In the heart of the city, Chris and his team were locked in a fierce struggle against an onslaught of werewolves. Its streets had become a dangerous battleground, but they were relieved that their urgent warning to the city's residents to seek shelter indoors had been heeded.
The hunters could only imagine the disaster if the powerless citizens had been caught in the chaos. Despite this relief, casualties on their side were mounting, while the werewolf horde seemed endless. Though Chris and his crew were skilled hunters, the werewolves' regenerative abilities made them difficult to defeat even with the silver weapon they had. Chris, unable to rely on his charm ability, was forced to depend solely on his swordsmanship to battle the beasts.
With their leader's key ability rendered ineffective, many of the hunters—most without supernatural gifts—had sustained injuries, some severe. Yet, despite their overwhelming disadvantages, they all continued to fight valiantly for the city and its people. True to their hunter's code, they refused to retreat, knowing that fleeing would tarnish their reputation. In this battle, survival or death were their only options.
As the battle raged on, the situation grew more dire by the second. The cries of his team echoed in Chris's ears. He even saw one of his teammates, a young woman, being dragged away by a snarling werewolf.
The werewolves seemed to multiply endlessly, their howls reverberating through the night. Chris knew he had to act quickly or risk losing his entire team. With a surge of adrenaline, he launched himself at the nearest pack, determined to take down as many as possible. His sword clashed against claws and thick hides, each strike aimed at their vulnerable necks—the most effective way to bring them down.
Emboldened by their leader's bravery, his team rallied. They moved as one—a well-honed unit anticipating each other's actions, flanking, covering, and striking with ruthless precision. They began to push back the werewolves, but suddenly, a monstrous howl pierced through the chaos, sending shivers down their spines. A larger, more ferocious werewolf broke through their defenses and lunged at Chris with terrifying speed, its claws outstretched.
Chris barely parried the ones that were fatal with his sword, yet the final slashing blow sent him arching through the air. Desperate cries erupted from his crew. "Sir Chris!" their voices strained with worry, but there was no reprieve. Each member was locked in their own battle, fighting for survival. The weight of worry over Chris's fate and the overwhelming pressure of the attack slowed their minds and bodies, causing their once-coordinated efforts to falter.
Chris crashed into the ground far from his original position, pain radiating through his body. His armor clattered around him, leaving him vulnerable and exposed, his body riddled with wounds from the blows he hadn't been able to block. Blood splattered the ground where he landed, painting an eerie scene.
He found himself struggling to stand, his vision hazy. Chris checked his body for fatal injuries. His armor had been shredded, but his wounds, though severe, weren't life-threatening. He began tending to them, but before he could finish, he noticed a pair of large, red eyes staring at him from the darkness.
Instinctively, Chris raised his sword, bracing for another fight. But to his horror, more pairs of glowing eyes appeared in the shadows. Desperate for help, Chris sounded his horn, signaling for assistance. Noticing that they were discovered and their prey's apparent plea, the werewolves howled, seemingly sounding like the laughter of hyenas. They then began to close in on him, with Chris valiantly welcoming them.
Chris grinned grimly, wishing he had a shield as he prepared for the onslaught. He fended off their initial attacks with his sword, but two more werewolves flanked him, ready to strike. Just as he was about to be overwhelmed, two figures swooped in to defend him. To his immense relief, it was Zaell and Eijay.
One was able to block the attack on the left side using his unusual ability that could turn his shield into smaller or its original size at ease, while the other, a sorcerer who also happened to be a half-giant, decided to skip the spell for now and just used his massive hands to stop the werewolf's paws on the right. Then Chris heard the cries of werewolves falling, and saw that Paul, Rhyz, and Jeyel had successfully defeated the other werewolves. The trio then went to regroup with them.
"Nice timing, boys!" Chris called out, pride in his voice. Despite having injuries of their own, Chris felt assurance from the group of young lads that seemed to also have assured him he need not fear any longer.
