Chapter 4 The Hunt Begins

• Lyra’s heart raced as she and Kylan sprinted through the dense underbrush, the howl of the Bloodbound echoing in the night. The sound was a chilling reminder that time was running out, and they had to reach Ryan before the moon reached its zenith.
• “Keep moving!” Kylan urged, his voice sharp with urgency. He led the way, deftly navigating the tangled roots and thorny vines that threatened to trip them. Lyra followed closely, her mind racing with thoughts of her brother and the horrifying fate that awaited him.
• The trees loomed around them, dark silhouettes that seemed to watch as they fled. Lyra couldn’t shake the feeling that something was following them, stalking them through the night. She could almost feel the weight of the wolf’s gaze on her back, a predatory hunger that sent shivers down her spine.
• “We need a plan,” Kylan said, glancing back at her. “If we’re going to confront the Bloodbound, we have to be smart about it. They’re stronger in numbers and know these woods better than we do.”
• “What about the Heartwood?” Lyra asked, her breath coming in short gasps. “Can we go back there for help?”
• Kylan shook his head. “It’s too dangerous now. We can’t risk being caught near the Heartwood without a solid plan. We need to find a way to lure them away from Ryan.”
• Lyra nodded, her mind racing with possibilities. “What if we set a trap? If we can distract them, we might buy enough time to get to Ryan.”
• “That could work,” Kylan replied, his expression thoughtful. “But we’ll need to find a clearing where they’ll be drawn in. I know of a place where they often gather. It’s risky, but it might be our best shot.”
• They pressed on, their feet moved against the forest floor as they navigated the twisting paths. As they ran, Lyra’s mind wandered to Ryan. She could picture his face, his bright smile, and his boundless energy. She couldn’t bear the thought of him being lost to the curse. She had to save him.
• The trees began to thin, and Kylan suddenly slowed, holding up a hand. “We’re close,” he whispered.
• Lyra squinted ahead, trying to make out the details in the dim light. Just beyond the trees, a clearing opened up, illuminated by the moon. It was a small, circular space surrounded by a ring of tall, ancient oaks. The ground was soft and covered in moss, and in the center stood a weathered stone altar, its surface etched with strange symbols.
• “This is it,” Kylan said, stepping cautiously into the clearing. “If we can lure the Bloodbound here, we can use the altar as a shield.”
• Lyra approached the altar, her fingers brushing against the rough stone. “What do we do?” she asked, glancing around nervously.
• “We’ll need to make noise,” Kylan suggested. “Something to attract them. I can use my voice to mimic a call, but we’ll need to make it sound convincing.”
• “Okay,” Lyra agreed, her heart pounding. “But how do we make sure it works?”
• Kylan thought for a moment before reaching into his pack. He pulled out a small flute, carved from bone, and held it up. “This is a calling flute,” he explained. “I inherited it from my father. It has a unique sound that can carry through the forest.”
• Lyra watched as he raised the flute to his lips, the tension palpable in the air. The haunting melody that emerged sent a chill down her spine. It was both beautiful and eerie, echoing through the clearing like a siren’s call.
• As the last note faded, Kylan lowered the flute and listened intently. “Now we wait,” he said, his expression serious.
• They stood in silence, the moon casting long shadows across the clearing. Lyra’s heart raced, each second stretching into an eternity. She strained her ears, listening for any sign of the Bloodbound.
• Suddenly, the underbrush rustled, and a low growl echoed through the trees. Lyra’s breath caught in her throat. The Bloodbound were close.
• Kylan moved behind the altar, signaling for Lyra to join him. “Stay low,” he whispered, crouching down to hide behind the stone.
• Lyra followed his lead, her heart pounding in her chest as the growls grew louder. Shadows flitted through the trees, dark figures moving with uncanny speed. They were coming, and soon they would be upon them.
• From her hiding spot, Lyra could see the first Bloodbound emerge from the forest, its massive frame silhouetted against the moonlight. It was a sleek black wolf, its fur gleaming like obsidian, and its amber eyes glowed with a primal intensity. More followed, a pack of them, their presence a dark tide that surged into the clearing.
