Rose, Alice, Ed, and Victoria had been sparring in the open field, honing their skills and testing the limits of their new classes before facing the Spider Queen quest. The afternoon sun cast long shadows as they exchanged blows and practiced their abilities. Sinclair had left them about four or five hours ago, and the lack of any update from him was starting to gnaw at them.

During a break, Rose took a long drink from her water bottle, her eyes drifting toward the house. "With his endurance score, I doubt he's still sleeping. Wonder what he's up to," she said, her gaze lingering.

Alice, standing beside her, smirked and elbowed her lightly. "Thinking about him in his bedroom, huh? So dirty!"

The comment landed as Rose took another gulp of water, causing her to snort it out through her nose in a spray. She doubled over, coughing as the water burned through her sinuses.

Ed was bent over, clutching his sides as he laughed uncontrollably. Victoria stepped in, patting Rose firmly on the back to help clear her airways. Rose straightened up, wiping her face with the back of her hand, her glare cutting toward Alice.

"I'm going to murder you," Rose rasped, her voice hoarse as she tried to recover.

Alice took a step back, bouncing lightly on her toes. "You'll have to catch me first, lead foot," she teased, darting further away. Her agility-heavy build gave her the upper hand in speed, and she grinned at the thought of staying out of Rose's reach.

Victoria sighed, stepping between them to diffuse the brewing chase. "How about we spar for a couple more hours? Then we'll grab some dinner. If Sinclair still isn't up by then, we can check on him."

Rose straightened fully, her glare fading into reluctant agreement as she stretched her arms. "Fine. But Alice is sparring with me first," she said, a dangerous edge creeping into her tone.

Alice's grin faltered slightly, but she shrugged. "Bring it on," she said, stepping into the sparring circle, her feet light and ready. The group returned to their practice, the afternoon filled with the clash of training weapons and the steady rhythm of exertion.

The clash of training weapons echoed through the clearing as Rose, Alice, Ed, and Victoria continued sparring. Each bout pushed their limits, testing their new skills and adapting to their strengths and weaknesses. Sweat slicked their skin, and the steady rhythm of exertion filled the air.

*****

In the shade of a towering oak, three Forest Wolves lay resting. Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy above, dappling their coats in patches of light and shadow. One of the brothers paced back and forth, his tail flicking in agitation, ears twitching with every distant sound.

"Sister, how long should we wait before seeking out our bond? It has already been a day. Let's go find them," he said, his tone sharp with impatience.

The sister lifted her head, her yellow eyes locking onto him. "You've already asked twice. We wait, as the Wolf Lord instructed."

The other brother stretched out on his side, his paws resting limply. "Why wait? We were summoned. What if they need us out there?" His voice carried an edge of worry.

The sister sat up, shaking out her coat and looking between them. "Because we were given orders by a Wolf Lord. Not from fear, but respect. We wait. That is what he asked of us."

The pacing brother stopped, his ears flattening slightly. "We don't even know who summoned us," he muttered. "What if they're weak, or reckless?"

"Then it's our job to make them stronger," the sister replied. "The Wolf Lord trusted us to listen. We owe him that."

The brother who had been lying down rose slowly, stretching his legs before stepping into the middle. "She's right. We wait. When the time comes, we'll answer."

The restless brother huffed but sat down, his tail curling around his paws. "Fine. But if we don't hear anything soon, I'm going."

The sister's gaze lingered on him for a moment before softening. "We'll know when it's time. Until then, be patient."

The three wolves settled back into their positions, ears alert as they waited, their bond palpable in the stillness beneath the oak.

Morning turned into afternoon, the sun creeping higher in the sky and casting long shadows through the trees. The restless brother finally stood, shaking out his coat. "I've waited long enough," he said, his voice firm. Without waiting for a reply, he started walking in a determined stride toward the village.

