2. Thalos

2

THALOS

T he forest is eerily silent, save for the heavy footfalls of my brothers and me as we hunt. My massive form cuts through the wilderness like a beast unleashed, every step calculated, every muscle coiled and ready. Irix moves beside me, his breathing steady but charged with anticipation. His hand grips the hilt of a broad-bladed axe, muscles twitching with eagerness.

"Stay sharp," I murmur.

"Always am," Irix replies, a feral grin splitting his face. He waves his ax as if imagining taking down his prey in front of him.

The smell of our prey—some wild beast—hangs in the air, thick and tantalizing. My nostrils flare, drinking it in, but there's something else. Something off.

Kael lingers behind us, quieter than usual. His sharp eyes scan the undergrowth. He draws in a long breath and stops abruptly.

"Thalos," he says, voice barely above a whisper. "Human blood."

I halt, my senses sharpening to a razor's edge. "Are you sure?"

He nods, eyes narrowing. "Fresh."

Irix growls low in his throat. "Lost traveler or a trap? Some of our enemies love using human baits. One can’t even fill my stomach; they’re too small for my taste."

"Only one way to find out." I motion for Kael to take point. He moves forward, every step silent and deliberate.

We follow him through the dense foliage, my mind racing with possibilities. Human blood in our territory? It could mean many things—none of them good.

As we move toward the smell of human blood, a sudden rustle catches my attention. I raise a hand, signaling a halt. My eyes narrow, scanning the shadows. “A prey is close,” I growl, voice low and measured.

Irix’s lips curl into a grin, eager for any challenge. “Let the beasts come. I’ve been itching for a fight.”

Kael frowns, glancing at Irix. “We should focus on the human first. The scent is strong; they’re wounded.”

Irix shrugs, his grin never faltering. “A hunt’s a hunt. Humans be damned. Besides, who gets the bigger prey wins tonight's spoils. I would love to take the bigger portion.”

I snort at their banter but keep my focus sharp. “Enough talk. We flank it. Kael to the left, Irix to the right. We’ll deal with the human later.”

Kael, with a solemn face, nodded, followed by grinning Irix.

With precision, we spread out, moving like shadows through the dense underbrush. Each step is deliberate, each breath controlled. The wilds are our domain, and we know every inch of it.

Kael moves to the left, silent and methodical, his bag ready with his healing herbs and tools—just in case. Irix takes the right flank, axe at the ready, muscles taut with anticipation.

A rustling in the distance snaps our attention forward. I signal for silence with a raised fist. My deep voice rumbles through the stillness, “Here it comes. Ready…"

Irix's eyes gleam with excitement, asking in a playful tone, "Ready to see who gets the prize?"

"Focus," I command, though a hint of amusement tugs at my lips.

The underbrush parts ahead of us as something massive moves through it. The air grows thick with tension, each heartbeat echoing like thunder in my ears.

Kael crouches low, eyes darting between us and the approaching beast. "Stay alert."

"I am," Irix mutters back, grip tightening on his weapon.

Every muscle in my body coils like a spring, ready to release as we prepare to face whatever comes our way.

And then it breaks through the foliage—a hulking shadow moving with deadly grace. Its horn is sharp, pointing at us as if it anticipated their presence.

"Now," I whisper, and we move as one.

The forest explodes into violence as the beast lunges at us. Its eyes blaze with fury, and its claws tear through the air, aiming for our throats. It whips its head toward us. But Irix is quicker.

With a roar, he swings his axe, the blade slicing through the creature’s side with a brutal swipe. Blood sprays, painting the leaves crimson.

Irix grins, teeth bared in savage delight. "Not so tough now, are you?"

The beast howls in pain but isn’t finished yet. It swipes at Irix, claws grazing his arm, but he doesn’t flinch. Instead, he twists away, readying for another strike.

Kael moves in silently from the side, his own axe glinting in the dappled light. He’s always been the quiet one, but in battle, he’s as deadly as any of us. His movements are precise and calculated. He waits for the perfect moment, then drives his axe into the beast’s neck with a swift, deadly strike.

The creature staggers, blood gushing from its wounds. Kael pulls his axe free and steps back, giving Irix room to deliver the final blow.

Irix doesn’t hesitate. He brings his axe down with a powerful swing that cleaves through bone and sinew. The beast collapses with a final gurgle, its lifeblood soaking into the forest floor.

I stand back, watching with satisfaction as my brothers finish the kill. They work well together—Kael’s precision balancing Irix’s brute force. It’s a dance they’ve perfected over countless battles. I didn’t even have to lift a finger. Seeing them grow to be fine warriors brings me much joy. After all, we only have each other.

"Good work," I say as they step away from the carcass.

Irix wipes his axe on the grass and grins at me. "Told you I’d get it."

Kael merely nods, already turning his attention back to our surroundings. Ever vigilant.

"Stay sharp. Now, let’s deal with the human," I murmur again, more to myself than to them.

I take a deep breath, trying to pinpoint the source of the human blood smell. Where is it coming from?

The forest is quiet now, save for the distant rustle of leaves and the occasional bird call. But beneath it all is that unmistakable scent—faint but persistent.

I narrow my eyes, scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. We came here for a hunt, but it seems we’ve stumbled onto something far more complicated.

And I intend to find out what it is.