Raziel closed the den entrance behind them, giving clear instructions to the guards posted outside:
"No one is alowed to enter inside. If anyone tries, kill them."
"Sit." Raziel said, walking towards his weapons rack.
For once, Nyx didn't argue. Raziel returned with a small waterskin, meat wrapped in leaves, a coil of thin rope, and a small pouch that clinked when he put it down.
"This is what you're allowed." He said. "One water skin, minimal food, basic supplies. No weapons other than what you can make or steal."
"Steal from who? The wolves trying to kill me?"
"If you can." He held up the rope. "This is better quality than what you used last night. It won't fray and can hold your weight."
"Great. I'll just climb trees while wolves circle below." She said with sarcasm.
"That's exactly what you should do." Raziel sat opposite her. "The Hunt follows specific rules. The pack can't climb, can't use tools, can't attack while you're more than ten feet off the ground. It's tradition."
Nyx blinked.
"That's actually useful."
"It's one of the few advantages you'll have." He opened the pouch and inside was a small but a sharp knife and some dried herbs. "The knife is allowed because it's utility, not a weapon. The herbs are for treating wounds or poisoning water sources, and creating smoke."
Nyx took the supplies and examined each item. The knife was well made, the rope was indeed of better quality, and the herbs smelled medicinal and slightly acrid.
"Tell me everything. Every rule, loophole." Nyx said.
Raziel nodded.
"The Hunt begins at sunset. You'll be released at the northern border of Wolf territory in deep forest. You'll have a sixty second head start."
"Against how many wolves?"
"Fifty, including Darius himself."
"Fifty?"
"Yes, they're the best hunters in Beastworld. They'll spread out, coordinate through howls, drive you towards dead ends. They've done this hundreds of times to everyone who challenges their authority."
"And no one's survived?"
"Not for three centuries. But you have advantages they won't expect. You're human; your scent is different and unfamiliar. They'll have to adjust to track you. Your size lets you go places they can't."
Raziel pulled out the map and spread it on the floor between them.
"This is where you'll start." He pointed to the northern edge. "Deep forest, lots of cover. Stay in the densest areas initially, they'll expect you to run for open ground. Do the opposite."
Nyx studied the map.
"These caves…can I hide in them?" She asked.
"They'll check every one but it'll take time to search. You could use that."
"What about the river?"
"Good for breaking scent trail. But it's cold, there's risk of hypothermia if you stay in too long. And they'll put wolves at key crossing points." His finger tapped several locations along the river. "Here, here, and here."
"So I should avoid these points or do the opposite of what they expect, cross there anyway when they think I won't." Nyx's mind was racing now. "They're used to preys that panic and runs in predictable patterns. What if I don't?"
"Then you might survive."
They spent the next hours going over every detail.
"Tell me about the howls." She said suddenly. "You said they coordinate through howling. What do different howls mean?"
Raziel looked surprised.
"You want to learn wolf communication?"
"I want every advantage I can get."
"Smart." He moved closer. "Long, rising howl means they've found your trail. Short one means they've spotted you directly. Low, resonating howl means they're closing in."
"And if there's silence?"
"Then they're very close. Wolves go quiet right before the kill."
"Good to know."
"One more thing, Darius himself will be hunting. He won't hold back and show mercy. If he catches you…"
"He'll kill me. I know."
"No. He'll give you a choice. Submit and he'll make it quick. Fight and he'll make it painful. But he'll always give you the choice."
"Why?"
"Because he respects courage and hates weakness. If you submit, you prove humans are prey. If you fight, you prove otherwise."
"So if it comes down to me and Darius…"
"Don't submit or beg. Don't show fear. Go down fighting, even if it means you die more painfully. It's the only way he'll respect you enough to let you pass the trial."
"Even if he kills me in the process?"
"You can survive an honorable death. You can't survive a coward's death." Raziel stood up. "I know it sounds insane, but that's how Darius and most of us think. Better to die with honor than live as a prey."
"I'm starting to see that." Nyx looked at her hands, examining the injuries from last night.
