Series: The Mountain: Book 1: The Awakening

A Fierce Battle

The moment Xavier had given the order to fight, the spearmen at the forefront of the battle inched closer to the large wolf, jabbing skillfully at its hide as they went. The Dire Wolf, although seemingly being pushed back, easily dodged their advances, salivating as it closely studied their movements.  Beside her, two swordsmen with dark circles lining their eyes, trembled as they held onto their blades. 

"Are the both of you ok?" she asked, noticing their conditions. 

"We're fine," they said in unison, sobering up at the sound of her voice.

Although they tried to reassure her that they were fine, Helen knew, something was wrong. Staring at them closely, she recognized them to be the two that fell asleep at the campfire after returning from patrol. At first glance, it would seem as if they were afraid, however she knew better. These men and women had been on the move constantly and with what little rest they'd acquired, the current battle only served to weaken them further. Helen looked on worriedly as her companions repeatedly took turns jabbing their sharply pointed spears at the Dire Wolf. Even though their attacks had yet to land, the long reach had served it's purpose well in limiting the beast's mobility. Relieved at their ability to keep the larger beast at bay, Helen's eyes strayed toward Xavier and Sylvie.

Xavier drew the smaller Dire Wolf's attention as he swung his longsword in wide arcs, deliberately exposing his side to the enemy. However, the younger wolf did not take the bait as it noticed Sylvie lurking in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to strike. After continuing in this manner without any progress, Xavier fell back to Sylvie's position as he realized their current strategy was yielding no definitive results. 

"Ugh!" he grunted in frustration, "it won't take the bait no matter what I do."

"We need to think of something fast," Sylvie responded, glancing at the larger wolf, which was now growing bolder, "I don't think they'll last very long in their current state."

"We're not exactly at one hundred percent," he said acknowledging his aching muscles, "Shall we proceed with plan B?"

"Are you sure," she asked, eyes wide in surprise.

"Like you said," he chuckled as a dark expression spread across his face, "we need to end this quickly."

"You're crazy, you know that?" she replied, backing off a couple feet behind him. 

"I prefer the term 'Brave'," he retorted charging at the smaller Dire Wolf.

Xavier swung his longsword, with short precise strokes, forcing the wolf to retreat. Unlike his previous assault, he left no openings for a counterattack. Sylvie, knowing all to well what his 'plan B' entailed, maintained a good distance from the pair as Xavier pushed the beast further away from the group. 

As he continuously pressed the wolf back, Xavier spotted several openings within its withdrawal.

He bit down hard on his lip as he raised his blade overhead, in preparation for a wide swing, "This is going to hurt!"

The wolf, seeing an opportunity, cancelled its retreat and rushed forward, jaws wide open. Swinging with all his might, Xavier brought the blade down hard, maiming a hind leg just as the beast pounced at him. His blow however, was not without cost, as the leaping Dire Wolf clamped down on his shoulder with a massive crushing force. Sylvie, who still lingered a great distance away, instantly sprang into action. Swords held at her sides, she ran at great speeds, closing the gap between her and the entangled pair within seconds. The wolf, startled by Sylvie's sudden appearance, released its hold on Xavier, attempting to create distance between it and the approaching threat. However, Xavier threw his arms around one of its huge paws, hugging it tightly, preventing any chance of escape. Panicking, the beast howled desperately for assistance as the glint of sunlight shone off of Sylvie's blades as it descended upon its neck, decapitating it cleanly. Slender swords stained with dark red blood, Sylvie sank to her knees as she recovered from the overexertion caused by her earlier burst of speed. 

"That was way too close," she muttered, catching her breath. 

"At least we won," Xavier shrugged, rising to his feet, "It's not over yet!"

"You really are crazy," she reiterated, "to think you did all of that without using aura."

"Best to save it for the real-," Xavier stopped short, as a howl resounded behind them. 

"The Princess," he shouted already rushing back to her side, cursing himself for his complacency. 

Sylvie, who still hadn't fully recovered, followed behind as fast as she could manage.

*   *   *

Helen stared worriedly as Xavier gained no ground against the smaller wolf. She could see the frustration vividly expressed on his face as he fell back to converse with Sylvie. After a short strategy meeting, she watched as Xavier led the beast through the trees until they were both out of sight. Sylvie, who remained behind, stared intently in his direction, holding her wickedly sharp swords at her sides like daggers. 

'What's going on?' she wondered, 'Will Xavier really be alright on his own?' 

Just as she was about to call her over for an explanation, Sylvie took off in an unmatched speed in the same direction, Xavier had lured the wolf in. Although, Helen wished she could follow behind her, she knew her presence would only burden them. Mere moments later, a strangled howl came from the distance in the direction her companions had gone. 

"Did they win?" she asked excitedly turning to the swordsmen. 

 Her excitement was instantly brought to a screeching halt as the two beside her wore somber expressions on their faces. Amidst her elation at the prospect of an assumed victory, the larger wolf switched from its passive stance to a full on assault after hearing the cry for help from its fellow wolf. Helen whirled around in horror, as the companions she'd travelled with were being mauled by the larger Dire Wolf's advance. Heedless of the spears protruding from its body along with the freely flowing blood from several gashes originating from the fallen warriors beneath its large paws, the Dire Wolf clawed at the unrested soldiers mutilating them as it made it's way towards Helen. 

"Sorry miss," one of the swordsmen said walking forward, "it seems we won't be able to escort you any further. Please make your way toward Sir Xavier whilst we try to buy you some time."

"What are you-," she stopped suddenly as the wolf appeared before them. 

"Run!" the second swordsman shouted as he joined the first swordsman to engage the beast. 

With no way to contribute in their fight, Helen obeyed the instructions, running as fast as she could in the direction Xavier disappeared in. 

"This is as far as you go!" he shouted, hoping to distract the beast as Helen made her escape. 

Rushing forward, the swordsman raised his blade, slicing at the beast's tough hide. Enraged by another lesser lifeform blocking its path, the wolf swiped at the man, huge claws sparking as it collided with the sword. Dropping his blade on impact, he fell to his knees watching helplessly as the massive beast crushed him underfoot. Simultaneously, the second swordsman used his soldier in arms' sacrifice to climb atop the Dire Wolf's back, plunging his own weapon as deep as he could into its spine. 

The beast let out a deep howl, powerful enough to reverberate through the entire forest as it shook wildly, flinging its assailant to the floor. Unarmed, the swordsman rose unsteadily, trembling in fear as the wolf towered over him. 

"Sorry Xavier," the man apologized, tears flowing freely, "seems we couldn't handle him after all."

As if acknowledging his final words, the Dire Wolf took his head off in one bite, leaving the headless body to flop lifelessly to the forest floor. Anger still unrestrained, the bloodied beast galloped furiously to face off against the one responsible for its fallen comrade.