Final Life Online-Chapter 249: Sun island XIX

Aria nodded. "It felt like the magic inside it was unstable."

Rhys looked up the trail. "We should stay alert. There might be more creatures like it."

Caria stretched her arms. "Then we just smash them. Easy."

Lyra poked her shoulder. "You say that now, but next time try not to get tossed like a rag doll."

Caria shrugged. "Worth it."

Puddle peeked over a rock. "Puddle strong too! Puddle help again!"

Rhys smiled and patted Puddle gently. "You did great."

They rested for a few minutes before climbing again. As they went higher, the sound of running water reached them—a stream cutting across the path. The water was clear and cold.

Aria knelt and dipped her fingers in. "This water is fresh. Comes from somewhere higher."

Rhys nodded. "Then we follow it. Streams usually lead to caves or passes."

As they walked beside the stream, the air grew misty. Fog rolled down from the peaks above, making it harder to see.

Lyra slowed down. "Something feels off."

Rhys raised his hand. Everyone stopped.

Puddle tilted its head. "Smells weird. Like... cold? Wet? Hmm..."

Then they heard it.

A low, echoing howl carried through the fog.

Caria gripped her axe. "Another beast?"

Aria shook her head. "That didn’t sound like the mountain beast. Something faster."

The fog thickened until they could barely see a few steps ahead.

Sophia whispered, "Should we fall back?"

Rhys stepped forward slowly. "No. Stay close. Whatever’s making that sound... it’s watching us."

A second howl came—closer this time.

Lyra unsheathed her blades. "Everyone get ready."

Shapes moved in the fog. Shadows darted between the rocks.

Puddle floated lower, eyes wide. "They coming... many!"

Rhys tightened his grip on his sword.

"Pack hunters," he said.

"And they’ve already surrounded us."

The next challenge of the mountain had arrived—and this time, there was more than one.

Rhys stepped into a defensive stance, eyes scanning the shifting fog. The shapes were getting clearer—lean, fast-moving forms circling them from every direction.

Caria rolled her shoulders. "Finally, something that moves fast. I was getting bored."

Lyra didn’t look away from the fog. "Don’t get cocky. Fast enemies are dangerous."

Aria took a calm breath. "Stay close. If they’re pack hunters, they’ll try to isolate someone."

Sophia raised her staff, the tip glowing faintly. "I’m ready."

Puddle shivered but floated beside Rhys. "Puddle brave... Puddle brave... but also scared..."

Rhys placed a hand on Puddle’s head. "Stay behind me. Help when you can."

The fog shifted again—and this time, the creatures revealed themselves.

They were wolf-like, but bigger and leaner, their fur dark silver with streaks of icy blue. Their eyes glowed dimly, and cold mist drifted from their mouths.

Lyra whispered, "Frostfang wolves."

Aria nodded. "Mountain predators. They hunt in groups and freeze their prey before attacking."

Caria smirked. "Good thing we’re not prey."

The largest wolf—the alpha—stepped forward. Ice crackled along its back as it growled, low and threatening.

Rhys tightened his grip on his sword. "Here they come."

The wolves lunged.

Two jumped at Caria from the left. She swung her axe in a wide arc, knocking one aside and blocking the second with her armguard.

Lyra dashed forward, meeting a wolf mid-jump and slicing across its side before rolling away.

Aria waved her hand, creating a burst of wind that forced three wolves back, slowing their approach.

Sophia fired a quick Light Bullet, the glowing shot hitting a wolf in the face and making it stumble.

Puddle hovered up and unleashed a Water Jet at a wolf charging Rhys.

"Back! Back, icy dog!"

The jet struck, freezing slightly on contact but pushing the wolf away.

Rhys used the opening to strike the alpha. His sword hit its shoulder, leaving a deep cut—but the wolf recovered fast, its jaws snapping dangerously close.

Rhys jumped back. "It’s tough!"

Aria called out, "The alpha controls the pack! If we take it down, the others might retreat!"

Caria grinned. "Then let’s cut down the big one!"

But the wolves didn’t give them time to regroup. Four attacked from behind, forcing the team to split.

Sophia shouted, "Careful! They’re trying to surround us again!"

Lyra quickly struck another wolf in the leg. "Break their formation!"

Puddle began glowing faintly. "Puddle use light! Light help friends!"

A small golden circle appeared beneath Puddle—Gleaming Halo. Warm light spread over the party again, easing wounds and keeping them steady.

Rhys felt his strength sharpen. "Thanks, Puddle!"

With renewed focus, he rushed at the alpha again, Caria joining from the side.

Caria slammed her axe down on the alpha’s back. "Stay still!"

The alpha snarled, ice forming around its paws. It leaped back and unleashed a blast of freezing breath.

Aria pushed forward with wind magic, diverting most of the cold air away.

Sophia aimed carefully. "I’ll blind it!" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

A bright flash shot from her staff. The light struck the alpha’s eyes, making it jerk its head away.

Rhys didn’t waste the moment.

He charged and drove his blade straight into the wolf’s chest.

The alpha howled, stumbled, and collapsed.

As soon as it fell, the other wolves hesitated. Their growls softened. One by one, they backed away into the fog, disappearing as quickly as they had appeared.

Silence returned.

Caria leaned on her axe. "That was fun."

Lyra exhaled heavily. "Your definition of fun is terrible."

Sophia sighed in relief. "At least they’re gone."

Aria nodded. "For now."

Puddle floated proudly. "Puddle help again! Puddle strong friend!"

Rhys sheathed his sword and looked ahead into the thinning fog. "The mountains are getting harsher. Let’s move before more show up."

The group gathered themselves and continued up the trail—more cautious, more alert, and ready for whatever waited higher up the mountain.

They pushed deeper into the mountains. The fog slowly thinned until the path became clearer again, but the cold stayed sharp.

Caria kicked a small rock out of the way. "If that was just the warm-up, these mountains are going to be fun."

Lyra shot her a look. "Fun is not the word I’d use."

Aria glanced behind them. "At least the wolves didn’t follow."

"Because Puddle very scary," Puddle said proudly, puffing up.

Sophia laughed softly. "Yes, very scary."

Rhys smiled but kept walking. "Stay focused. If wolves are hunting in this area, then something stronger lives even farther up."