---
Chapter 6: Echoes in the Mouth of Hell
---
Scene 1: Deep Within the Forest
The forest glowed with a calm green hue. Sunlight slipped through long branches, tiny streams shimmered with a pure glow, and wild fruits and insects formed a lively, breathing painting.
Yet… within all this beauty, there was a corner of chaos.
The camera slid between the trees… until it found Kiora kneeling before a red-haired girl, begging as if his life hung by a single word.
"Please… help me."
Rinyon answered coldly, without even blinking.
"No."
Kiora exhaled quickly, as if trying to gather whatever dignity he still had.
"Please…"
"No."
The short, annoying argument continued… until Rinyon sighed deeply, as if surrendering to an unwelcome fate.
"Fine… I'll help you. But don't you dare turn against me. And don't even think about betraying me."
The moment he heard that, Kiora jumped toward her and hugged her with way too much enthusiasm.
"Thank you! I promise I won't do anything that hurts you."
Rinyon froze… her face turning red like burning coal, then exploded in anger and smashed her fist onto his head.
"You never learn!"
Kiora raised his hands defensively.
"Sorry… I haven't met a human in a long time. My excitement just exploded."
She waved him off irritably.
"Save your excuses. Let's go. My name is Rinyon."
Despite the pain, Kiora smiled faintly.
"Let's take down the Wolf King… and my name is Kiora."
And the two slipped deeper into the forest.
---
Scene 2: At the Wolf King's Cave
The two finally reached the mouth of a massive cave that seemed to swallow the light around it.
The air in front of it felt… different. Heavier, like it was pushing into their chests.
The ground beneath their feet felt as if it was breathing slowly—some eerie pulse, like the heartbeat of a sleeping giant.
Kiora tightened his grip on his staff.
The camera zoomed in on his tense face… then pulled down to his trembling fingers.
"The real fight… starts now."
The camera sank slowly into the darkness… where two enormous eyes opened. Red, like flames burning with fury.
A growl spread from the depths, rising until it filled the cave and the air around them.
Kiora swallowed hard.
"Is that… some kind of welcome?"
Rinyon replied without looking back:
"Stop talking. Let's go."
Kiora extended his hand toward the cave entrance awkwardly.
"Ladies first."
Rinyon glared sharply.
"Coward."
She walked inside with steady steps, and Kiora followed behind, shaking slightly.
---
Scene 3: Inside the Cave
Inside was another world entirely.
Thick darkness… a rotten stench… and shattered bones covering the floor as if the place was home to countless unknown dead.
Kiora followed Rinyon lightly, trying his best not to touch anything.
Suddenly… the ground trembled beneath them.
A low rumble echoed through the cave… step after step.
Kiora whispered, barely able to speak:
"What… what's happening?"
Rinyon answered with a strangely calm tone:
"He's coming."
The Wolf King emerged from the darkness… revealing a form far beyond expectation.
A monstrous beast walking on four limbs, its head larger than the entire body of a grown man.
Fangs long as swords, dark gray fur covered in scars, and thick drool dripping onto nearby bones—melting them like wax.
Kiora's face turned pale as he shouted:
"He's gigantic… he could swallow me whole! And what's with that drool—those fangs?!"
Without realizing it, Kiora grabbed Rinyon's arm.
She instantly smacked his head.
"What's wrong with you, you idiot?!"
Kiora stuttered:
"S-sorry… sorry…"
Then thought to himself:
"I don't know which is more dangerous… the wolf or her…"
Rinyon asked coldly:
"Did you say something?"
Kiora stiffened.
"No! Nothing!"
A deep, raspy voice echoed through the cave, cutting their talk short:
"Heh… looks like my food came to me willingly."
The Wolf King raised its massive paw, forcing both of them to dodge.
Rinyon launched a fireball that struck its shoulder, burning some of its fur and sending black smoke rising.
The beast laughed with contempt.
"That's all you've got?"
The beast's paw shot toward her with terrifying speed.
But Kiora leapt without thinking, pulling her aside and saving her from becoming ashes.
"Are you okay?"
His voice this time carried real concern.
Rinyon nodded.
"Yes… thank you."
The Wolf King growled:
"Cute… but you won't save anyone twice."
The beast lifted its massive paw and roared:
"Cleave Strike."
In an instant, the cave split apart.
Rocks shattered, dust exploded through the air—like a heavenly blow had slammed into the earth.
The cave didn't collapse fully… but it was close.
Kiora stared at a lock of his hair that had been sliced off and fallen to the ground.
Then he looked up in shock and fear.
"His power… it's unreal."
To Be Continued...
---