THE STORM'S RISE

As his icy eyes met mine, the successor's smirk stopped me cold, sending a shiver down my spine. He seemed to have the power to control the forest itself, and his presence was oppressive. With their weapons lifted and their full attention on him, the men in our immediate vicinity stood still.

Instinctively, Ethan moved to put himself between the menace and me. He was in a protective position, holding my hand firmly as though to secure me to him. "You've underestimated us if you think we're going down without a fight," he stated in a stern, low voice.

The successor's face mockingly tilted his head slightly. "A brawl? Ethan, are you planning that? I'll give you that, brave. But stupid. You're besieged, hurt, and outnumbered. What specifically do you hope to achieve here?

Ethan did not recoil. "Enough to prevent you."