapsed and extended into a short spear. A violet hue enveloped her new weapons, the shield being completely covered on its face while the tip of the spear glowed a threatening violet.

She brought the shield up to her face held the spear in a defensive stance as she swept her leg to face the Rank 6 that bared down on her location. The wolves around her seemed to dance and laugh at her foolishness as their boss began to clear the trees before it. Suddenly, it's head tore down the tree just a few meters away from Nix, making her jump back to avoid the shrapnel.

[ALERT: Rank 6 Spotted.

Designation: Fire Horn.

Weight: 6 tons.

Size: 9 feet tall, 11 feet and 3 inches long, 3 feet wide.

Appearance: Much like a rhino from Earth, this beast primarily uses its flaming horn and massive body to bear down on its prey. It's

WARNING: This beast uses Fire, Earth, and Enhancement Magics. It can also control up to 100 Rank 3 Dark Beasts as it rampages. User is advised to cull the forces surrounding it.]

Much like the system explained, the Rhino like beast was massive. Though unlike its noble appearance in her world, this black furred beast looked like it should be in a horror film. Unlike a regular Rhino, it had the maw and ears of a wolf, while it's horn jutted like a jagged blade from between its eyes. As the drool fell from its molars, the leaves and shrubbery beneath smoldered from an intense heat.

"Seriously, you look like a giant teddy bear." Nix tried to joke before suddenly jumping to her right. The wolves yelped as they were pounced, Nix's spear meeting the stomach of one that tried to jump away, while her shield bashed another's maw down into the ground.

This movement enraged the Fire Horn, making it rear its front up before slamming onto the rough ground. The earth shook and made Nix stumble onto the ground. As a few wolves took the opportunity to jump her, the Fire Horn breathed deeply and took a small step back.

Both Nix's instincts and the system warned her to raise her shield at the Fire Horn, barely making it in time before a fury of molten fire sprayed towards Nix. The wolves that tried to jump her were caught in the breath, yelping as they were reduced to ash and bones almost instantly. Unlike the size of the shield, a larger barrier was formed infront of her, blocking her curled form from the attack.

The heat was almost enough for Nix to pass out, barely surviving the attack as the beast finally ran out of breath. A sudden hiss sang from Nix's suit to cool her down quickly as she jumped at the beast. She didn't know what, but she felt this was a good opening for a counter attack.

As she sailed through the air, a few more wolves jumped at her from all sides, causing her to abandon her attack to try and sweep away the assaulting balls of fur. She managed to get two before the last bit into her side and launched her back onto the ground.

[ALERT: Mana Levels at 40%. Suit integrity at 80%. Chances of survival dropped from 80% to 60%. User is recommended to retreat.]

This alert was ignored as Nix roared and bashed the wolf with her shield, making it let go and take a step back before it met the tip of her spear to its eye. "How many left." She shouted as she flexed her wrist, firing off a random bolt from the tip of her spear at another charging wolf. The wolf fell to the ground as it's leg was shot through, Nix's spear following through to pierce its side.

[ATTENTION: 1 rank 6 beast, 47 rank 3 Beasts remain. User is recommended to ret-

ALERT: Shield Front.]

The system cut itself off just in time to warn Nix of another breath attack. Once again she barely had enough time to raise her shield before being engulfed in flames. The system let her know that 2 more wolves fell to their bosses breath attack. This time, Nix didn't wait for it to end, instead jumping up and towards the beast with a roar. The wolves dared not to jump at her this time due to the fire, allowing Nix to enhance herself just enough to pierce her spear into the Fire Horn's eye after landing on its maw.

The Fire Horn roared in surprise and bucked it's head violently. Due to the surprise, it hadn't ended its breath and weaved its attack throughout the trees. The wolves did their best to avoid the fire that engulfed their formations, the system letting Nix know that 10 more had perished with several more being wounded. This minor victory couldn't be celebrated as she was suddenly flung off the beast, dropping her spear as she flew. She fell hard onto her back before rolling a few feet to meet a tree with her chest and losing her breath.

[ALERT: 20% Mana remaining. Suit integrity at 60%. Diagnosis shows three broken ribs and the left femur fractured. Minor concussion sustained.]

The system spoke from a distance to the dazed woman. She couldn't hear much around her besides rumbling and the distant crackling of fire.

The system began to alert her of something else as Nix turned to look at the Fire Horn. As fear struck her core, she scrambled to her feet and brought her shield up. The beast had forsaken magic and decided it was best to use force, charging at her to try and pierce her with its large, sharp horn.

Nix barely braced herself before she was suddenly flung back. Her vision faded to black as she heard multiple snaps and a dull pain all along her back and the back of her head. By the time she could see again, the tree she'd been forced through collapsed onto the Fire Horn. Her shield laid shattered on her arm, while the system warned her of a fractured spine and major concussion with some more ribs broken. She didn't need the system to tell her that her left arm had been broken from the force of the attack.

She felt weak and exhausted. Her body wouldn't listen as she tried to force herself onto her feet. Not even a finger would lift as she stared at the smoke engulfed tree tops.

So this is where it ends, huh?

She thought as she tried to pace her breath. Her lungs filled with the heat around her, made worse from the broken bones and bruised flesh in her chest.

Is this how I die? I haven't even seen the outside world yet.

Images of her past life began to race through her sights. Wars and loss, love and life. Happiness and sadness all welling up in her throat.

What of the others. How would they have dealt with this thing?

Her mind suddenly landed on the people she'd been living with for the past few weeks. Their smiles and sadness creeping at the edges of her darkening vision. Suddenly, the image of Sheeva appeared in her eyes, a deep grief in the small cubs face making Nix shed a few tears.

Ah, you poor thing. It seems I'll be leaving you as well. I'm so sorry child. If only...

Her thoughts trailed off as she finally passed out. Regret filled her sullen dreams as the pain in her body forced her body to rest.

The Fire Horn finally managed to shake the tree off and roar out a deeply enraged roar. The remaining wolves trudged among the flames to surround Nix's broken body

Finally, the strong one has been felled.

Finally, it was time to feast and grow.

Finally, I will evo-

The Fire Horns thoughts were interrupted by an explosion that found its way to its side. The beast stumbled as the wolves raised their heads, meeting a rain of bolts that bared down on them and caused them to scatter.

"Stoll, grab Nix and get out of her. The rest of you, follow Vela and kill that damned thing."

"Jenny, you'll have to carry her."

"The system says we can't carry her like that."

"They're coming back. Group two focus on the small ones."

"Fuck, she fought this alone?"

"Focus on the fight. Drevid, help me carry her to the village."

"Do we have a syringe?"

"Don't let that thing breathe. Don't hesitate to fire explosive rounds."

"Chief, more are coming from the west."

"We have Nix, everyone retreat. We can't fight among the flames."

Nix barely woke to hear the rush of conversation around her. The voices were angered and worried, making Nix feel safer than she'd been in a long while. Once again, the sounds around her began to fade as she fell into a deep, pained sleep in the arms of her friends.