His sister sighed, rising to her feet. "You're impossible," she muttered, following after him. The second brother hesitated briefly before joining them, though his steps were reluctant. "Might as well," he said, catching up. None of them were truly surprised at the decision; the pull had been growing stronger for hours.

Their progress through Wolf's Run was slow and deliberate, their senses tuned to the unseen force guiding them. They passed unfamiliar landmarks, weaving between trees and stepping over uneven ground. The village was quiet, its buildings and paths a sharp contrast to the wild energy coursing through the three siblings.

Eventually, they came to a small field where four humans sparred, their laughter and teasing filling the air as they tested each other's skills. The sister froze as her gaze landed on one of them, a man wielding a club. Something inside her stirred, a deep and powerful connection she couldn't explain.

Her brothers stopped beside her, their fur bristling slightly as they too focused on the man. The sibling bond that had always been their strongest tie now felt like a mere thread compared to this overwhelming pull.

The man turned slowly, as if sensing their presence. His movements were halting at first, his gaze flickering between them. The sister took a step forward, her eyes locked onto his.

"What is going on here?" she murmured, her mental voice steady despite the storm building within her.

*****

Victoria stepped back from a particularly intense exchange, her hand glowing faintly as she channeled healing energy. "Hold still, Ed," she said, placing her hand on his shoulder where Alice's dagger had grazed him. The cut closed in seconds, leaving no trace of the injury.

Ed flexed his shoulder experimentally. "That's a neat trick. I think I'm going to start requesting you as my personal medic," he said with a grin.

Victoria smirked. "Only if you keep paying me with actual effort. No slacking off."

Alice wiped her brow, her breathing steady despite the exertion. "You know, for someone who's been stabbed three times today, Ed, you're taking this pretty well."

Ed shrugged, picking up his club. "You're fast. I'm just figuring out how to deal with that."

As the sparring continued, Victoria stepped back from the circle, a faint shimmer surrounding her. Her wings unfurled in a smooth motion, the light catching the silvery feathers and reflecting faint, prismatic hues.

"Whoa," Ed said, pausing mid-swing. He turned to stare at Victoria's wings, his club lowering slightly. "You've been hiding those?"

Victoria raised an eyebrow, her expression calm. "Not hiding. Just... not used to them yet," she said, flexing her wings slightly. A small gust of air kicked up loose dirt as the silvery feathers shimmered faintly in the light. "Honestly, I don't even know what they're for. I haven't unlocked anything related to them yet. But I figured it's better to practice with them than ignore them."

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Ed tilted his head, his gaze lingering on the wings. "Practice? You mean, like flying?"

Victoria smirked. "No, not unless flailing around counts. They're a little awkward, and I need to get used to the weight and balance. It's not as simple as it looks."

Alice circled behind her, inspecting the wings with a critical eye. "They look pretty damn cool, though. If you figure out how to use them, I'm officially jealous."

Rose huffed, tapping her training weapon against the ground. "That's great and all, but can we get back to sparring? I'm not about to let Sinclair return and find out we spent the afternoon gawking at feathers."

Victoria nodded, folding her wings neatly behind her. "Fine, but don't blame me if you get distracted by them mid-fight."

Alice grinned. "Oh, I'll just consider it a handicap for you."

Ed paused mid-swing, a strange feeling washing over him. It wasn't the usual fatigue from sparring but something different—like someone was staring directly into his soul. He straightened up, turning toward the barracks. That's when he saw them.

Three wolves stood at the corner of the structure, stock still, their eyes fixed on him. Their piercing gazes bore into him, unwavering and intense. For a moment, he couldn't decide if they looked like they were waiting for something, or if he looked tasty.

Then the power hit him. It slammed into him with the force of a tidal wave, and he stumbled back, his breath catching in his chest.

All three wolves shot forward in unison, closing the distance in seconds. Ed barely had time to react before he felt fur pressing against his sides and behind him, a barrier of warmth that caught him as he fell backward. Despite the overwhelming energy in the air, he never felt threatened.

