The Alphas Reincarnation Stats of a Wolf

Into the Abyss

The descent into the canyon was a trial in itself.

Jagged rocks lined the steep path, their edges sharp enough to shred through leather boots if misplaced. The air grew heavier with each step, as though the shadows themselves were pressing against their lungs, testing their resolve. The Elder's blessing, once a faint but constant glow, had begun to flicker. It pulsed erratically now, offering only fleeting glimpses of their immediate surroundings.

Kierra's sharp voice cut through the suffocating silence. "Zephyr, how long will the blessing last?"

Zephyr didn't stop walking. His grip on the crystal tightened as he replied, "Not long enough. The shadows are leeching its strength the deeper we go. Stay close, or it won't matter."

Ryu muttered under his breath, a habit he'd developed when he was on edge. Kierra caught a few words—something about being sent to their deaths—but chose to stay silent. She couldn't entirely blame him. The air here felt alive, whispering things just beyond the edge of hearing. Words that teased, mocked, and begged them to turn back.

"Focus," Zephyr commanded, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. He glanced back at Ryu. "The shadows will get into your head if you let them."

Ryu snorted, his claws glinting in the faint light. "Let them try."

But even he couldn't hide the tension in his steps.

Memories in the Dark

The path narrowed, forcing the group to move single file. As they trudged forward, Kierra's mind wandered back to Ardent. The memory came unbidden—him laughing as they sat around a fire, his sharp wit making even Zephyr crack a rare smile.

"Don't get too comfortable," he'd said that night, his grin mischievous. "One day, I'll be the one saving you."

Kierra clenched her fists. She refused to believe that the same man who had pulled her out of the clutches of a shadow beast had willingly abandoned them. There had to be more to his betrayal.

"We'll get him back," she murmured under her breath, as much to herself as to anyone else.

Zephyr's voice broke her thoughts. "Hold."

The group froze. Up ahead, the ground seemed to shimmer unnaturally. The shadows here weren't just darker—they moved. They writhed and coiled like living things, forming tendrils that reached toward the light.

"What is this?" Ryu asked, his claws ready.

Zephyr crouched, the crystal glowing faintly in his hand. "A shadow rift. The energy here is concentrated. It's feeding the shadows, making them stronger."

Ryu cursed under his breath. "Of course it is."

Kierra drew her daggers, their edges catching the faint light of the crystal. "Can we go around it?"

Zephyr shook his head. "No. It spans the entire canyon. We have to go through."

A Trial of Shadows

The first step into the rift felt like walking into a storm. The air was thick and cold, clinging to their skin and dragging at their limbs. The Elder's blessing flickered violently now, its light reduced to a faint halo that barely reached their feet.

The whispers grew louder, each voice distinct and cutting. They called out names, dredged up memories, and offered sweet promises if only they would turn back.

"Cowards," Ryu growled, though his voice sounded strained. "Is this the best you've got?"

A laugh echoed in response, low and mocking. It wasn't Daegan's. This was something older, more sinister.

Kierra's daggers flashed as a shadow tendril lashed out at her. It recoiled with a hiss, but more followed, testing their defenses.

"Zephyr," she called, her voice tight. "Can you—"

"I'm working on it!" Zephyr snapped, the crystal in his hand glowing brighter as he channeled energy into it. His voice dropped into the same low chant as before, ancient words that resonated in the air.

But this time, the shadows weren't so easily dispelled. They fought back, clawing at the edges of the light with a ferocity that sent shivers down Kierra's spine.

"Faster would be good!" Ryu shouted, slashing at a tendril that came too close. His claws met resistance, as though the shadows had gained substance.

"They're adapting," Kierra realized aloud, her voice filled with dread.

Zephyr didn't answer. Sweat beaded on his brow as the crystal's glow intensified. The ground beneath them trembled, and a crackling sound filled the air.

Then, with a deafening roar, the crystal released a shockwave of light. The shadows screamed and writhed, their forms disintegrating into nothingness.

For a moment, there was silence.

The Citadel's Test

When the light faded, they found themselves standing at the edge of the canyon's heart. The Obsidian Citadel loomed before them, a monolith of jagged spires and swirling darkness. Its surface seemed to drink in the light, reflecting none of it back.

Kierra stared at the fortress, her breath catching in her throat. "How do we even get inside that thing?"

Zephyr's expression was grim. "The crystal will guide us, but the path won't be easy. The shadow master will have defenses in place."

Ryu scoffed. "Defenses? You mean those?" He gestured toward a set of massive stone gates at the base of the Citadel. They were open, as if inviting them in.

"No," Zephyr said quietly. "This is the real test. The gates are a trap."

Before Ryu could respond, a deep, resonant laugh echoed from above. The group looked up to see Daegan perched on one of the jagged spires, his chains dangling lazily.

"Welcome," he called down, his grin wide. "I was wondering if you'd make it this far."

"Get down here and fight me!" Ryu roared, his claws flashing.

Daegan chuckled. "Oh, I wouldn't dream of it. The master wants you to come in. Says it's more fun that way."

Zephyr's jaw tightened. "What does he want?"

Daegan's grin widened. "To see if you're worthy of the truth. Of course, I'm betting you won't make it that far. But hey, I've been wrong before."

With that, he vanished into the shadows, his laughter lingering like a stain in the air.

Zephyr turned to the others. "Stay close. The Citadel isn't just a fortress. It's alive."

Kierra's grip on her daggers tightened. "Alive?"

Zephyr nodded. "And it doesn't want us here."

Without another word, the group stepped through the gates, the shadows closing in behind them like a curtain.