Chapter 8: A New Alliance

The thick, fog-like silence right after the defeat of the Shadowstalker lay thick. It should have bristled with all the nocturnal sounds of the forest, but it was oppressively quiet. Each gentle rustle of leaves, each light breeze, seemed to hold the world in balance, awaiting what would happen next. I knew it would not last-there were still two standing if I wished to have any chance to claim the territory as my own.

I sat on my hill, looking towards the forest, weighing what the system had alerted: its call to protect our land.

[Territory Defense Progress: 1/3 Predators Defeated]

It proved to be strong, stealthy, and hence a formidable foe-the Shadowstalker; I outwitted it. Of other enemies, I did not know what to expect; if they were stronger or craftier than the great cat, I was prepared.

I stand there, thinking, my Survival Instinct kicking in once again, tumbling in my head what's next to do. A little tug at my brain-a hint, little more. Yet this time, it wasn't warning of impending danger; it was something else, something…?

I canted my ears to what sound could have yielded such emotion, then off the darkness beyond my mound, a figure came - a small, wiry fox with his fur bright orange, moved circumspectly yet determinedly, as perhaps not to surprise me.

I tensed, ready for it to attack, but the fox merely stood at the edge of the clearing, regarding me with bright astute eyes. It wasn't attacking; it wasn't even scared of me. Actually, if anything, it looked as though it was here to talk.

[Potential Ally Detected: Ember, Fox Scout]

Status: Neutral

Abilities: High agility, stealth, enhanced perception

Weakness: Low defense, limited offensive capabilities

An ally? I never saw that coming. Of course, thus far, mine was a solo journey, but the prospect of having an ally really piqued my interest. I reached out warily, keeping all my movements calm and non-threatening.

The fox moved its head to the side, looking at me with a funny sparkle in its eyes. "You're the one who beat the leader wolf, right?" it asked, its voice gentle but sure.

I blinked. This was the first time I'd heard another animal speak since arriving in this world. The system had translated her words seamlessly, but the sound of a voice that wasn't my own was… jarring.

"I am," I answered without hesitation, instantly awake. "And the Shadowstalker too."

Ember nodded, as if taken aback. "I can understand now why the forest's changed. I've felt it since you took this hill. The old ways are changing, and you're right at the center of it.

I didn't respond immediately-only because I didn't know what he wanted of me. "What do you want?" I asked point-blank.

Ember snickered. "Don't be alarmed, for I don't intend to fight you. On the contrary: I followed you from the moment you fought that boar. As strong as you are, you're smart too. Smart is an awfully rare thing around this part of the woods. I think we could both benefit from each other.

My eyes narrowed. "Help each other? How?

She spoke, her tail moving from side to side behind her. "You're new to this forest, but I have been here for some time. I know its secrets, its hidden paths, and how the predators move. You are strong, but you can't do this alone-not with what's coming."

She came then, her face grave: "A deal I offer. I'm ready to help guard against your land, sharing with you all the information about the other predators, if you could cede some of your territory to me. Wherever we work together, there is survival together. That simple."

I weighed her offer considerately. Ember knew much about the forest and thus would be a great help, especially when there were still two more predators existing around. And I couldn't ignore that fact-it would be really different with someone to help me out. But I wasn't ready to give up part of my territory that easily. After all, in the world of the predatorial fae, power was everything, and shared power made one weak.

The system didn't light her up as an imminent threat, either. Actually, the word coming into my head was "potential ally"-meaning she could be trusted, at least for now.

"I'll think about it," I said, maintaining a neutral tone of voice. "But I don't give up control over my territory without knowing what you offer."

Ember gave a wry smile. "Alright, that is a reasonable deal. How about I show my worth? The next dangerous creature we need to hunt, well, I know it all too well. Really nasty. If you guys can help me catch it, then we talk.

The system continued giving more detail before I could answer.

[Quest Update: New Predator Approaching]

Threat: Poisonous Spined Lizard

Level: 6

Abilities: Poisonous spines, armored scales, burrowing

Weakness: Vulnerable to speed and agility-based attacks.

A poisonous lizard. That's just great.

"Looks like it's coming sooner than we thought," Ember said, gleaming with streaks of excitement in her eyes. "This one is going to be hard, but trust me, we can get through it together.

I hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Fine. Let's see what you've got."

The forest seemed to grow darker in preparation for the coming fight. My every muscle seemed to ache beneath my skin as I waited for the predator to appear. Ember was as usual beside me, fluid and silent in her motions-as if she were a spring waiting to burst forth with her energies.

Presently, the earth started to shudder with a low rumbling growl, as if it was moving along. The ground fissures in the dirt before us spread open and out came the Venomous Spined Lizard from beneath the forest floor.

It was a completely weird creature, its body covered in thick, pointed scales that shone with poison. The eyes were a gross, green hue, and the great talons were tearing into the earth as it heaved its way out of the ground. There were spines across the back, each tip welling with venom, hissing as it attained soil.

[Enemy Identified: Poisonous Spined Lizard]

Level: 6

Status: High-level predator, specializes in poison and burrowing tactics

Abilities: Poisonous spines, armor-plated scales, burrowing

Weakness: Slow to turn, weak underbelly.

It let out a low hissing growl for a moment, staring at me. The air was thick with the promise of danger around it, and one touch of those spines got me into deep trouble. But this time, I was not alone.

"Do what I do," Ember whispered, the words barely audible over the shaking earth. "I'll keep it busy. You attack the weak areas."

Before I was able to answer, she leaped into action, her lithe body a blur around the snapping jaws and poisonous spines of the lizard. It hissed its anger, darting here and there to catch up, but Ember was too quick and much too agile.

Under the distraction, I closed in, seeking to strike at his belly; so intent on watching Ember was he that he did not even see me until it was too late.

[Quick Strike Activated]

I hit the lizard right in his weak stomach through his tough skin. It let out a roar of agony, his body shaking with his attempts to get me off. Just in time, I jumped back as the tail did a poisonous-looking strike.

Ember circled the lizard, striking at it with her eyes for an opening. "Again!" she yells, and I did not need to be told twice. Together, we danced around the lizard, pecking away and with each salvo slowly wearing it down with our relentless teamwork.

After some time, the lizard began to move with lame quickness, weakened by each continuous fight. And I, after one more well-placed strike, once again hit its belly, and the animal fell with a louder noise to the ground.

[Predator Defeated: Poisonous Spined Lizard]

Experience gained: 400 XP

Quest Progress: 2/3 Predators Defeated

Panting, I retreated from the dead lizard, proud of myself at the victory. Ember approached closer, her fur all ruffled from the fight.

"Not bad," she replied, smiling wryly. "I told you we'd make a decent team."

I nodded, still in the battle of my mind. A woman of value, no doubt about that. But here comes the big question now.

"What do you want back?" I asked back neutrally, my voice firm but guarded.

Ember's grin widened. "We'll talk about that. But for now, let's just say I'm interested in more than just a piece of your territory."

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

Her eyes had gleamed with fun. "There's a bigger plan here, rabbit. This forest? Just the beginning. You and I? We're going to do so much more than just survive."