The forest grew denser and darker as Akira approached the Ogre-Kin outpost. The faint smell of smoke and the guttural sounds of the brutes filled the air, guiding him toward his destination. Each step felt heavier, not from exhaustion but from the rising tension of what lay ahead.

  Eventually, he reached the edge of a clearing where the Ogre-Kin had established their base. Akira crouched low behind the thick underbrush, steadying his breathing as he observed the camp.

  The outpost was a ramshackle construction of crude tents and makeshift barricades. Wooden spikes lined the perimeter, forming a haphazard defense against any intruders. The center of the camp was dominated by a large, ominous tent that radiated a sinister aura. Even from a distance, Akira could feel the oppressive energy seeping from it. The malice in the air was almost palpable, and his instincts screamed at him to stay away.

  To the left of the large tent, a grim sight caught Akira’s attention. Cages—dozens of them—lined the area, each containing Blood-Tinged Wolf cubs. The wolves were smaller than he had imagined, their fur gleaming with streaks of crimson that seemed to pulse faintly in the dim light. They were rare creatures, prized for their magical blood and sharp instincts. Seeing so many of them caged and subdued made Akira’s stomach churn with anger.

  Blood-Tinged Wolves… he thought, his fists clenching. There are so few left in the world, and they’ve captured so many…

  He estimated there were around 200 cubs, their whimpers barely audible over the coarse laughter of the Ogre-Kin guards. The sight of the wolves huddled together, some visibly wounded and others weak from neglect, only fueled Akira’s resolve.

  Scouting the Camp

  Akira began to silently circle the camp’s perimeter, noting the positions of the guards and the layout of the outpost. Most of the Ogre-Kin were lounging around crude fires, laughing and bickering over chunks of meat and stolen goods. Their large, muscular frames glistened in the firelight, their brutish weapons resting nearby.

  The camp’s defenses were minimal but strategic, with a handful of guards patrolling the perimeter. Their movements were sloppy, though, and Akira quickly identified blind spots he could exploit.

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  As he shifted to a better vantage point, his eyes returned to the large tent at the center of the camp. The sinister energy emanating from it was unlike anything he had felt before. It was thick and oppressive, like the forest itself recoiled from its presence. Akira narrowed his eyes, focusing on the tent.

  “Something—or someone—powerful is in there,” he muttered under his breath. “This isn’t just a band of raiders… there’s more to this.”

  The guards near the tent seemed more disciplined, their stances rigid and their weapons polished. It was clear this area was being treated as something important.

  The Cages

  As he crept closer to the cages, Akira could see the state of the wolves more clearly. Their once-proud forms were diminished, their crimson fur dulled from captivity. Some growled weakly at the approaching Ogre-Kin, while others lay limp, too drained to fight back.

  Akira’s heart sank as he overheard two guards talking near the cages.

  “You hear what the boss said? These wolves’re worth a fortune. Their blood’s got magic in it,” one guard said, laughing as he poked a stick through the bars of a cage.

  “Yeah, but we ain’t selling all of ’em,” the other replied. “The boss is keepin’ some for that ritual in the big tent. Dunno what for, but he says it’ll make us unstoppable.”

  Akira’s grip on his swords tightened. A ritual? That explains the malice coming from that tent. His gaze shifted back to the wolves, anger rising in his chest. And they’re using these creatures for it…

  A Plan Forms

  Akira retreated a safe distance, his mind racing as he pieced together what he had seen. The Ogre-Kin weren’t just raiding for supplies—they were part of something far more sinister. The wolves were critical to their plans, and the energy in that tent hinted at dark magic far beyond simple brute strength.

  I have to stop this ritual, Akira thought. But I can’t just rush in. The wolves need to be freed, and I need to take out as many of them as possible before they realize what’s happening.

  As he prepared to move, Akira’s Phoenix spirit flickered into view beside him, its frosty flames casting a soft glow.

  “This will be dangerous, Akira,” it said, its voice calm but concerned. “You’re strong, but you’re outnumbered. If you want to succeed, you’ll need to strike quickly and precisely.”

  “I know,” Akira whispered, his resolve firm. “But I can’t let them continue this. Those wolves… they’re innocent. And whatever’s in that tent… it can’t be allowed to come to fruition.”

  The spirit nodded, its form shimmering. “Then I’ll guide you. Let’s end this.”

  With his plan forming and his resolve solidified, Akira began to move again, slipping through the shadows toward the camp. The fight ahead would be grueling, but he had no intention of failing—not when so much was at stake.