An hour later, the small rescue party stood at the settlement gates. Satou had made the difficult decision to keep the group minimal—just himself, Kelvin, and Cassius, with Zik to guide them.

"Are you sure about this?" Urgak asked, his single eye showing concern. "Twenty Dire Wolves is no small threat. You should take more warriors."

"A larger group would be slower and more conspicuous," Satou replied, checking his weapons one final time. "Three fighters is enough, especially with Cassius's abilities. And Kelvin needs room to prove himself without being overwhelmed by too much backup."

Grimnir crossed his arms but nodded reluctantly. "Just don't die out there. We've already lost too many good people."

"We'll be careful," Satou promised.

Lyra approached, her expression tight with worry. Before Satou could say anything reassuring, she grabbed his hand with both of hers, squeezing firmly.

"Please be safe," she said quietly, her eyes searching his face. "I know you're strong now, stronger than any of us. But Dire Wolves are cunning predators. They hunt in packs for a reason. Don't underestimate them."

"I won't," Satou said, surprised by the intensity in her grip and her gaze. "We'll be back before you know it."

"You better be," Lyra said, her voice wavering slightly. "This settlement needs you. We all need you." She paused, then added even more quietly, "I need you to come back."

For a moment, something passed between them, something unspoken but heavy with meaning. Then Lyra released his hand and stepped back, her professional mask sliding back into place though her eyes remained worried.

Jessica rushed forward next, throwing her arms around both Satou and Kelvin in a fierce hug.

"Please be safe, both of you," she said, her voice muffled against Satou's chest. "Big brother, watch over Kelvin. And Kelvin, don't do anything stupid trying to prove yourself. You're already strong. You don't need to die to prove it."

"I'll be fine, sis," Kelvin said, though his voice was softer than usual, touched by her concern. "I've got the best backup anyone could ask for."

Jessica pulled back, tears glistening in her eyes. She placed one hand on Satou's cheek and one on Kelvin's, her Holy Maiden power flaring briefly, a soft white glow that left behind a gentle warmth.

"That's a blessing," she explained. "It'll provide minor protection and boost your natural healing. It's not much, but it's all I can do from here."

"It's perfect," Satou said, genuinely touched. "Thank you."

"Come back to me," Jessica said, looking between them. "Both of you. Promise."

"We promise," they said together.

Zik, now healed enough to walk though still clearly sore, approached nervously. "I'm ready when you are, Chieftain Satou. The journey will take us maybe four hours if we move quickly."

"Then let's move," Satou said.

As they left through the gates, Satou glanced back one last time. Lyra stood at the front of the small crowd that had gathered, her hand raised in farewell. Jessica stood beside her, behind them, Urgak, Grimnir, and the others.

--------

The forest was beautiful in the morning light. Sunlight filtered through the canopy in golden beams, illuminating moss-covered rocks and ancient trees. Birds sang overhead, and small creatures rustled through the undergrowth. It would have been peaceful if not for the tension of their mission.

Zik led the way, moving through the forest with the confidence of someone who knew these paths intimately. Despite his injuries being healed, he still favored his previously broken leg slightly, and occasionally winced when particularly rough terrain jarred his healing wounds.

"Tell me about your village," Satou said as they walked. "How long have you been settled there?"

"About five years," Zik replied, pushing aside a low-hanging branch. "We were refugees originally, fleeing from a human raid on our previous settlement. We found the caves by accident, really. They're well hidden, defensible, with access to fresh water from an underground stream. It seemed perfect."

"How many fighting-capable adults do you have?" Cassius asked, his red eyes scanning the forest constantly for threats.

"Maybe ten?" Zik said uncertainly. "But we're not warriors. We're just basically survivors. The most dangerous thing most of us have fought is an angry rabbit. When the Dire Wolves came..." He trailed off, his expression haunted. "We had no idea what to do. Some of the younger goblins tried to fight them off. They died in seconds."

"Dire Wolves are apex predators," Cassius explained. "Each one is roughly equivalent to three or four trained human soldiers in terms of raw combat capability. And they're intelligent enough to use tactics, coordinate attacks, exploit weaknesses. Your people never stood a chance."

"I know," Zik said quietly. "That's why I had to find help. Elder Grik, he's our leader, he said there were rumors of a goblin chieftain to the south. Someone who'd united different tribes, who'd killed a human hero. I didn't believe the stories at first. Thought they were just wishful thinking. But then I saw your settlement, saw goblins and orcs and even elves working together. Saw buildings made of earth magic and proper fortifications. And I knew the stories were true."

He looked back at Satou with something approaching awe. "You really did kill a hero, didn't you? The rumors are real."

"The rumors are real," Satou confirmed. "Though it cost us dearly. Many good people died in that battle."

"But you won," Zik said. "You survived. That's more than most goblins can say when humans come for them."

They continued in silence for a while, each lost in their own thoughts. Kelvin walked with his hand on his spear, his expression focused. He'd been quiet since they left, presumably running through combat scenarios in his mind, preparing for the fight ahead.

After about two hours, Cassius suddenly held up a hand, signaling them to stop. His vampiric senses had detected something.

"We're being watched," he said quietly. "Something in the trees to our left. Been following us for the last ten minutes."

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