A low growl rumbled through the gorge, vibrating through the uneven stone beneath Cassie’s feet. She stilled, her hand tightening on her dagger as her eyes darted toward the shadows. The sound came again, louder this time, resonant and deep, like the warning of something massive and predatory.

  “Something’s coming,” she said sharply, her voice cutting through the uneasy quiet.

  Theodoric raised a hand, his sword glinting faintly in the torchlight. “Eyes forward! Steady!”

  The shadows at the far end of the gorge shifted, twisting unnaturally as a hulking figure emerged. Its glowing yellow eyes pierced the darkness, locked onto the group with an unnerving intelligence. Muscles rippled beneath its coarse fur, and its claws scraped the stone with deliberate precision.

  The beast advanced slowly, as though savoring their fear. Cassie’s chest tightened. It wasn’t moving like a mindless predator. Her mind raced with the thought of Cera—the last thing she needed was for the beast to start talking, toying with them like she had with her before.

  Every word from the Overlord class machina had been a sickening game, and Cassie wasn’t sure how much more of that kind of psychological torment she could take.

  “Hold formation!” Theodoric shouted, stepping forward to meet the threat.

  Before the group could react, crossbow bolts rained down from the cliffs. The assassins had returned, their attacks precise and relentless, using the beast as a distraction to press their assault.

  “Shields up!” Hildiger bellowed, his voice carrying over the chaos.

  Cassie darted to the left flank, her dagger ready as she moved between the barricades. “Defensive positions! Take cover!”

  Theodoric charged the beast, his sword cutting a sharp arc through the air. The creature snarled, rearing back as his strike grazed its thick hide. It retaliated with a swipe of its massive claws, the force of the blow sending shards of rock flying as Theodoric dodged to the side.

  Cassie’s focus shifted to the cliffs. The assassins moved like shadows, their crossbows trained on the group below. She saw the glint of a bolt aimed directly at Theodoric and reacted without thinking.

  Her body moved faster than her mind, throwing itself into the bolt’s path. The impact sent her staggering backward, her armor absorbing most of the force, but the sharp sting of the strike reverberated through her ribs.

  “Cassie!” Theodoric shouted, his voice edged with alarm as he parried another strike from the beast.

  “I’m fine,” she called back, forcing herself upright. Her chest burned, but she pushed the pain aside, her gaze snapping back to the fight.

  The beast roared, its movements erratic yet purposeful as it lashed out at Theodoric with terrifying speed. Cassie watched the battle closely, her mind racing. This wasn’t a wild animal. Its attacks were too coordinated, its focus too sharp.

  If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  Her eyes scanned the cliffs again, searching for something that might explain the creature’s behavior. That’s when she saw the hooded figure.

  The figure stood motionless atop the ridge, silhouetted against the faint glow of the distant firelight. Their cloak billowed faintly in the wind, and their hand was raised, fingers moving in deliberate, precise motions.

  Cassie’s stomach dropped. They were controlling it.

  “Your Highness!” she called, her voice sharp with urgency. “There’s someone on the ridge controlling the beast!”

  His gaze flicked toward her for a split second, but the beast lunged again, forcing him to focus on the fight. “Take them out!” he shouted.

  She didn’t hesitate. Moving quickly, she signaled to Callen and another guard, gesturing toward the ridge. “With me. Now!”

  They sprinted toward the base of the cliff, dodging bolts as they moved. Cassie’s chest ached with every breath, but she gritted her teeth.

  “Cover fire!” she barked to the remaining guards.

  Arrows flew upward, forcing the assassins to retreat momentarily. Cassie and her team began scaling the cliff, the jagged rocks cutting into their hands as they climbed.

  Halfway up, the figure shifted, their hood turning toward her. She caught a glimpse of a pale, scarred face before they stepped back into the shadows.

  “Keep going!” she urged, her voice low but fierce.

  The ascent was brutal, every movement a battle against the searing pain in her ribs and the slick, uneven stone. When they reached the ridge, the figure was gone, leaving only faint footprints in the dirt.

  Cassie cursed under her breath, scanning the surrounding forest for any sign of them. “They’re moving,” she said to Callen, motioning for him to follow. “Stay close.”

  The fight below raged on. The beast’s roars echoed through the gorge, mingling with the shouts of the group as they struggled to hold their ground.

  Cassie’s heart sank as she looked down. The creature was massive, its movements erratic yet devastating as it tore through the barricades. Theodoric fought with precision, his strikes aimed at its vulnerable joints, but it was clear they were losing ground.

  She turned to Callen. “Go back. Tell Theodoric we’ll hold the ridge as long as we can.”

  “What about you?” he asked, his voice tight with concern.

  “I’ll catch up,” she said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

  Callen hesitated but nodded, retreating down the cliff.

  Cassie followed the figure’s trail deeper into the forest. Her steps were cautious, her dagger gripped tightly as she moved through the shadows. The trees seemed to close in around her, the air heavy with the scent of moss and damp earth.

  The figure was gone.

  By the time she returned to the ridge, the battle below had shifted. The beast was retreating, its movements slower and more erratic as the group’s coordinated strikes finally forced it back.

  Theodoric stood at the center, his armor dented and bloodied but his stance unwavering. The guards were battered and exhausted, their weapons slick with blood as they regrouped near the barricades.

  Cassie climbed down quickly, her feet hitting the ground just as Theodoric turned to her.

  “Well?” he asked, his voice strained but steady.

  “They’re close,” she replied, glancing toward the cliffs. “And they’re directing everything. That beast—it’s not natural.”

  Theodoric nodded grimly. “Neither is this.”

  A faint rustle drew their attention to the treeline. Cassie tensed, her dagger at the ready, but nothing emerged.

  “We need traps,” she said, her voice firm. “If they come again, we need to be ready.”

  Theodoric didn’t argue. “Do it. Everyone else, reinforce the line. No one sleeps tonight.”

  Cassie moved quickly, directing the guards as they set spikes and tripwires along the gorge’s narrow path. Her movements were efficient, her focus sharp, but the weight of the battle pressed heavily on her.

  The group was battered, their supplies almost gone, and their enemy was relentless.

  As the final trap was set, Theodoric approached, his gaze fixed on the distant forest. “This isn’t over,” he said quietly, his voice barely audible over the crackle of the fire.

  Cassie stood beside him, her dagger resting lightly in her hand. “Not by a long shot.”