• “Now!” Kylan hissed, his voice low but urgent.
• Lyra took a deep breath and reached for a small handful of stones that lay scattered near the altar. She hurled them into the forest beyond the clearing, sending them crashing through the underbrush. The sound echoed like a gunshot, startling the wolves.
• The lead wolf turned, its ears perked as it zeroed in on the noise. The others followed suit, their eyes narrowing, muscles tensing as they prepared to chase whatever had disrupted their hunting grounds.
• Kylan took a step forward, ready to grab the attention of the pack. “This way!” he shouted, his voice going through the clearing.
• The wolves turned, their focus shifting to him as they instinctively closed in. The lead wolf let out a piercing howl, rallying the pack as they charged toward Kylan.
• Lyra’s heart raced, her instincts screaming at her to run, but she forced herself to stay put. They had to lure them away from Ryan. She clutched the altar, feeling the energy of the stone pulsating beneath her fingers.
• Kylan darted around the altar, drawing the wolves deeper into the clearing, away from the direction they had gone. The pack followed, their snarls filling the air as they chased him with fierce determination.
• “Lyra!” Kylan called, his voice filled with urgency. “Get to the other side of the altar! I’ll keep them busy!”
• “What about you?” she shouted back, panic rising in her chest. “You can’t take them all on alone!”
• “I’ll be fine!” he insisted, his gaze fierce. “Just trust me!”
• With a nod, Lyra bolted around the altar, keeping her eyes on Kylan as he dashed in a wide arc, evading the snapping jaws of the wolves. She felt the energy of the Heartwood surging within her, and she knew she had to focus. If they were going to succeed, they had to work together.
• “Over here!” Kylan shouted, leading the wolves further away.
• Lyra positioned herself behind the altar, searching for anything she could use to her advantage. Her eyes fell on the ancient symbols etched into the stone, glowing faintly in the moonlight. They pulsed with power, and she felt the energy thrumming in the surrounding air.
• “Come on!” Kylan yelled again, drawing the attention of the pack. He was quick and agile, darting between the trees and keeping the wolves at bay. But she could see the strain on his face, the way he was starting to tire. They couldn’t hold this off forever.
• “Please,” Lyra whispered, reaching out to the spirit of the forest. “Give me strength.”
• As if in response, a surge of power coursed through her, filling her with energy and clarity. She focused on the symbols on the altar, recalling the spirit’s words about sacrifice and the bonds of family. If she was going to save Ryan, she needed to channel that energy into something more.
• With determination, she reached for the altar’s surface, pressing her palm against the stone. She closed her eyes, visualizing the connection to her brother, to the Heartwood, to the strength of her ancestors.
• “Let this power guide me,” she murmured. “Let me protect my family.”
• The symbols beneath her hand flared to life, radiating warmth and energy. She could feel the magic responding to her intent, rising like a tide.
• “Kylan!” she shouted, her voice breaking through the chaos. “I’m going to channel the magic!”
• He glanced back at her, his eyes wide with understanding. “Do it! Just be careful!”
• Lyra focused, pouring her heart into the magic coursing through her. The energy surged, taking form around her. Wisps of light began to swirl, creating a protective barrier around the altar.
• The wolves skidded to a halt, their eyes widening in surprise as they felt the shift in the air. The lead wolf, the massive black one, let out a low growl, its instincts telling it to retreat.
• But Lyra wouldn’t let them. “This ends now!” she declared, her voice steady as the light intensified around her.
• The wolves hesitated, shifting uneasily as the magic pushed against them, forming a barrier that kept them at bay. The lead wolf snarled, pacing back and forth as it tried to assess the situation.
• Lyra felt Kylan at her side, his presence grounding her. “You can do this,” he said, his voice filled with unwavering support. “Just focus on Ryan.”
• With that, Lyra closed her eyes again, allowing the magic to wash over her. She envisioned her brother, his laughter ringing in her ears, the warmth of their family wrapped around her like a protective blanket.
• “Ryan!” she shouted, her voice echoing through the clearing. “I will find you."