Chapter Sixty-Six


    The monster thought it was hiding. It was doing a good job, admittedly. His awareness ability, which his new armor granted him, showed the monster lurking in the shadows against a large tree. Its dark brown-green fur allowed it to blend in with the tree and foliage surrounding it.


    Its eyes were the color of fresh dung on the ground during a rainy night. Its dark claws trembled against the bark of the tree. Its whole body shivered with anticipation. Ambrose walked right past it, and it slunk forward on silent, padded paws.


    “Now, Noelle,” Ambrose stated calmly.


    She spun immediately, lightning-wreathed claws tearing out the thing''s throat, its eyes wide with surprise. It died in a fountain of blood, lightning crackling around his body.


    Ambrose wasn’t surprised when dozens of the creatures appeared, dark eyes glittering with hate.


    That was when a voice emanated from the group of creatures. A voice he knew very well.


    “I knew you’d find me, eventually. To avenge poor, poor Alice.”


    A mocking laughter portended the attack that came. Claws flashing, the monsters rushed forward, their bodies moving through the air, the only sound they made.


    Noelle flashed into action, lightning burning baby blue in the night, reflecting off their dark eyes and highlighting the swaying leaves of the trees around them.


    She killed scores of them, but the vicious creatures kept coming. Ambrose sent forth spinning portals that cut the monsters in half as neatly as one of those laser swords in those movies Alice loved.


    When only a few remained, the rest scattered, dismembered, broken parts, the voice returned.


    “I must say, I didn’t expect you to bring a friend. You wound me, Mr. Severen. I thought this dance was just for you and me.”


    Ambrose ground his teeth, jaw clenching, and his fist tightened on Akaroth. Like the axe could summon a storm in the sky, one brewed in his chest.


    Ambrose believed in leashing his emotions, but he allowed a little bit of the storm to rage freely as he cut down the rest of the creatures, the dark chuckle fading away into the night like a lost, insidious whisper.


    He didn’t gain any experience from the monsters. He wondered about that a bit. This area was supposed to be more dangerous, and though he didn’t analyze any of the monsters, he was reasonably sure they were mid D-Grade at the absolute best.


    As they walked, the voice Ambrose knew to be Eric spoke up,


    “It truly is wonderful to see you again, old friend. I’ve gained control of these forest monsters, and let me tell you, there was a lot. I did it on a whim, thinking it would be nice to have a bunch of bloodthirsty minions on my side. What a good idea that was, eh Mr. Severen?” If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    As he spoke, a huge monster, not unlike the other creatures, lumbered calmly out of the forest.


    “This one looks like an honest to god big-foot to me! Let’s see how you handle this big guy, Mr. Severen.”


    Ambrose tossed a [Retributions Gaze] at it. He didn’t think it was very powerful but didn’t think and know for sure were two different things.


    [Grendalkin Level 195]: Grendalkin stalk forests near towns and prey on hunters, gatherers or forest creatures.]


    With a roar that shook the leaves, the creature ripped off a low-hanging branch with a resounding crack that thundered through the forest. It swung the branch low at Noelle, who dodged with feline grace, lashing out with claws that dug into its fur.


    It roared, lashing out with a foot that would have taken Noelle in the head if Ambrose hadn’t opened up a portal beneath her. She dropped through and came out above the monster, claws of hissing electricity raking down its back.


    This time, the ground shook as the big foot look-alike bellowed, whirling and stomping. It swung the branch, desperate now to land a blow on Noelle.


    However, it had made a fatal mistake, turning its back on another, far more dangerous foe. Ambrose hefted Akaroth, and, much as he had done back on Avalon when it was cursed, threw the axe into the grendalkin''s back.


    Blood burst as if from an angry blister. Akaroth flared with power, lightning piercing its body. It quivered, falling to the ground. Ambrose recalled his axe, and sent a spinning portal forward toward its neck.


    The severed head plopped to the ground like an apple from a tree, its bloody stump squirting out more blood.


    Attacks continued from various monsters as Ambrose and Noelle traveled through the forest.


    “You sure are cutting a bloody swathe through all these monsters. Ah, well, they’re just cannon fodder. Up ahead, you’ll find the entrance to the main event!”


    His knuckle popped, and Noelle hissed, her ears flattening. He took a breath. It wouldn’t help him to lose composure.


    They continued their walk, coming across a cave set in a mountainside.


    He paused before entering, reaching his hand to the top of the cave entrance. He brushed aside some of the dust and frowned. A small glyph in the form of a wolf''s head had been engraved into the rock.


    Fenrir, he thought.


    It was possible they would have to fight the legendary monster. Alice, the nerd she was, likely would have known all about him. He smiled sadly, steeled himself, and turned to Noelle.


    “I think you should go cloak form from here on out.”


    She frowned, ears swiveling. She shook her head,


    “I want to help,” she mewed out.


    He crossed his arms.


    “This isn’t an enemy you’re ready for. You could easily be killed.”


    She put fists on her hips, tail shaking in annoyance.


    “You promised.”


    He sighed,


    “I know. But it’s different this time.”


    “Why?”


    She flexed her claws.


    “Because, we aren’t about to face a monster near your level. You don’t have the skills or experience needed.”


    Noelle hissed, tail lashing.


    “No. I will fight. You promised.”


    Ambrose stroked his beard, closing his eyes.


    Noelle had been with him from the start of this journey. It was right to have her here, at the end of it. He had promised, but he didn’t want to sacrifice her. It would hurt no matter what, but if she died against a foe relative to her strength, at least he could say they had a reasonable shot of surviving.


    But this foe? He didn’t know much about Fenrir, but he was a being out of mythology. A nightmare, demi-god wolf that Ambrose felt sure he would need all of his strength to beat.


    “Noelle, how about a compromise?”


    Her nose wrinkled, but she gestured for him to go on.


    “You go in as a cloak, but if its an enemy I think you can reasonably fight, I’ll manifest you. Deal?”


    Noelle shook her head, not even considering it.


    “Not this. Too important. I fight with you, Ambrose.”


    Ambrose rubbed his face, suddenly feeling tired for the first time in a long time. At the end of the day, Noelle had her own mind. Even if she was a mythical item. He had to respect her choices, even if he felt they were poor ones.


    “Fine. You win. Let’s go.”


    It was time to finally end Eric.