SWNOVELXO Chapter 15: The weight of decision
Chapter 15: The Weight of Decisions
The sun filtered through the canopy of the forest, casting streaks of golden light on the trail ahead. Reiji, Aeris, and Lyra moved in relative silence, though the tension between the dragon and phoenix was palpable. The two floated lazily around him, each in their shrunken humanoid forms, no larger than the palm of his hand.
Aeris hovered near his left shoulder, arms crossed, her golden eyes scanning the surroundings. "This area is suspiciously quiet. Something isn't right."
Lyra smirked from her perch on Reiji's right side. "Or maybe your paranoia is showing, dragon. Not every shadow hides a threat."
Reiji sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Can you both stop? It's been hours, and I'd like at least five minutes without the constant back-and-forth."
Aeris shot him a sharp look. "Five minutes? That's generous. She'll probably last three before she says something idiotic."
Lyra feigned offense, placing a hand over her heart. "Idiotic? I prefer the term insightful. But fine, Reiji, I'll humor you—for now."
Before Reiji could respond, his dire wolf growled, its hackles rising. The beast turned its glowing crimson eyes toward the trees ahead, its body tense and ready to pounce.
"What now?" Reiji muttered, gripping the hilt of his sword.
The ground rumbled slightly, and the faint sound of clicking echoed through the forest. Moments later, a swarm of insect-like creatures emerged from the shadows, their chitinous bodies glinting in the light.
[Swarm Beetles – Level 15]
At first glance, the beetles didn't seem particularly threatening, but their sheer numbers made them a serious problem. They moved as one, a chittering wave of black and red that advanced toward Reiji and his companions.
Aeris frowned, her tail flicking. "Low-level pests. You should be able to handle this easily."
Lyra raised an eyebrow. "Should he? Because from where I'm standing, that's a lot of pests."
Reiji tightened his grip on his sword. "Suggestions, anyone?"
Aeris smirked. "Burn them."
Lyra tilted her head, a slow grin spreading across her face. "Oh, I like that idea. Too bad you're not equipped for fire magic."
Reiji ignored their commentary, his mind racing. The beetles weren't individually strong, but their numbers made them dangerous. He quickly opened his interface, focusing on his dire wolf.
"Time to test something," he muttered.
Would you like to invest Faith Points into this entity?
Reiji selected yes, funneling a small amount of Faith Points into the wolf.
[Dire Wolf – Level 30 → Level 35]
The wolf's body shimmered briefly, its muscles growing more defined as its power increased. It let out a low, menacing growl before charging into the swarm.
The beetles scattered as the wolf lunged, its claws and teeth tearing through their ranks. Chitin cracked and ichor splattered across the forest floor as the beast systematically dismantled the swarm.
"Not bad," Aeris said, watching the carnage with a satisfied expression. "Efficient, if a bit messy."
Lyra, however, seemed less impressed. "He's spending Faith Points like they're candy. What happens when he runs out?"
Reiji glanced at her, his jaw tightening. "I'm aware of the risks. But right now, survival comes first."
As the battle continued, the swarm seemed to adapt, splitting into smaller groups that surrounded the wolf. Despite its increased power, the wolf struggled to keep up with the sheer number of enemies.
Reiji cursed under his breath. "This isn't working. I need to do something else."
"Then do it," Aeris said, her tone sharp. "You're the Fateweaver, aren't you? Use your power."
Reiji hesitated. He could invest more Faith Points into the wolf, but the cost was starting to add up. And if he wasn't careful, he'd deplete his reserves before the real challenges began.
Lyra's voice broke through his thoughts. "You don't always have to fight fire with fire. Sometimes, a little misdirection can work wonders."
Reiji frowned, glancing at her. "Misdirection?"
The phoenix nodded toward a nearby cliff. "There's a ledge over there. If you can funnel the swarm in that direction, they'll have nowhere to go but over the edge."
Aeris snorted. "Creative, I'll give you that. But it requires precise timing—and some bait."
Reiji sighed. "Bait, huh? Guess that's my job."
He whistled sharply, catching the wolf's attention. "Fall back! Lead them this way!"
The wolf obeyed, breaking away from the swarm and racing toward the cliff. The beetles followed, their chittering growing louder as they pursued. Reiji ran alongside the wolf, his heart pounding as he guided them toward the ledge.
As they reached the edge, Reiji turned, raising his sword. He swung in wide arcs, keeping the beetles at bay as the wolf darted around the swarm, nipping at their legs and drawing their attention.
"Almost there," Reiji muttered, glancing over his shoulder.
With one final push, he and the wolf maneuvered the swarm to the edge. The beetles, unable to stop their momentum, tumbled over the cliff in a chaotic wave. Their chittering faded as they disappeared into the ravine below.
Reiji collapsed to his knees, breathing heavily. "That... was too close."
The wolf padded over to him, its crimson eyes glowing softly. Reiji reached out, placing a hand on its head. "Good work, buddy."
Aeris floated closer, her expression neutral. "Not bad. You handled that better than I expected."
Lyra crossed her arms, her fiery wings flickering. "A bit reckless, but effective. I'll give you that."
Reiji let out a dry laugh. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."
As the group regrouped, Reiji couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. The battle had been tough, but he'd managed to overcome it without losing too many Faith Points.
Still, a nagging thought lingered in the back of his mind. This was just the beginning. The challenges ahead would only grow more difficult, and he'd need to find new ways to adapt if he wanted to survive.
"One step at a time," Reiji murmured, standing up. "That's all I can do."
With Aeris and Lyra by his side—and their constant bickering to keep him on edge—he continued down the path, ready to face whatever the world of Eternal Realms had in store.