It still hurt, but she could grip things.
"I need to prepare myself mentally." Nyx said. "Can you give me some space?"
Raziel nodded.
"I'll be outside. The guards won't let anyone in. But if you need anything…"
"I'll yell."
He smiled, walked towards the exit and paused.
"Nyx. You've already proved yourself more capable than the legends suggested. You'll go down as the human who stood before five Kings and didn't kneel. That itself is a victory."
Then he left, leaving Nyx alone with her thoughts.
She stood up and went through the supplies. Everything was perfect. She tied everything to her body; she put the knife in her belt from where she could draw it instantly, coiled the rope around her torso and tied the waterskin on her hip.
"I'm not a prey." Nyx whispered to herself.
She thought about the earth, snow leopard, and Director Zhao's cold smile.
"Full circle." She said. "Came here as a hunter, and now I'm the hunted."
The sun turned from deep orange to gold. It was a beautiful sunset for what might be her last day alive. Raziel entered carrying something wrapped in leather.
"The other Kings are gathering." He said. "It's time."
"Already?"
"Darius wants to begin at sunset. He's very particular about his traditions." Raziel held out what he carried. "This is for you."
Nyx unwrapped it. It was a leather vest with minimal padding. It wasn't armor but better than nothing.
"Darius approved this." Raziel said. "He wants you to survive long enough to make it interesting."
"How generous." Nyx pulled it on. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet. Thank me after you survive." He paused. "If you survive."
"Confidence is really your strong suit."
"I'm being realistic."
She smiled.
"Let's get this over with."
They walked through the Pride Lands together. The path to the gathering area felt longer than it should. Lions watched as they passed; some with curiosity, some with contempt, a few with respect.
The arena had been transformed. Torches were lit. On a raised platform there were five thrones. All kings were sitting on their respective thrones, except for Razeil.
Korran Ironpelt was massive even sitting down, maybe 8 feet tall. Brown fur covered most of his body, and his face was more bear than human. He looked bored.
Sylthis Coldscale was the opposite. They were lean, elegant with scales that shimmered green and gold in the torchlight. Their features were androgynous. Their eyes tracked her every movement with predatory intelligence.
"The human." Sylthis said. "Finally. I was beginning to think you were myth."
"I'm very real." Nyx replied.
"I can see that and I've to tell you, you smell absolutely delicious. How intriguing."
"Enough, Sylthis." Darius cut in. He stood up from his seat and walked towards the center of the platform. "We're here for the Hunt, not your games."
"The Hunt is a game." Sylthis countered and laughed.
Darius raised his voice, addressing the massive crowd.
"The human Nyx Keller has survived three days in the Beastworld, killed a warrior, faced the council, and has earned the right to trial by the Five Kings."
The crowd murmured.
"The first trial begins now. The Hunt. Prey is released and pack pursues from sunset to sunrise. Survive, and you pass."
He turned to look at Nyx.
"Rules are simple. You get sixty seconds head start. You can go anywhere in Wolf territory: forests, caves, rivers, anywhere. You can hide, fight, run, whatever you think will keep you alive.
But you've should know my pack has never lost a Hunt in three hundred years. You will be caught. The only question is how long you last."
"Maybe I'll surprise you." Nyx replied.
"Maybe." Darius smiled. "Or maybe you'll die screaming like the rest. Either way…" He gestured to his waiting pack. "we'll find out."
Fifty wolves surrounded the arena. Some were in human form, some were fully beast, all of them were watching her with hunger in their eyes.
Nyx's heart hammered, but she kept her expression neutral, showing no fear.
"Any last words?" Darius asked.
Nyx looked at Raziel, standing at the edge of the platform. His expression was neutral but she saw how his hands were clenched at the sides.
"Yeah." Nyx said, turning back to Darius. "Try to keep up."
Darius laughed.
"Oh, I'm going to enjoy this."
He raised his hand. The crowd fell silent.
"Human. You're released. Run."
His hand dropped and Nyx ran.