Chapter 31 – Watchers in the White

  Seven – Northern Wastes, Same Night

  The stillness of the night felt almost otherworldly.

  Nestled in a crumbling ruin, Seven huddled close to himself, his warmth dwindling alongside the embers of the fire that had flickered out many hours ago. He held his rifle loosely in one hand, its weight a comforting reminder of his resolve.

  He had chosen silence over flames, especially after the eerie sounds had echoed through the darkness.

  It began with a haunting howl.

  Not that of a wolf.

  This was something deeper, wetter, more ragged—like the desperate cries of a creature past its limits.

  Then came an answering howl, closer and more intense.

  In a heartbeat, he had doused the flickering embers, feeling the ashes and snow hiss beneath his fingers. He kept his gaze fixed on the outside world through a jagged gap in the wall, every shallow breath mingling with the thunderous thumping of his heart.

  Something was out there… No, many somethings.

  They were hidden from his sight, yet he could sense their presence.

  An instinct stirred within him, faint but fierce—a reminder from a time when his life had hung in the balance at Saya’s mercy.

  Don’t move. Don’t breathe. Don’t die.

  Straining to listen, he heard the crunch of snow—delicate, careful footsteps, as if whatever approached was aware of the need to remain unseen.

  And yet it was enormous.

  Another sound pierced the air—a gurgling shriek that abruptly ended with a sickening crunch. Something significant had met its end.

  Seven felt the tension lock his muscles; he was utterly still.

  Then… silence, but it wasn’t the kind that brought relief.

  This silence was alive and hunting.

  Suddenly, he spotted them.

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  Just beyond the treeline, halfway up the ridge—

  Eyes.

  Three pairs.

  Glowing faintly—red-gold, pale silver, and dull amber. They were impressive and chilling, reflections of predator instinct refined into an eerie presence. And still, an unsettling quiet surrounded them.

  No footsteps.

  No breathing.

  Just the restless wind and those fiery orbs piercing the night like spirits of the wilderness.

  With trembling hands, Seven remained frozen, unable to move or even blink.

  Then, the eyes shifted.

  Not toward him—away.

  He heard the faint sound of something massive being dragged, flesh grating over snow, bones shifting with weight and purpose.

  Whatever had been hunting… had found its prey.

  And it was taking it home.

  Northern Ridge – Patrol Route 12

  The remains of the W.M.B.—a horned frost-lurker—lay still on the snowy ground, its once vibrant white-blue fur now charred by sigil-fire. Wisps of blackened blood mingled with the cold air as Gorm sheathed his cleaver-axe with a satisfied grunt.

  “Finally! This’ll feed half the squad. Or maybe just me if Narina decides to lecture again,” he said, a grin creeping across his face.

  As they gathered around the fallen beast, Nieko crouched low, tucking her wrist blades away as she inspected the body. Her silver eyes shimmered as she noted, “No signs of decay. It’s still fresh.”

  Just then, Narina landed gracefully beside them, her crimson scarf billowing behind like a striking banner.

  “Let’s cook it fast. We can’t linger here,” she urged, her amber-gold eyes narrowing as she scanned the horizon.

  “There’s something unusual,” she added, her voice steady yet laced with concern.

  Gorm raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Do you sense something?”

  “No, nothing specific,” she replied, but her posture was tense.

  Nieko’s veil hood shimmered as she rose. “It’s eerie. No other creatures nearby. No wind. And no mana trails.”

  Narina’s expression sharpened. “We might be watched. Maybe it’s prey, but it could also be something else. Just stay alert.”

  They chose not to descend the slope, sensing an unseen presence.

  They didn’t find Seven—not yet.

  His mana was faint, and the cold masked his scent amidst the snow.

  And like shadows, they slipped away without a sound.

  Back at the Ruin – Moments Later

  Seven let out a slow breath, relieved at the silence. They were gone now.

  He wasn’t sure how long he had held his breath, or if he might have embarrassed himself in the process.

  But he was certain—they hadn’t spotted him.

  Though he hadn’t caught a glimpse of their faces or forms, he had witnessed their glowing eyes, piercing through the white landscape.

  Deep down, he sensed something profound. They weren’t monsters or beasts—they were people. Just not of his kind.

  He remained hidden until the stars began to fade from the sky.

  Northern Perimeter – Temporary Patrol Camp

  The fire crackled cheerfully beneath a hefty iron pot, with pieces of frost-lurker meat simmering inside, filling the area with a mouthwatering aroma. Nestled in a rocky alcove surrounded by frost-kissed trees, the campsite was a well-kept secret—no smoke betrayed their presence, and the quietude wrapped them like a warm blanket.

  Gorm sat cross-legged, meticulously carving char marks off his cleaver while chewing contentedly. Nieko crouched thoughtfully beside a rune map, tracing perimeter glyphs with her blade tip.

  Narina stood apart, arms crossed, her yellow-streaked scarf dancing gently in the breeze. Her gaze was fixed on the western slope they’d just patrolled.

  She appeared deep in thought.

  “Looks like you’re brooding again,” Gorm joked, half-smiling through his bites.

  “I’m not brooding,” Narina replied, but the furrow in her brows suggested otherwise.

  “Then who are you glaring at? The snow?”

  Narina took a moment before speaking, her expression serious. “There was something else out there.”

  Nieko looked up, her curiosity piqued. “We would’ve felt it. No mana spike, no ambient Aether. Just the beast.”

  “That’s the concern,” Narina replied firmly. “Something was present without leaving a trace.”

  She reached into her pouch, retrieving a flare bead and brushing her thumb over it, but she held off on activating it. Not yet.

  “It’s not something I’d report to Lady Lumin, but it’s concerning. Like stepping into a den devoid of life, yet the bones are fresh.”

  Nieko stood up slowly, her expression tinged with realization. “You believe we were being watched?”

  Narina locked eyes with her. “I’m certain of it.”

  Gorm chuckled lightly, a hint of bravado in his tone. “Then let’s go back and see what we can find!”

  “No,” she said with firm resolve. “We stick to the plan and return to the northern border as we’re ordered. If it’s clever enough to stay hidden, I want to know what it’s waiting for.”

  Narina threw a final look towards the slope, where a half-starved, frostbitten human unknowingly evaded three of the Aku's most skilled scouts.

  A determined glint crossed her gaze.

  “For the next sweep, we’ll double the perimeter.”

  Nieko didn’t respond, but her pale eyes lingered on the flickering edge of the rune map, where a faint disruption pulsed briefly—then vanished.

  With quiet determination, she marked the coordinates for future reference.