Midnight draped the sky in velvet darkness as faint blue wisps of magic drifted lazily through the trees. The forest gave way to shimmering stones and glowing roots, marking the edge of the village, a place said to be born of spellfire and old song.
Axel walked in silence.
His footsteps were light despite the weight he carried, Kyra curled against his chest, arms loosely wrapped around his neck, her face tucked peacefully into the crook of his shoulder. Her small body rose and fell in rhythm with his breath, the faintest smile on her lips. She muttered something in her sleep and squeezed him tighter.
Korrak followed close, lean and muscular, watchful. His steps echoed like a shield behind them. The troll's glowing eyes scanned the unfamiliar village with cautious reverence. Lanterns floated on invisible strings above the cobblestone streets, casting swirling lights on mossy roofs and vine-wrapped chimneys. Arcane glyphs shimmered on every doorframe.
They reached the center of the village, where a domed stone inn stood, enchanted vines creeping up its side like veins of life itself. Its sign read: The Crescent Cauldron.
Before Axel could knock, the wooden door creaked open, revealing a tall, silver-bearded man in violet robes. A wizard. His staff pulsed with blue light, and his one good eye twinkled with mischief.
He bowed slightly.
"Well, well. The Black Wolf, in flesh and steel. Monster protector, guardian of the lost. Of course we have a room for you. Three beds, yes?"
Axel blinked.
He hadn't said a word.
His eyes narrowed slightly, but not in threat, just… curiosity.
Monster protector?
The words rolled in his head. Soft. Strange. Not a title given by humans.
Yet somehow, he didn't dislike it.
So that's what they're calling me now…
But how the hell did it spread so fast?
Still, he gave a short nod, then corrected,
"Only two beds. Kyra doesn't like sleeping alone."
The wizard smiled wider, knowingly, and stepped aside.
"Very well. Room 7. Warded for peace. No spells. No harm. Sleep easy, protector."
They moved quietly up the spiral stairs, entering the small but warm room. The wooden floor creaked under Axel's weight as Axel stepped to the largest bed and gently laid Kyra down. She murmured but didn't wake, just turned slightly and reached toward him instinctively.
Axel looked down at her, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. Then he whispered,
"Black Wolf. Enter rest mode."
The armor obeyed instantly, hissing as it retracted into the black gauntlet around his forearm, the crimson veins dimming to nothing.
He climbed into bed beside her.
Kyra immediately clung to him, tiny arms wrapping around his chest, her head resting on his shoulder once again. Her small sigh of contentment warmed something in him he hadn't felt in years.
Korrak grunted as he sank into the second bed.
Then came the question.
"Why?"
His voice was low. Honest.
"Why do you treat her like family?"
Axel stared at the ceiling for a second, before turning his head slightly.
"Because she is my family," he said.
His voice wasn't unsure. It was truth.
He glanced toward Korrak and added,
"You are too. Part of my pack."
There was silence.
Then a slow smile broke across the troll's young and clean features. Not the grin of a warrior, but something gentler. Softer.
He nodded.
"…Good pack," Korrak said, before turning over and letting the night claim him.
Axel looked down at the girl who once trembled in fear at his approach. Now she slept soundly in his arms, trusting, safe.
The world outside still burned.
But here, for a moment…
There was peace.
And in the dark, a name lingered...
Monster Protector.
And this time, he didn't run from it.
Morning sunlight spilled through the stained-glass windows of the Crescent Cauldron's restaurant, painting soft hues across the polished wooden floor. The air was warm with the scent of cinnamon bread, fireroot sausage, and glowing berry tea.
Axel sat at a corner table near the window, Kyra in his lap as she nibbled on a sticky honeyfruit tart. Korrak sat across from them, a full table's worth of food stacked in front of him, disappearing quickly into the eager troll's mouth.
Kyra giggled as she dipped a roll into jam and smeared a little on Axel's chin. He gave her a flat look.
"Seriously?"
She just laughed harder. "You missed a spot."
Axel sighed, wiping it off. "How does someone so small eat so messy?"
"Practice," she said with a proud nod, then took another huge bite.
Korrak chuckled through a mouthful of eggs. "She learns fast."
"Great," Axel muttered. "Just what I needed. A sticky goblin apprentice."
"Sticky wolf now," Kyra added with a grin.
The three of them shared an easy moment, light and calm. It was rare. Precious.
But then, the peace shattered.
A loud commotion rose from outside, the clamor of voices, footsteps, and the ring of bells. People shouting, gathering in the square.
Axel stood immediately, Kyra still holding onto his arm as he set her on the floor. Korrak grabbed the last sausage and followed as they headed for the exit.
They stepped outside into a crowd forming in the village center.
At the heart of it, standing on the edge of the old fountain, her cloak billowing in the breeze, was Sylthea Arcane.
Her long hair shimmered black in the sun, her black and violet eyes glowing with conviction as she raised her voice over the murmurs.
"The Black Wolf is real!" she cried, arms wide. "A former Exterminator. A monster-killer turned monster protector!"
The crowd gasped and whispered, magic-users, druids, witches, and beasts alike drawn to her presence.
"He fights for us now!" Sylthea continued. "He has turned against the humans! Against the tyranny of Bastion! He has saved trolls, goblins, and children alike. He is not our hunter anymore, he is our savior!"
"Spread the word! To every village, every forest and cavern. Tell them... The Black Wolf walks among us and he will set us free!"
The reaction was instant.
Whispers turned into cheers. Excitement bloomed like wildfire.
"The Monster Protector!"
"The Black Wolf lives!"
"Our savior is here!"
Axel groaned under his breath. "You've got to be kidding me."
He pushed through the crowd as the villagers parted like a tide. Magic users bowed slightly as he passed, eyes wide with reverence. He ignored them.
"Black Wolf… he's real…" one of them whispered.
"Thank the stars… maybe there's hope…"
Axel reached Sylthea, grabbed her arm, and pulled her down off the fountain. She barely had time to snatch her satchel before she stumbled into his side.
"Hey!" she protested. "I was inspiring the people!"
"You were starting a revolution in your pajamas," Axel said flatly, dragging her toward the edge of the square. "Are you trying to paint a target on my head even bigger than it already is?"
Kyra ran up and hugged Sylthea around the waist. "Hi Syl!"
Sylthea softened immediately. "Hey, little wolf," she said, ruffling Kyra's hair before noticing the tall troll standing nearby.
Her eyes lit up. "And who's this?"
Korrak, caught mid-scratch, stood straight. "I… I'm Korrak. Just Korrak."
She extended a hand, smiling. "Sylthea Arcane."
He shook her hand carefully, but his cheeks darkened with an unfamiliar warmth. "Nice to… um… meet."
"Same," Sylthea said with a wink, then turned back to Axel.
Axel crossed his arms. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"Spreading the good news," she replied with a shrug. "People deserve to know."
"And what happens when the other Exterminators hears that you're calling me the non humans savior?"
Sylthea's grin didn't fade. "Then I guess you'll have to keep saving people."
Axel pinched the bridge of his nose. "You ready to move?"
"Been ready. I knew you were coming."
Axel raised an eyebrow. "You said goodbye to your father already?"
Sylthea looked down for a moment, voice quiet. "Yeah. He knew I'd go when the Black Wolf showed up."
Axel shook his head and turned, walking toward the village's outer path.
"Let's go, before the next crowd starts chanting."
Sylthea gave Kyra a quick hug, smiled at Korrak again, then followed.
The four of them walked down the winding road beneath a sky tinged gold by morning light.
One Ex-Exterminator.
One goblin child.
One young troll.
And one runaway witch.
The world didn't know what was coming.
But it would soon.