Chapter 373: The First Blood

The Tidebreaker lunged after Holly.

Snow exploded behind it as it lunged, one paw aimed at her and its mouth open in a roar, fangs glinting in the light.

Holly froze immediately.

Her breath locked in her throat, eyes wide, legs refusing to move as the beast closed the distance in terrifying bounds.

"Holly, move!" Bianca shouted from the side.

But fear rooted her to the spot.

Before the Tidebreaker could reach her, a sharp thud cracked through the air.

A dagger slammed into the trunk of a nearby tree, burying itself deep into the bark just inches from the beast’s head.

The Tidebreaker skidded to a halt, snarling, head snapping toward the new threat.

Sophia stood several yards away, shoulders squared, another dagger already in her hand.

"Hey, ugly," she muttered under her breath.

The Tidebreaker’s attention locked onto her instantly.

With a furious roar, it pivoted and charged.

Sophia ran.

She sprinted through the trees, boots cutting through snow as the beast thundered after her, each of its strides eating up the distance between them.

Thankfully, she had not put much hope in Holly doing her work effectively.

She ran straight toward where the others were already waiting.

The forest erupted with movement immediately she reached them.

Joren shifted mid-stride, bones cracking as Gale surged forward, massive wolf form slamming into the Tidebreaker’s side just as it lunged for Sophia.

The impact sent both beasts crashing into the snow.

Bianca came in from the left, axe raised high, bringing it down in a brutal arc toward the Tidebreaker’s shoulder. The blade bit into thick hide, not deep enough to cripple it, but enough to draw a furious snarl.

Uther’s arrows flew a heartbeat later.

One struck the beast’s flank. Another glanced off its ribs. A third hit closer to the neck, making it rear back with a roar of rage.

Miles darted in and out of range, slashing at its legs, forcing it to shift its stance, keeping it off balance.

But the Tidebreaker was strong.

It slammed Gale aside with a massive paw, sending him skidding across the snow, then spun toward Bianca, jaws snapping dangerously close to her arm.

"Bianca, down!" Miles shouted.

She dropped just as the beast lunged over her, missing her by inches.

And that was the moment.

The Tidebreaker reared up, chest exposed.

Sophia was already moving.

She surged forward, blades in hand, eyes locked on the vulnerable spot beneath its thick hide, just where the armor thinned.

"Now!" she shouted.

Gale slammed into its back legs, forcing it to lose balance.

Uther’s arrow struck the exposed flesh, piercing deep.

Sophia drove her dagger in right after.

Bianca came in from the side, axe swinging with all her strength, burying the blade into the same weak point.

The Tidebreaker released a pained sound.

A sound so raw and violent it sent shivers through the trees.

Then it collapsed.

Heavy body crashing into the snow, breath shuddering once... then going still.

For half a second, no one moved.

Then Sophia straightened sharply.

"We did it. We killed one," Uther said, climbing down from where he had been shooting his arrows.

The others nodded. Even Holly was shocked that they had done it.

"We have three more, let’s go," Sophia said.

They scattered immediately now with anticipation that they could actually do this.

The second Tidebreaker fell faster. Holly did her job as bait and led it to the agreed point, a narrow clearing where fallen trees boxed it in from both sides.

Miles cut across its path, forcing it to turn.

Joren shifted and hit it head-on, taking the brunt of the charge while Bianca attacked from the flank, driving it into a stumble.

Uther waited.

The moment the beast raised its chest to strike, his arrow flew straight into the vulnerable flesh.

Sophia finished it with a sword to the same spot.

It collapsed in a heap of steam and blood.

They didn’t slow down and immediately moved to the next one.

They moved as one unit now.

The third Tidebreaker was smarter.

It circled them, refusing to commit, eyes sharp and calculating.

Sophia baited it, retreating deliberately, letting it think she was isolated.

When it lunged, Gale slammed into it from the side, Bianca followed with a brutal chop, and Miles darted in low, slicing at the inside of its legs.

Uther’s arrow struck its chest.

Sophia ended it.

Three down.

One left.

The last Tidebreaker fought like it knew it was alone.

It roared, charging wildly, throwing its weight around, knocking Joren into the snow and nearly crushing Miles beneath its paw.

But desperation made it sloppy.

When it reared again, Bianca, Sophia, and even Holly—which to Sophia was extremely shocking that she even helped—struck together.

And it fell.

Four massive bodies lay scattered across the snow.

But that wasn’t enough to relax. Sophia made sure to remember every place where her daggers were, and she was going to retrieve them back. She only had three with her now, and she liked the daggers too much to just let them go, especially since they were specifically made for her.

Her grip tightened on her weapon.

"Don’t drop your guard, guys," she said quietly. "Let’s not forget that this place is a nest. I don’t believe that there are just four Tidebreakers here. I think there could be more."

"True," Bianca said with a nod.

Snow drifted down in soft silence as they all listened and observed for signs of any more beasts.

Seconds passed.

Then a minute.

Nothing.

Holly sagged slightly. "We’ve been standing here forever," she muttered. "I’m freezing. And I smell disgusting. And I’m exhausted and—"

"Holly, stop talking," Bianca hissed.

But it was too late.

A low growl rolled through the forest.

Then another.

Holly’s body went still.

Sophia’s eyes widened. "Run!"

They split instantly, scattering in different directions, scent trails pulling the incoming beasts apart.

Two Tidebreakers burst from the trees, charging after Joren and Bianca.

Another surged toward Miles and Uther.

But one stayed.

It lowered its massive head and sniffed the air.

Then its gaze locked onto Holly, who stood frozen.

The Tidebreaker stepped closer and sniffed her again.

She trembled violently, fear locking her body in place.

"Holly, run!" Sophia screamed.

Holly didn’t move.

"Run!" Sophia screamed again, voice breaking.