Kena and Hope walked down the hill, the golden city shimmering far ahead. The forest thinned out, turning into open fields with tall grass.
The purple sky turned orange as the sun—or whatever passed for a sun in Velmoria—dipped low.
Kena's boots crunched on dry ground, and her stomach growled again.
She felt the ache deep in her belly, a sharp little reminder that she hadn't eaten in hours.
The air smelled fresh, like grass and dirt, but it didn't fill her up. She glanced at the city, so bright and pretty, and wondered if they'd ever get there.
"I'm hungry," she said, glaring at Hope. "Got any more of those berries?"
Her voice came out rough, almost like a bark. She didn't mean to sound so mad, but the empty feeling in her stomach made her grumpy.
Hope shook his head, his dark hair moving a little under his hood. "No. We'll find food later." His words were short, like he didn't want to talk about it.
"Later?" Kena snapped, her hands balling into fists. "I'm starving now!" She kicked a rock hard, sending it flying into the grass with a soft thud.
It felt good to kick something, even if it didn't help her hunger. Hope didn't answer, just kept walking with his long, steady steps.
She huffed, a big puff of air coming out of her mouth, and followed him. She muttered under her breath, words like "stupid" and "berries" slipping out as she stomped along.
The fields stretched on and on, quiet except for the wind. It brushed through the grass, making it sway like waves on water.
Kena's eyes darted around, looking left and right, waiting for something weird to happen.
Velmoria never stayed calm for long—she'd learned that fast. The place was full of surprises, and not the good kind.
Sure enough, a low growl rumbled behind them, deep and scary. She froze, her feet stuck to the ground like they were glued there.
"What was that?" she whispered, her voice small and shaky.
Hope turned quick, his hand dropping to his sword. "Stay back," he said.
His voice was sharp now, not calm like usual. It made her heart jump a little—he sounded serious.
Kena peeked past him, her eyes wide. Something big moved in the grass, pushing the tall blades aside.
It was a huge wolf, twice the size of any dog she'd ever seen back home. Its fur was black, dark as night, and its eyes glowed red like little fires.
Spit dripped from its jaws, wet and shiny, showing sharp teeth that looked ready to bite. It growled again, loud and deep, the sound vibrating in her chest.
"Oh, no," Kena said, stepping back slow. "That thing looks hungry."
Her voice trembled, and she hated how scared she sounded.
"It is," Hope said.
He pulled his sword out with a quick scrape of metal, the blade shining bright in the orange light.
"Get behind me." His words were firm, like an order.
Kena didn't argue. She ducked behind him fast, her heart racing like a drum in her chest.
The wolf stalked closer, its claws digging into the dirt with little puffs of dust. Then it lunged, fast as lightning, a blur of black fur and teeth.
Hope swung his sword and hit its side with a loud smack. The wolf yelped, a high, sharp sound, and jumped back, but it didn't run.
Blood dripped from its fur, dark and wet, and it snarled louder, angrier now.
"Kena, move!" Hope shouted, his voice cutting through the air.
She ran to the side, her foot catching on a rock. She tripped, falling hard on her knees, the ground rough under her hands.
The wolf's head snapped toward her, its red eyes locking on her like she was dinner. It charged, its big paws pounding the dirt.
She screamed, loud and wild, and threw herself flat on the ground. Its claws swiped the air above her, so close she felt the breeze, missing her by inches.
Hope yelled, a fierce sound, and stabbed his sword into the wolf's leg. The blade went deep, and the wolf howled, spinning to face him.
Kena scrambled up, her hands shaking like leaves in the wind.
"Kill it!" she yelled, her voice cracking.
"I'm trying," Hope said, jumping back as the wolf snapped its jaws at him.
He swung again, cutting its shoulder with a wet slice. The wolf roared, a big, awful sound, and leapt at him, knocking him down hard.
His sword flew out of his hand and landed in the grass with a soft thump, out of reach.
"No!" Kena shouted, her throat tight.
The wolf pinned Hope, its teeth inches from his mask. He grabbed its neck with both hands, holding it back, his arms straining.
The wolf was strong, pushing down hard, its spit dripping onto his cloak. Kena looked around, desperate, her eyes wild.
