The Alphas Reincarnation Stats of a Wolf

The Descent of Shadows

The ground trembled beneath the weight of the serpent's rage. Tendrils of darkness lashed out like whips, striking trees and reducing them to splinters. Ryu tightened his grip on his claws, every muscle in his body ready to react, while Kierra danced nimbly around the battlefield, her daggers a blur of silver light.

Ardent stood unmoving, his blade still embedded in the ground, pulsating with strange energy. The shockwave from his strike had forced the serpent to pause, but the air between them was thick with tension, a fragile silence that could shatter at any moment.

"You can't stop it," Daegan's voice cut through the chaos, calm yet venomous. He leaned casually against the remains of a broken tree, the chains that bound him glowing faintly. His crimson eyes gleamed with twisted amusement as he watched the chaos unfold. "The shadows have already begun their awakening. What you're fighting is just a pawn."

"Shut your mouth," Ryu growled, his voice laced with fury. "One more word and I'll make sure you can't mock us again."

Daegan chuckled, unfazed. "You still don't understand, do you? This isn't about power, or even survival. It's about purpose. The shadows are a force that transcends your petty notions of good and evil. You think you're protecting something, but in truth, you're just delaying the inevitable."

The Elder, battered but standing, stepped forward, his staff glowing brighter as he drew strength from the earth itself. "The only thing inevitable here is your defeat, Daegan. The shadows may be vast, but they are not without limits. And neither are we."

Daegan smiled, his sharp teeth gleaming in the dim light. "Limits? You're about to see just how limitless they truly are."

As if responding to his words, the serpent reared back, its massive form blotting out the moonlight. A guttural roar erupted from its maw, and the shadows around it began to coalesce, forming jagged, humanoid shapes. These new figures were smaller than the serpent, but no less menacing, their glowing eyes fixed on the group.

A New Threat Emerges

"Shadow wraiths," Kierra muttered, her voice tinged with unease. "Fantastic."

The Elder raised his staff, the circle of light around him expanding. "They are servants of the shadow master, drawn to chaos and destruction. Do not let them touch you—their very essence can drain your life force."

Ryu didn't wait for further explanation. He surged forward, claws slicing through the air. The nearest wraith dissolved into wisps of smoke as his attack connected, but two more took its place almost instantly. "They're endless," he growled, spinning to fend off another strike.

"They're a distraction," Ardent said suddenly, his voice calm but firm. He pulled his sword from the ground, the dark energy surrounding it flaring brightly. "The serpent is regaining its strength. If we don't focus on it, we'll lose this fight before it even begins."

Ryu glared at him but didn't argue. Instead, he shouted to Kierra, "Cover the Elder! Make sure those wraiths don't interrupt him."

"And what about you?" Kierra shot back, slashing through a wraith that had gotten too close.

"I'm taking down that serpent," Ryu said, his crimson eyes blazing. "With or without help."

Kierra hesitated, but the Elder's voice broke through her thoughts. "Go! He'll need you once the serpent begins to falter."

She nodded and darted toward the Elder, her daggers whirling as she cut a path through the wraiths. Meanwhile, Ardent stepped up beside Ryu, his sword glowing with a strange mix of light and shadow.

"You better not get in my way," Ryu muttered, not looking at him.

Ardent smirked faintly. "Just try to keep up."

Together, they charged at the serpent.

The Clash of Titans

The serpent saw them coming and lashed out, its massive tail sweeping across the battlefield. Ryu leapt over the attack, landing on its back and digging his claws into its shadowy flesh. The creature shrieked, thrashing wildly, but Ryu held on, his claws glowing brighter as he channeled his energy into the strike.

Ardent, meanwhile, moved with precision, his sword slicing through the serpent's tendrils as they lunged for him. Each swing of his blade left trails of both light and shadow, creating a strange, unstable energy that seemed to disrupt the serpent's form.

"Whatever you're doing, keep at it!" Ryu shouted, driving his claws deeper into the serpent's back.

"I'm not doing this for you," Ardent replied, his tone sharp. "I'm doing it because this world needs to survive. For now."

The serpent roared, its body writhing as it tried to dislodge Ryu. But as it thrashed, the energy surrounding it began to shift. The shadows that formed its body grew darker, denser, and the air around it became suffocating.

"Something's wrong," Kierra called from the Elder's side. "It's… changing."

The Elder's face was pale as he gripped his staff tightly. "It's not just changing. It's evolving. The shadow master is channeling more of its power into this form."

Daegan's laughter rang out again. "Finally, you're starting to see the truth. You can't win. The shadows are infinite, and you're just mortals clinging to a dying light."

Ryu growled, his claws tearing through the serpent's flesh. "Then we'll tear it apart piece by piece if we have to."

A Revelation

As the battle raged on, the Elder's chant grew louder, the circle of light around him expanding. Kierra stood guard, her daggers flashing as she kept the wraiths at bay. But even as she fought, her eyes kept darting toward Ardent.

"Something's off about him," she muttered under her breath. "He's holding back."

Her suspicions were confirmed when Ardent suddenly paused, his sword lowered. His gaze was fixed on the serpent, but there was something distant in his eyes, as if he were seeing something beyond the battle.

"Ardent!" Ryu shouted. "What are you doing? It's not over yet!"

But Ardent didn't respond. Instead, he raised his sword slowly, its glow intensifying. The light and shadow surrounding it began to spiral together, creating a vortex of energy that seemed to pulse with a life of its own.

"What are you planning?" Kierra demanded, her voice sharp.

Ardent finally turned to look at her, his expression unreadable. "The shadows… they're not just a weapon. They're a key."

"A key to what?" Ryu snapped, landing beside him.

"To the truth," Ardent said simply.

Before anyone could stop him, he drove his sword into the ground once more. The energy surrounding it erupted outward, washing over the battlefield in a blinding wave. When the light faded, the serpent was gone.

In its place stood a figure—a man, clad in armor that seemed to be made of living shadows. His face was obscured by a helmet, but his presence was undeniable.

"The shadow master," the Elder whispered, his voice trembling.

The figure stepped forward, its voice resonating with power. "You have fought well, mortals. But this is only the beginning. The true battle lies ahead."

The group braced themselves, but the shadow master raised a hand, stopping them. "I did not come here to fight. Not yet. I came to deliver a message."

"What message?" Ryu demanded, his claws ready.

The shadow master turned his gaze to Ardent. "You know what must be done."

Ardent nodded, his expression grim. "I do."

"What the hell is going on?" Kierra shouted, her daggers at the ready. "Ardent, what are you hiding?"

But Ardent didn't answer. Instead, he turned and began walking toward the shadow master, his sword at his side.

"Stop!" Ryu shouted, moving to intercept him.

The shadow master raised a hand, and Ryu was frozen in place, unable to move. "Do not interfere," the master said. "This is his choice."

Ardent paused, looking back at the group one last time. "I'm sorry," he said quietly. "But this is the only way."

With that, he stepped into the shadows, disappearing alongside the master.

The battlefield fell silent, the wraiths dissolving into nothingness. The group was left standing in the aftermath, their minds racing with unanswered questions.

Daegan's laughter broke the silence. "You've lost more than you realize. And the game has only just begun."