Rising Of The Blind Swordsman

The Forest's Warning

The stench of Direwolf blood had attracted more creatures to the area, and Lady Zina knew she had to conclude the battle swiftly. Engaged in a fierce clash with the Alpha Direwolf, she found herself evenly matched for the time being. Meanwhile, Archon had finished his own battle and observed Lady Zina's struggle with a mix of tension and concern. He contemplated stepping in to assist her but realized the sheer intensity of the fight and the wild auras clashing warned him of the peril involved. Recognizing that the fight surpassed his abilities, Archon chose to meditate and replenish his depleted ki, fully aware of the approaching Direwolves and the need to gather his strength for survival. He trusted Lady Zina to handle the Alpha.

During their exchanges, Lady Zina miraculously remained unscathed except for a slight scratch on her neck from a surprise attack. On the other hand, the Alpha Direwolf bled profusely, its shallow wounds accumulating and staining its grey fur crimson. While the battle could have become a war of attrition, Lady Zina understood the urgency of ending it swiftly to avoid being overwhelmed by additional Direwolves that were rapidly converging on their location.

Executing a spin to evade a swipe from the Direwolf, Lady Zina retaliated with a powerful kick to its head, sending the beast crashing into the trees. She pursued her wounded opponent, delivering stabs and punches to keep it at bay. As they moved farther away from their initial battleground, Lady Zina's attention was drawn to something rapidly approaching their location. The swift movement and aura indicated the presence of a rank four beast, potentially attracted by their fierce combat.

Lady Zina swiftly calculated that she had roughly two minutes to conclude the fight and escape before the approaching beast arrived. With its strength and abilities of her estimation, she knew she couldn't afford to be caught in a dire situation. Determined to avoid unnecessary risks, she withdrew her ki energy, leaving the Alpha Direwolf wary and cautious. Lady Zina smiled at the Direwolf, masking her true intentions.

"I would have loved to push my limits against you, but alas, my time is up. Until we meet again, Wolfie," she taunted.

The Alpha Direwolf simply watched her depart and settled down on the grass, grateful to have survived the encounter. Normally, it would have given chase, but having lost its entire pack, it knew it was only a matter of time before Lady Zina would have claimed its life as well. Sighing with relief, the Alpha Direwolf hoped for a reprieve.

Lady Zina arrived where Archon patiently awaited her.

He had also sensed the approaching threat and shared her concern. "We must leave immediately," she declared, producing a scroll from an undisclosed location.

Opening the scroll, she revealed peculiar drawings and runes, proceeding to cut her thumb and place it on the scroll. Archon's confusion grew as he wondered why she didn't prioritize their escape from the approaching beast.

Sensing his puzzlement, Lady Zina explained her plan to him. "This is a return scroll, carried by every agent in my village. In emergencies, it teleports us back. Stay close to me; you cannot afford to be left behind."

She folded the scroll and wrapped her arms around Archon, enveloping them both in a radiant light that swiftly whisked them away.

Moments before their teleportation, Lady Zina caught sight of the Direwolf slain by Archon. Something seemed amiss—it appeared abnormal, as if it had been dead for a considerable time, with decaying flesh and a skeletal frame. However, Lady Zina knew this wasn't possible, as beasts took an extended period before their corpses began to decay naturally. Their bodies were far stronger, and their natural ki prevented rapid decomposition. Lady Zina made a mental note to investigate this peculiar phenomenon later. However, a more pressing matter demanded her attention—the approaching beast that she had briefly sensed before their teleportation was a rank 5 beast.

As the teleportation spell whisked them away, Lady Zina pondered the implications of encountering a level five beast, especially if it was one of the infamous "Eight Beast Generals."

In this world, only eight known level five beasts exists, the Beast Generals, dwelled in eight specific forests across the earth. These creatures possessed intelligence and strength that far surpassed ordinary beasts and even rivaled the mightiest humans. Their power was such that humans generally avoided their domains, as only a select few individuals possessed the ability to contend with a rank five beast.

If these Beast Generals were to initiate a conflict, chaos would undoubtedly ensue, as they were formidable adversaries, on par with or even surpassing the strongest humans.

There was a Rumor that circulated of the head of the Blade family, a renowned warrior, facing one of these Beast Generals and suffering a devastating defeat. Escaping with his life, he managed to negotiate a truce with the fearsome creature.

The fact that one of the Beast Generals was now on the move was a cause for alarm. Historically, the Beast Generals remained stationary, never venturing far from their established territories. The world's leaders would undoubtedly need to convene and take precautionary measures if one of the Beast Generals was indeed stirring.

The village where Lady Zina resided was situated on the very edge of this beast forest. The Lycan-Forest, controlled by one of the Beast Generals. The fact that the Beast General had been compelled to move from its usual location raised serious concerns. Lady Zina knew she had to report this development to the grandmaster of her village without delay.

The teleportation concluded, and Lady Zina and Archon found themselves back in the safety of their village. Lady Zina wasted no time. She swiftly made her way to the grandmaster's dwelling after dropping Archon off, urgency fueling her steps. The grandmaster, a wise and experienced martial artist, held the responsibility of safeguarding the village and coordinating efforts to deal with external threats. Lady Zina knew that informing him of the approaching Beast General was crucial, as it could potentially jeopardize the peace and stability of their land.

Entering the grandmaster's chamber, Lady Zina found him deep in meditation, his face serene and focused. Recognizing her presence, he opened his eyes and greeted her with a knowing gaze.

"Lady Zina, I sense the urgency in your aura. What news do you bring?" he inquired, his voice calm yet filled with an undercurrent of concern.

Bowing respectfully, Lady Zina relayed the events that transpired in the forest, detailing the battle with the Alpha Direwolf, the unexpected arrival of the Beast General, and their narrow escape. She emphasized the gravity of the situation, explaining the rarity of level five beasts and the potential implications if one of the Eight Beast Generals was now on the move.

The grandmaster listened attentively, his expression growing increasingly serious. When Lady Zina finished her account, he rose from his meditation cushion and paced thoughtfully.

"This is indeed troubling news, Lady Zina. The awakening of a Beast General signifies a shift in the delicate balance of our world. We must act swiftly and decisively to protect our village and prevent further turmoil," the grandmaster spoke, his voice carrying the weight of his experience.

He motioned for Lady Zina to join him at a table adorned with scrolls and ancient tomes. Together, they began researching the history of the Beast Generals, their behaviors, and potential motives for their sudden movement. They immersed themselves in the wealth of knowledge contained within the scrolls and books, seeking any clues or insights that could aid them in understanding the situation.

Hours turned into days as Lady Zina and the grandmaster delved deeper into their research. They uncovered legends and ancient texts describing the nature of the Beast Generals, their immense power, and the consequences of their actions. It became evident that the awakening of a Beast General held grave implications for both humans and beast alike. The potential for devastation and widespread conflict loomed large.

As they continued their studies, Lady Zina couldn't shake off the unsettling feeling that there was more to the Beast General's awakening than met the eye. The abnormal state of the slain Direwolf she had encountered before teleporting and the peculiar circumstances surrounding the Beast General's movement raised questions in her mind. She decided to investigate further, hoping to find connections and unravel the mystery that shrouded these events.

Days turned into weeks, and Lady Zina's investigations took her deep into the Lycan-Forest, the territory of the awakened Beast General. She traversed treacherous terrains, encountering other formidable beasts along the way. Her martial skills and heightened senses proved invaluable as she faced numerous trials and dangers, all the while seeking answers to the enigma.