"You should tend to your wounds, Sir. We'll cover you," Paul said, who was now hovering above them and expertly shooting arrows that struck their targets, slowing the werewolves' advance.
Eijay cast a spell, summoning a firefly-like light to reveal their hidden enemies. When they were located, he called down lightning from the clouds. Though not fatal to the werewolves, the surge was enough to stun them.
Rhyz and Jeyel then seized the opportunity, swiftly dispatching the paralyzed beasts. Zaell stood guard near Chris, defending him while the others took the offensive. When some werewolves surged forward, he hurled pebbles from his pouch that transformed into boulders, stopping their advance.
Paul, from above, rained down arrows until his quiver was empty. Pressing a button on his prosthetic legs, he activated blades that extended from the ends. Like a hawk, he mimicked the hunting techniques he had observed from them in his village. He then dove into the fray, using his bladed legs to decapitate werewolves in mid-flight.
Time passed by. With Chris having his injuries tended to, they all decided to move. Even though they managed to kill some werewolves, most were still able to come back to life. They regrouped with Chris' crew, who rejoiced at seeing their leader.
It seemed that after their leader, Chris, disappeared, the alpha had led most of the pack away, allowing the hunters to secure the location. Yet, amidst the relief, sorrow hung over the group. "Sir, we regret to inform you… Han, Duke, and Chi Chi didn't make it," one of the hunters reported.
Despite his grief, Chris knew they couldn't afford to mourn while the enemy still lurked. He used his charm ability to lift their spirits.
After a while, Paul descended and unclasped the blade from his prosthetic legs. He then inquired, "Sir, do you have any extra arrows? I've used all of mine."
Chris gestured toward the nearby barrel and said, "Feel free to take what you need. We have plenty to spare. It's a silver-tipped arrow. It will give you an advantage in defeating them."
Paul grabbed a handful and took to the sky. His first shot hit a werewolf on a rooftop, piercing its chest. To his astonishment, the creature didn't regenerate. Returning to the group, Paul beamed. "It worked! But why didn't you tell us earlier?"
"Apologies, I forgot that you weren't in yesterday's meeting," Chris admitted.
Rhyz asked, "Sir, do you happen to have any spare silver ore or bars?"
Chris nodded. "In that crate."
Rhyz quickly grabbed a handful of silver bars and asked Eijay to assist in melting them down. After the silver was transformed into a liquid state, he meticulously coated the tips of his bullets with it. Meanwhile, Jeyel also joined in, applying the molten silver to his katana, despite knowing that it might reduce its sharpness, and then using his ice manipulation abilities to rapidly cool it.
Soon after, they resumed the hunt. Rhyz teleported to the nearby werewolf and shot it once; it fell and stopped moving. Jeyel swiftly followed, slicing the beast in half, ensuring it was completely dead.
They could only stare in disbelief as though all their past efforts to kill one were in vain. Nevertheless, they reported back to their brothers, overjoyed. Eijay and Zaell smiled as they watched their brothers work. "With this, we'll win," they said confidently.
And with that, Chris and his team, together with the brothers, engaged the werewolves once more. With their unwavering teamwork and courageous determination, they swiftly vanquished the last of the werewolves lurking in the city.
As the battle ended, the moon still hung high in the sky, but to them, it felt like days had passed. They rested in the heart of the city, tending to their wounds.
Out of the shadows, a figure clad in golden armor emerged. Chris recognized the aging King Lobo, his white hair and weathered complexion unmistakable. Flames flickered across the king's body as he approached silently.
"Your Majesty," Chris began, confused, "what brings you here?"
Without a word, King Lobo thrust his blazing fiery claws into Chris's chest. The knight gasped, shock and pain spreading through his body. He hadn't seen the attack coming. As flames reflected in his eyes, Chris crumpled to the ground, his life fading with his last breath. King Lobo stood over him, his fiery form casting an ominous glow over the battlefield.