The Alphas Reincarnation Stats of a Wolf

The Descent of Shadows

The silence that followed Ardent's departure was deafening. The battlefield, once alive with chaos, now felt hollow, its air heavy with uncertainty. Ryu gritted his teeth, his claws trembling at his sides.

"What just happened?" he growled, turning his furious gaze toward Daegan.

Daegan leaned lazily against the shattered remains of a tree, his crimson eyes gleaming with dark amusement. "Oh, you poor, naive fools," he said with a mocking grin. "You've just witnessed the beginning of the end. But don't worry, it'll all make sense soon enough—when the shadows engulf everything you hold dear."

Kierra stepped forward, her daggers still at the ready, though her stance betrayed her unease. "What did the shadow master mean? What does Ardent know that we don't?"

Daegan's grin widened, and he tapped a finger against the glowing chains that bound him. "Now, now, Kierra. Some truths are better left undiscovered. But since I enjoy watching you squirm, I'll give you a hint—Ardent isn't the hero you think he is."

Ryu lunged at him, claws slicing through the air, but the chains around Daegan flared with dark energy, forming a barrier that repelled the attack. The impact sent Ryu stumbling back, his frustration boiling over.

Daegan tilted his head, his grin unwavering. "Oh, I could tell you everything, but where's the fun in that? Besides, it wouldn't change a thing. Ardent's already chosen his side."

Ryu clenched his fists, the ground cracking beneath his feet. "He hasn't chosen anything! He's one of us, and whatever's happening, we'll bring him back."

"Will you?" Daegan replied, his voice dripping with mockery. "Do you even know what you're up against? The shadow master is no ordinary foe. He doesn't command; he influences. And once you've tasted his power, it's nearly impossible to turn away."

The Elder stepped forward, his staff glowing faintly as he studied Daegan with a calm yet stern expression. "You underestimate the strength of unity, Daegan. Ardent may be walking a dangerous path, but he is not lost to us. We will find him and bring him back—no matter what it takes."

Daegan laughed, a sharp, grating sound. "Oh, you truly believe that, don't you? Fine, go ahead and chase your fallen comrade. But know this: the closer you get to the shadow master, the harder it will be to resist his call. You'll see. Soon enough, you'll all see."

The chains binding him suddenly flared with dark energy, and Daegan's body dissolved into smoke, his laughter echoing across the battlefield.

A Time for Decisions

The group stood in tense silence, the weight of Daegan's words hanging over them like a storm cloud. Ryu turned to the Elder, his frustration evident. "What now? Ardent just walked off with our enemy, and we're stuck here doing nothing!"

The Elder closed his eyes, taking a deep breath as he planted his staff into the ground. "We must regroup and prepare. The shadow master's appearance was no accident—it was a warning. And Ardent's actions, though troubling, may hold the key to understanding his motives."

Kierra sheathed her daggers, her brow furrowed. "Do you think he's been planning this all along? Or… was this something he was forced into?"

The Elder shook his head. "It's impossible to say. But one thing is certain—Ardent is connected to the shadow master in a way we don't yet understand. Until we uncover the truth, we must tread carefully."

Ryu scowled, his claws retracting as he turned away. "We don't have time to 'tread carefully.' If Ardent's in danger, we need to act now. Waiting around isn't going to save him."

"And rushing in without a plan will get us all killed," the Elder countered, his voice firm. "You saw the power the shadow master wielded. If we confront him without understanding what we're up against, we won't stand a chance."

Kierra placed a hand on Ryu's shoulder, her expression softening. "I get it, Ryu. I do. But the Elder's right. We need to figure out what's really going on before we make our move. Otherwise, we're just playing into their hands."

Ryu hesitated, his gaze flickering between Kierra and the Elder. Finally, he exhaled sharply and nodded. "Fine. But if we're doing this, we need to move fast. Ardent might not have much time."

The Next Step

The group began their journey back to the nearby village, where the Elder promised they could find answers. The trek was tense, each member lost in their thoughts as the events of the battle replayed in their minds.

As they approached the village gates, a figure stepped out of the shadows to greet them—a young man with sharp features and a faint aura of energy radiating from his body.

"Zephyr," the Elder said, his tone a mix of relief and surprise. "You've returned."

Zephyr nodded, his piercing blue eyes scanning the group. "I felt the disturbance from miles away. The shadow master has made his move, hasn't he?"

Ryu stepped forward, his frustration boiling over. "We don't need another lecture, Zephyr. If you've got something useful to say, spit it out."

Zephyr raised an eyebrow but didn't rise to the bait. "Patience, Ryu. You're not the only one who's angry. But if we're going to face the shadow master, we'll need more than brute strength. We need knowledge—and I might have just the thing to help us."

Kierra folded her arms, her skepticism clear. "What are you talking about?"

Zephyr reached into his cloak and pulled out a small, glowing crystal. "This. It's a fragment of the shadow master's power—something I managed to recover during my last encounter with him. With this, we might be able to understand the nature of his influence over Ardent."

The Elder's eyes widened as he stepped closer. "This… could change everything. If we can study its energy, we may be able to find a way to counter the shadows entirely."

Ryu crossed his arms, his skepticism mirroring Kierra's. "And how do we know this isn't some kind of trap?"

Zephyr's expression darkened. "Because I've already paid the price for it. If we don't use this to our advantage, the next battle will be our last."

The group exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of their decision pressing down on them. Finally, the Elder nodded. "Very well. We'll study the crystal and prepare for what's to come. But we must act quickly—the shadow master won't give us another chance."

As they entered the village, the faint glow of the crystal seemed to pulse in time with the group's determination. The battle against the shadows was far from over, but for the first time, a glimmer of hope began to shine through the darkness.

"Enough games, Daegan!" Ryu snarled. "If you know something, then start talking!"

Daegan tilted his