Instead, there was a strange buzzing in his mind, a chaotic hum that refused to let him focus. Ed rubbed his temples, trying to push the noise away, but it grew louder. Then, piece by piece, the buzzing started to resolve into words—excited voices overlapping one another.

"What's happening?" Ed muttered aloud, trying to sort through the mental cacophony.

It took him a few minutes of concentration, but the fragmented voices began to make sense. The wolves were speaking to him—or rather, bombarding him with questions. Who was he? Why had he summoned them? Why did he take so long to answer? How strong was he? What was their purpose now?

The realization hit him like another wave. These wolves weren't random—they were from his summon companion skill. But why three? "How did I get three out of that?" he muttered.

Focusing back on the wolves, he saw their expectant gazes and took a deep breath. "Alright, one at a time," he said, speaking both aloud and mentally. "Let's figure this out."

The buzzing quieted as the wolves seemed to adjust, their questions fading into a more manageable rhythm. "What are your names?"

One voice, calm and measured, rose above the rest. We don't use names, the sister explained, her silver-tipped fur catching the light like moonlit water.

Ed studied her for a moment. She exuded a quiet strength, her regal demeanor unmistakable. "Alright then," he said. "You'll need one now. Would you mind me giving you names?" He looked at each of them, and they each nodded their assent. "Let's go with Argenta for you then."

The sister inclined her head slightly, as if accepting the name gracefully.

Next to her stood a broad-shouldered wolf, his coat a rugged mix of dark and light browns. His steady presence radiated a protective strength. Ed smiled faintly. "You're Bruiser. That fits."

The last wolf drew his attention, his sleek black coat catching the faint light. A single streak of white ran down his chest, a sharp contrast to the rest of his dark fur. Ed raised an eyebrow. "And you," he said, "are Onyx."

Onyx huffed, but his sharp golden eyes had an edge of amusement.

Ed looked at the three of them, shaking his head in disbelief. "Well, this is… something. Let's figure out what we're supposed to do together." The wolves stood close, their bond palpable, as Ed tried to piece together what this unexpected turn meant for his path.

Ed slowly turned to see three expectant faces. He shrugged his shoulders. "It would seem that my summon skill for a companion netted a larger return than anticipated, " he said, grinning ruefully.

Rose and Alice just snorted while Victoria looked on speculatively. "You better be glad I am a dog person."

"I thought you were more into bears." Alice quipped as she danced out of striking range from the Valkyrie, who took a quick swipe at her anyway.

The group resumed their sparring, the wings occasionally catching the light as Victoria moved. Her strikes were cautious, clearly compensating for the new weight, but as the session continued, her movements grew more fluid. She adjusted to the added balance, her wings subtly shifting with her attacks, though it was clear she was still finding her rhythm.

"You're getting the hang of it," Ed commented, ducking under a swing.

Victoria shot him a brief smile, her wings fanning slightly for balance. "Feels like carrying a light backpack you can't take off. But I'll manage."

As they cleaned up and headed toward the market Crystal to buy food, the group spotted Amelia hurrying toward the house, Bruce trailing close behind her. The urgency in her stride was unmistakable, and it immediately put them on edge. Without a word, they exchanged glances and followed, quickening their pace.

Inside the house, they found Amelia and Bruce already in Sinclair's room. On the bed, Sinclair lay motionless, his chest rising and falling steadily but otherwise unresponsive.

Rose turned to Bruce, her voice sharp with concern. "What's going on? Is he okay?"

Bruce shook his head, his worry evident. "We don't know. Chewy and Leia came to get us. We couldn't understand them, but they pulled at us until we followed."

Amelia sat at Sinclair's bedside, gripping his hand tightly. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she spoke, her voice trembling. "Sinclair, please wake up, baby. Come on back to us."

Bruce stood behind her, one hand resting gently on her shoulder. Though he said nothing, the tension in his jaw and the worry in his eyes mirrored his wife's helplessness.