She saw the sword glinting in the grass and ran for it, her boots slipping a little.
Her fingers closed around the handle—it was heavy, heavier than she expected, but she lifted it with a grunt.
"Get off him!" she yelled, charging at the wolf.
She swung the sword with all her strength, her arms burning. It hit the wolf's back with a loud thud, and blood sprayed out, warm and sticky.
The wolf howled, a terrible sound, and stumbled off Hope, turning to her. Its red eyes locked on her, bright and mean, and she froze, her breath stuck in her chest.
Hope jumped up fast and grabbed the sword from her hands. "Stay back!" he said, his voice rough.
He slashed fast—once, twice—the blade flashing in the light. The wolf fell, its big body hitting the ground hard, its growls fading to silence.
Blood pooled around it, dark and thick, and its eyes went dark, no more glow.
Kena stared, breathing hard, her chest going up and down fast.
"Is it dead?" she asked, her voice shaky.
"Yes," Hope said.
He wiped the sword on the grass, the blood smearing red streaks, and slid it back into his belt with a soft click.
His cloak was torn at the edge, and his hands were scratched, little red lines on his skin, but he looked okay. He stood tall, like the fight hadn't tired him.
"You're welcome," Kena said, crossing her arms over her chest. "I saved you." She tried to sound big, but her legs still felt wobbly.
Hope's eyes crinkled behind the mask, like he was smiling a little.
"You did," he said. "Thanks." His voice was softer now, not so sharp.
Kena smirked, feeling a little proud. "Yeah, well, don't get used to it."
She brushed dirt off her jacket with quick swipes, trying to act tough. But inside, she was shaken.
That wolf could've eaten them both, torn them apart with those teeth. She shivered, pushing the thought away.
Hope checked the field, turning his head slow to look around.
"We need to move," he said. "More might come." His voice was steady again, like always.
"More?" Kena groaned, her shoulders slumping. "You've got to be kidding." She didn't want to see another wolf, not ever.
"They hunt in packs sometimes," Hope said, starting to walk. "Let's go." He moved fast, his cloak flapping a little.
Kena followed him, her legs wobbly like jelly. The golden city still glowed ahead, its light soft and warm, but it felt farther now, like it was teasing her.
The field was quiet again, the wind whispering through the grass, but she kept looking back over her shoulder, expecting another growl.
Every rustle made her jump a little. Hope walked steady, his steps sure, like nothing had happened.
She watched him, his dark shape against the orange sky, wondering how he stayed so calm. It didn't make sense.
"You're good with that sword," she said after a while, her voice cutting through the quiet. She wanted to talk, to fill the silence.
"I've had practice," Hope said. He didn't look at her, just kept walking.
"Where?" Kena asked, stepping closer. "Who are you, anyway?" She tilted her head, trying to see his face under the mask.
He didn't answer. His silence made her frown, but she let it go. She wasn't in the mood to push him.
They kept walking, the orange sky turning dark, a deep blue spreading over them. Stars popped out, bright and strange, twinkling like little lights.
Kena's stomach growled again, loud and rude, but she ignored it. She'd survived a wolf—she could handle hunger for a bit longer.
The field ended at a small stream, the water gurgling soft over rocks. Hope stopped, his boots crunching on the pebbles.
"We'll rest here," he said. "It's safe for now." He sounded sure, like he knew.
Kena sat by the water, her body tired and heavy. She plopped down on the ground, her legs stretched out.
Hope sat nearby, a little ways off, watching the dark with his sharp eyes. She looked at him, his mask a shadow in the starlight, the edges catching the faint glow.
He'd saved her again, jumping in when the wolf came. She didn't like owing him, didn't like feeling small, but she was glad he was there.
The night was cool, the air brushing her face, and she pulled her jacket tighter. The stream bubbled, a gentle sound, and she let it calm her.
They sat there, quiet, the stars above them big and bright. Kena's hands rested in her lap, still a little shaky from the fight.
She glanced at Hope again, his shape still and strong. He didn't say much, but he didn't need to.
She felt safer with him around, even if she wouldn't admit it out loud.
The golden city waited ahead, and she wondered what else they'd face before they got there.
For now, though, she just breathed, letting the night settle around them.