A sinister silence fell upon the mountain ridge. Streaks of violet and gold filled the sky as the sun descended behind the forest.

  His heartbeat hammered, torn between fear and determination, echoing in his ears. Knuckles turning white, InuShin tightened his grip on his tantō as he tried to steel his rattling nerves.

  “They’re between us and the Kobrrev,” Edrimar said, igniting the tip of his spear in flames. “We eliminate them, and we can further our unity.”

  A soft, collective hiss came from deep within the forest, mixed with a rattling sound, like a loud buzzing.

  Emerging from the treeline, the lithe physique of the Gr?nnage slithered into the opening. Slender and terrifyingly silent. Their scales, a mixture of various shades of green from emerald, and jade, to mossy hues, glimmered in the flickering lights of Edrimar and the Skifulv’s flames. Deep green hair slicked back to the base of their neck.

  Approaching, movement like liquid shadows, the golden vertical slits of their eyes shifting between each member of the defence. Their forked tongues wiggled, tasting the emotions in the air. Off-white fangs appeared within the darkness.

  InuShin’s senses heightened; the smell of damp earth, taste of static charge in the air, and vibration through his soles. Never before has he seen anything like them.

  “Remember, their strength is in their reach,” he muttered. “Don’t let them coil around you or catch you in their vines.”

  Before InuShin could speak, the earth erupted. Thick vines whipped from the soil, snapping toward them with an echoing crack.

  Rolling out of the way, the ground tore open where he stood. The vines writhed, slick with a mysterious substance.

  Firm grip on the tantō, he sliced through the vines, each piece falling to the ground.

  Stepping forward, Edrimar struck his staff to the ground, a burst of fire roared outward, searing the first wave of attackers. The light illuminated dozens more figures slithering through the underbush.

  “How many are there?” InuShin asked.

  “The amount doesn’t matter, only that we defeat them.”

  The Gr?nnage countered immediately.

  One inhaled sharply, spitting out a fine liquid of poison. Another extended her arm, the vines along her body uncoiling and snapping toward InuShin like living whips. A third called to the earth, roots burst upward, snaring his ankles.

  InuShin screamed as the toxins burned his skin. As he raised his free arm to attack with his tantō, another vine whipped out, trapping it over his head.

  Oh no. His eyes widened as one of the Gr?nnage stalked closer, fangs bared.

  Edrimar’s spear pierced the enemy’s scaled flesh, pushing it off the edge of the ridge. Engulfing his hand in flames, he severed the vines entrapping InuShin.

  Marks of red lingered around his wrist, stinging intensely.

  “Work together. Match rhythm, not strength,” he ordered, setting his spear tip ablaze once more. “Use your water on my spear.”

  “Won’t that put it out?”

  “Trust me.”

  Inhaling deeply, InuShin channeled his energy, forming a coiled stream of water around his arm and then extending it into Edrimar’s spear tip. A billow of steam surrounded their side of the ridge, shrouding them.

  “Keep your senses sharp,” he said.

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  The mist hid them as well as their enemies. A weapon and a curse. The air thickened with heat and mist, swallowing the light of the elements and their sounds alike. Numerous shadows shifted within, as if ready to strike at any moment.

  InuShin crouched low, his heartbeat steadying as droplets rolled down his face. The Gr?nnage’s whispers were drowned out by the steaming water. Darting his eyes between each shadow, they wiggled. Closer or further, InuShin couldn’t tell.

  Suddenly, a shriek echoed as a volley of arrows came raining down on the other end. Each with a streak of yellow or light blue as they left a trail of static electricity in their path.

  “Good. The archers arrived.” Edrimar grinned. “They’ll be a big help keeping them at bay.”

  “Do you think they’ll stop?”

  “Only for now, but they’re not going to give up.”

  His ear twitched to the light step behind him, mixed with a ripple of scales. Spinning around, InuShin thrusted his hand outward, sending his coil of water.

  Like a blade, it cut through the fog and pierced his target. A cry rang, brief and guttural, as the creature fell to the ground.

  Frozen, he stared. Did I just kill him?

  “Good work.”

  A hiss. Closer.

  A blur lunged from the steam, its body coiling midair, fangs bared.

  Edrimar rushed towards InuShin, firm grip on his spear. As he pierced the torso of the serpent, its fangs sank deep into his shoulder.

  The sound was sickening.

  Clenching his jaw, Edrimar tightened his grip and engulfed the enemy’s torso in flames, forcing it to release its hold and squirm onto the ground until Edrimar shoved it off the edge.

  “Edrimar!” InuShin rushed, crouching beside him.

