The Alphas Reincarnation Stats of a Wolf

A Web of Shadows - The Breaking Point

The golden light radiating from Ardent's armor bathed the clearing, illuminating every corner where the shadows had thrived. The beasts Daegan summoned writhed in agony before disintegrating, leaving behind wisps of darkness that faded into the air.

Ryu stood frozen for a moment, unsure whether to feel relief or unease at Ardent's sudden intervention.

"Now, Ryu!" Ardent's booming voice snapped him back to the moment.

Ryu's claws glowed faintly, a surge of power coursing through him. He charged at Daegan, aiming to strike while the shadows were subdued. Daegan, however, remained unflinching.

"You think I'm weakened?" Daegan hissed, his crimson eyes narrowing. "The light only delays the inevitable!"

With a guttural roar, Daegan raised both arms. The ground beneath him cracked, and a massive wave of shadows burst forth, swallowing the clearing in darkness once again.

The Chaos Unleashed

Ardent's light flickered as the wave surged toward him, but he held his ground. His sword, now glowing with radiant energy, carved through the encroaching shadows with precision.

"Stay back!" he barked at Kierra and Fenn, who were struggling to regroup. "This is beyond you!"

"Like hell it is!" Kierra shot back, hurling a dagger that embedded itself in a nearby shadow beast. "We've fought too hard to let you take over now!"

Fenn grinned weakly as he joined her side. "Yeah, no offense, shiny boy, but we don't need a hero swooping in to save us."

Ardent scowled but didn't argue. Instead, he redirected his focus to Daegan, who had now risen into the air, surrounded by a vortex of shadows.

"Do you see now, little Alpha?" Daegan taunted, his voice echoing through the clearing. "You can't defeat me. The shadows are my domain, and you've walked right into it."

Ryu's Awakening

Ryu growled, his claws digging into the dirt as he steadied himself against the overwhelming pressure. He could feel the weight of the shadows pressing against his body, threatening to crush him.

But then, something stirred within him—a flicker of light, buried deep in his chest. It was faint but growing stronger with each breath.

"You talk too much," Ryu muttered, his voice low but steady.

Closing his eyes, he focused on the energy building inside him. His claws began to glow brighter, their usual faint aura replaced by a brilliant, fiery light. The warmth spread through his limbs, burning away the cold grip of the shadows.

When he opened his eyes, they burned with the same fiery glow.

Daegan's smirk faltered. "What… what is this?"

Ryu lunged forward, his movements a blur. The shadows recoiled as he tore through them, his claws leaving streaks of light in their wake.

"Your domain, huh?" Ryu said, his voice filled with determination. "Let's see how it holds up against this!"

With a powerful leap, he closed the distance between himself and Daegan, slashing through the vortex of shadows surrounding him.

A Turning Point

The impact sent both Ryu and Daegan crashing to the ground. For a moment, the clearing was silent, the oppressive shadows dissipating like mist.

Daegan struggled to his feet, his breathing ragged. "You… you think this changes anything? I'm not done yet!"

Before he could summon another attack, Ardent stepped forward, his sword raised. "It's over, Daegan. Surrender, or face the consequences."

Daegan glared at him, his crimson eyes filled with hatred. But before he could respond, Ryu interrupted.

"No."

Both Ardent and Daegan turned to him, confused.

"This isn't over," Ryu said, his voice firm. "Not until I get answers. Why are you doing this? What's your endgame?"

Daegan chuckled weakly, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. "You really think I'll tell you? You're just a pawn in a much bigger game, Alpha. And you don't even know who's pulling the strings."

Ryu's claws tightened, but he didn't strike. Instead, he looked to Kierra and Fenn, who had finally caught up.

"What do we do with him?" Ryu asked, his voice heavy with exhaustion.

Kierra crossed her arms. "The elder wanted him alive. But I don't trust Ardent to let that happen."

Ardent bristled. "He's too dangerous to be kept alive. He's already caused enough destruction."

"Then we make sure he can't cause any more," Ryu said, stepping forward. "But we do it our way—not yours."

To Be Continued