Victoria broke the heavy silence. "Has anyone asked Odin for help? Surely, he would know what to do."

As if summoned by her words, a voice drifted from the hallway. "Thank you, young Victoria, but I cannot interfere in mortal affairs like this unless I am directly sought out."

Everyone turned as Odin stepped into view. Amelia whipped around, her desperation spilling over. "What is wrong with him? He won't wake up, and nothing we do helps!"

Odin paused in the doorway, scratching his beard thoughtfully. The room fell silent as everyone moved aside to let him pass. He stepped inside, leaning his staff against the dresser with the casual air of someone entirely at home.

His sharp eyes scanned Sinclair's form as he folded his arms. "Let's see what's troubling the boy," he said quietly, his tone thoughtful but calm.

Odin stroked his beard, his gaze shifting between Sinclair and the concerned faces around him. "I had sent him a quest earlier to deal with the Myrkr I warned him about. Its strength had surged, and I believed it was the right time for him to confront it. When I didn't get a response, I assumed he was simply asleep, as you did." He shook his head, his expression thoughtful as he stared at Sinclair.

Minutes passed in silence before Odin looked out the window, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Ah," he murmured, "she found a way to reach him after all."

Amelia's voice rose in alarm, her panic spilling over. "What do you mean? Who got to him? Help him, please!"

Odin turned to her, his expression calm and reassuring. A small, knowing smile softened his tone. "He is in no danger, I assure you. At worst, he may get a stern talking-to. He is meeting with Jörð, the embodiment of Midgard. She has found a way to connect with him directly. This is good news for him, though perhaps bad news for the people of Thorsgild."

His words drew confused looks, and he turned to the group with a raised eyebrow. "Thorsgild is under threat from a nearby Myrkr. Its minions are growing in number, and the village is in danger of being overrun. With Sinclair otherwise occupied, what do you say? Will you step up and take his place to protect these people?"

Rose exchanged glances with Alice, Ed, and Victoria. Though their faces were tight with determination, none hesitated. Rose spoke for them all. "We would be honored to help. Please send us."

Odin's faint smile widened, a frosty glint flashing in his eye as he nodded. "So be it, young ones. Good luck."

New Quest: Defend Thorsgild (Unique)

Description: The village of Thorsgild is under siege by the Myrkr and its growing minions. As darkness spreads and the villagers brace for the worst, the light of hope flickers in your hands. Rally to their defense, eliminate the Myrkr's forces, and secure the safety of Thorsgild before it falls into shadow.

Objectives: Assist in the defense of of village until help arrives.

Rewards:

Gold

Experience

Item

: Rarity depends on survival percentages

Accept? Yes/No

Before anyone could hit accept on the quest, Rose glanced up, only to see that Odin had already disappeared. She looked to the others, their shared determination clear in their eyes as they silently confirmed their readiness.

Turning to Bruce and Amelia, Rose spoke firmly. "Tell him where we've gone when he wakes up. We'll do everything we can to keep the people safe in his stead."

Amelia nodded, her fingers still wrapped tightly around Sinclair's hand, her eyes fixed on her son's motionless form.

Bruce stepped forward, his expression was stern but supportive. "Be careful out there, all of you. Make sure you're still standing when he gets there."

Chewy and Leia, seated near the bed, stood and moved closer. Chewy's voice rumbled with resolve inside Ed's head. Ed, take us with you. We will fight in his place.

Leia nodded, her gaze steady. He would want us to protect the people. We'll do what needs to be done.

Ed looked to the group, then back at the two Wirewolves. "We'd be glad to have you with us," he said, his tone firm.

Rose nodded in agreement, relieved to have the powerful direwolves along for the fight. Without another word, the six of them gathered.

In a flash of light, a rainbow of energy enveloped them, and the room disappeared. The figures vanished, leaving Bruce and Amelia alone with Sinclair as the shimmering light faded.

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