Chapter 44 - Trial of the Ashfang Pack
The camp erupted into chaos.
Merchants hurried to shield their families.
Guards formed defensive lines around the supply wagons.
The masked riders circled the camp like hungry wolves.
Their leader laughed.
"Last chance."
"Hand over everything."
"No one has to die."
Kai calmly pulled his spear from the ground.
"I'll give you one chance instead."
"Leave."
The bandits exchanged amused glances.
Then they burst into laughter.
"Did you hear that?"
"A kid with a fox is threatening us!"
The Crimson Flame Fox flicked its tail.
"They're going to regret that."
---
The bandit leader raised his hand.
"Capture him!"
Six wolf riders charged at once.
The ground trembled beneath their mounts.
Kai didn't move.
"Fox."
"Already on it."
The Crimson Flame Fox leapt into the air.
Its body spun gracefully.
"Crimson Mirage!"
One fox became three.
Three became nine.
The bandits stared in confusion.
"Which one is real?"
Flames exploded across the battlefield.
The illusionary foxes darted between the wolves, forcing them apart.
Kai rushed through the opening.
His spear struck the riders' weapons instead of their bodies.
One sword flew into the air.
Another rider was knocked clean from his saddle.
Within seconds, six bandits lay disarmed on the ground.
---
The remaining riders hesitated.
The leader frowned.
"Interesting."
He whistled sharply.
The giant black dire wolf beneath him stepped forward.
It was nearly twice the size of an ordinary wolf.
Its left eye glowed crimson.
The Book of Infinite Beasts appeared.
---
Beast Analysis
Ashfang Dire Wolf
Rank: Epic
Condition: Severely Injured
Mental State: Agitated
Loyalty: Forced
---
Kai's expression changed.
"It isn't evil."
"It's hurting."
Selene noticed the deep scars hidden beneath the beast's armour.
"Someone has abused it."
The wolf growled weakly.
Its eyes briefly returned to their natural silver before the crimson glow consumed them again.
---
Kai lowered his spear.
The bandit leader looked confused.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm not fighting the wolf."
"I'm helping it."
The leader's face darkened.
"Help?"
"You know nothing!"
He removed his mask.
He was a man in his early thirties, his face marked with old burn scars.
"My village was destroyed by the Temple."
"They burned our homes."
"They hunted our beasts."
"The Ashfang Pack was all we had left."
He looked at the wolf.
"I've kept them alive by stealing."
"If that makes me a criminal..."
"So be it."
---
Silence fell over the camp.
Even the merchants lowered their weapons.
Kai slowly walked toward the Ashfang Dire Wolf.
The beast snarled.
Every instinct told it to attack.
Instead...
Kai extended his hand.
"I won't force you."
"You decide."
The wolf stared into Kai's eyes.
For several long seconds, neither moved.
Then...
The great wolf lowered its head.
It gently rested its forehead against Kai's palm.
The crimson light in its eye faded.
---
The Book glowed warmly.
Beast Pacified
Ashfang Dire Wolf
Trust: Established
Corruption: 12% Removed
---
The bandit leader stared in disbelief.
"It..."
"It accepted you."
Kai looked at him.
"It accepted kindness."
"There is a difference."
The man slowly fell to one knee.
"My name is Rowan."
"I never wanted to become a bandit."
"I only wanted to protect my family."
Kai offered him a hand.
"Then stop running."
"Travel with us to the Phoenix Empire."
"The Temple is our common enemy."
Rowan looked at his companions.
One by one, the masked riders removed their masks.
They were not hardened criminals.
They were refugees.
Parents.
Hunters.
Former soldiers.
People who had lost everything.
Rowan grasped Kai's hand and stood.
"You have my loyalty."
"And the loyalty of the Ashfang Pack."
---
That night, the campfire burned brighter than before.
Merchants shared food with the former bandits.
Children cautiously approached the Ashfang wolves, who accepted gentle pats on their heads.
Selene watched the scene with a smile.
"You've gained allies without spilling blood."
Kai shrugged.
"If there's another path, I'll always choose it."
Ignis chuckled.
"You're unlike any Sovereign I've ever known."
---
As the camp settled into sleep, Kai remained awake beneath the stars.
He held the crimson feather from the Phoenix Empire in one hand.
Suddenly...
The feather burst into golden flame.
A desperate voice echoed inside his mind.
"Kai..."
"Please..."
"We're out of time..."
The flame vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
Kai rose to his feet.
His expression turned serious.
"They're waiting for us."
Far to the south, deep within the volcanic heart of the Phoenix Empire, a colossal black chain wrapped tighter around a magnificent crimson phoenix.
Its once-radiant fire dimmed.
Standing before it was the crowned figure in obsidian armour.
He smiled coldly.
"Three days."
"That is all the Beast Sovereign has left."
"If he fails..."
"The Second Star Fragment will belong to me."