  Black venom seeped from the wound, hissing where it touched the air. His breath shortened. Heavier.

  Bracing himself with his staff, he held his ground. “Don’t stop fighting,” he snapped, eyes filled with determination. “I’m not going to fall. Not to a bunch of Gr?nnage.”

  “But you’re…”

  “Focus!”

  Illuminated by stray sparks and glowing scales, the steam swirled. More Gr?nnage slithered through the fog, their bodies weaving between the roots like a mossy stream.

  InuShin’s pulse echoed in his ears. Closing his eyes, he drew upon the energy within him, letting instinct take control.

  A vine whipped towards him and he quickly sliced it with his tantō.

  Edrimar’s fire flared out the corner of his eye. Uneven, but fierce. Each swing of his staff filled with gritted defiance. His movements were slower, yet he refused to yield.

  The steam thinned, drifting like ribbons in the breeze and revealed the bodies of fallen Skifulv and Gr?nnage. Splattered blood covered the ground, weapons, and individuals. Devastating. Saddening.

  When did they fall? I couldn’t see anything except what was near me and Edrimar. Tears pooling, InuShin’s stomach plummeted as if he was going to hurl. The energy welled inside him: electricity flickered between his fingers, the ground rumbled beneath him, air whipped his hair around, fire burned his chest, and water circulated around him. Is this what I should expect? All these people dying?

  One more Gr?nnage stood, its eyes glowing a deep crimson. Hauntingly different from the rest. Without taking its gaze off him, it slithered back into the forest, vanishing.

  “InuShin, calm yourself.” Edrimar stumbled, clutching his shoulder. The venom’s glow traced faint lines beneath his skin like dark lightning.

  Rushing to his side, InuShin sheathed his tantō and then positioned himself underneath Edrimar’s good yet clammy arm. “You need he…”

  “No,” Edrimar said, voice quiet but firm. “Let me stand on my own.”

  Stepping away from InuShin, he braced his weight with his staff, breathing slow. Deliberate. His fire still burned at the staff’s tip. Small, but scrappy. “We won this battle, but the war’s not over.”

  “Why did you protect me? Why did you have us create a mist? We could’ve seen them better without it. We could’ve avoided their attacks.”

  “I’ll be fine, it’s not the first time I’ve been bitten.” Mustering up his strength, he pushed himself back towards the mountain, the remaining Skifulv leading the way.

  “Edrimar, answer me,” InuShin said, voice stern. “Why did you have us create a mist?”

  Finding a broad root, Edrimar took a seat, landing roughly. “To protect your eyes… from the horrors of war.”

  “If you didn’t want me to see it, then why did you bring me out here?”

  “Complicated,” Edrimar said, wincing from the venom. “Your eyes still carry an innocence, yet you remind me of my son. Same restless spirit. Always reaching for something just beyond his grasp.”

  InuShin’s mouth fell open, staring at the once stoic man, now vulnerable. “I didn’t know you had a son.”

  “Had.” His gaze softened, a subtle film coating his eyes. “A daughter too. But I lost them and my partner during the war of the tribes…” His shoulders rose and fell slowly. “Fire’s a cruel teacher. It forges and devours in equal measure. It’s taken more from me than it’s given… but it’s all I have left.”

  The words sunk into him, deeper than any blade possibly could. His chest tightened, warm and aching.

  “That’s why I push you,” Edrimar said. “Guide you. I couldn’t save them… but maybe, by forging you into something stronger, I can make peace with what I failed to protect.”

  Is this a final confession? Or just the poison finally breaking his inner walls? Reaching out, he pressed his hand against Edrimar’s forehead, a fever quikly form.

  “I’m fine,” he weakly swatted InuShin’s hand away.

  For a short time, neither of them spoke, letting the silence take its place. Not uncomfortable, but heavy with unspoken stories.

  “Your fighting reminds me of your mother,” Edrimar said “Grace in chaos.”

  Grinning, InuShin nodded pride filled his chest.

  The jungle’s hum returned, quiet and rhythmic.

  As InuShin opened his mouth, Edrimar filled the void.

  “Come.” Gripping his staff, he slowly pulled himself back to his feet. “The others will worry. Maelira will scold me if I keep you out too long.”

  Standing up, InuShin said. “I’ll help you walk.”

  Edrimar gave a sidelong glance, half a smirk ghosting across his lips. “You’ll try to help me walk. ”

  Together, they made their way through the narrow passageway. The voices of the Skifulv shouting in victory as they relay the battle inside.

  Is it really a victory when people die? Or is it something they tell themselves for comfort? InuShin examined the pinkish mark on his wrist. I got lucky again. Who knows how long my luck will last.