Chapter 10: The Wolves Close In

The wind howled through the frozen wilderness, scattering snow across jagged cliffs as the Imperius flew low over the mountains. Marcus Domitus stood near the helm, his eyes fixed on the horizon. Behind him, the soldiers moved quietly, sharpening weapons, preparing gear, and casting uneasy glances toward the darkening skies.

The Iron Wolves were hunting them. That much Marcus knew for certain. And he had no intention of being caught unaware.

"We’ll reach the mountain pass before nightfall," Seneca said from the navigation console. "If the winds hold, we can put some distance between us and their forces."

Marcus gave a curt nod. "Distance isn’t enough. We need to figure out what they want—and why they’re following us so closely."

Gaius Varro leaned against a railing, his arms crossed, his expression grim. "I’d wager they want more than just our heads, captain. They’re too organized for that."

"Agreed." Marcus’s gaze swept the rocky landscape below. "They’re after something specific."

Seneca adjusted a dial, frowning at the readings. "It might not just be us. There’s another energy spike ahead—one similar to the obelisk we found."

Marcus’s jaw tightened. "Another fragment?"

"Possibly," Seneca replied. "Whatever it is, we can’t let the Iron Wolves get to it first."

The mountains loomed taller as the Imperius glided into a narrow pass. Sharp peaks cast jagged shadows over the snow, and the sky turned a dull shade of violet as dusk approached. The ship’s engines hummed softly, the sails billowing against the icy breeze.

Marcus scanned the cliffs above. Something felt wrong—an itch at the back of his mind, warning him of unseen dangers.

"Too quiet," Gaius muttered, voicing Marcus’s thoughts. "They’re close. I can feel it."

Before Marcus could respond, a sharp whistle cut through the air. The first bolt struck the hull of the Imperius with a deafening clang, followed by a volley of arrows and grappling hooks that latched onto the ship’s side.

"Ambush!" Marcus roared, drawing his sword. "To arms!"

The Iron Wolves swarmed from the cliffs, leaping down onto the ship with terrifying precision. They moved like shadows given form—silent, swift, and deadly. Their jagged weapons crackled with bursts of blue energy, cutting through armor and wood alike.

Marcus blocked a strike aimed at his throat, driving his sword into the chest of the nearest assailant. Sparks flew as metal clashed against metal, and the scent of ozone filled the air. "Hold the deck!" Marcus shouted. "Don’t let them breach the core!"

Gaius fought beside Marcus, his blade flashing in the fading light. "This is getting old fast!" he growled, parrying a blow from an armored assailant.

"You think I enjoy this?" Marcus shot back, driving his sword through the knee joint of another attacker. "Just keep them off the helm!"

The deck of the Imperius became a battlefield of chaos and blood. Soldiers clashed with the Iron Wolves, their movements precise but desperate. Every strike felt heavier, every moment more perilous. The enemy fought without hesitation, as if driven by some relentless purpose.

Seneca ducked beneath the railing, frantically adjusting the eterium regulators. "We need to keep the engines stable, or we’ll lose altitude!" he shouted over the din.

Marcus deflected another strike, kicking his opponent over the side of the ship. "Do what you have to!"

The Iron Wolves pressed harder, their glowing eyes flickering in the twilight. Marcus could feel the tide turning against them—the enemy was too fast, too numerous.

"Captain!" Gaius shouted, slashing through an enemy soldier. "We need to fall back! There’s too many!"

Marcus clenched his jaw, knowing Gaius was right. "All units—regroup at the aft deck! Hold them there until we reach the pass!"

The soldiers moved as one, falling back in tight formation. They fought their way toward the rear of the ship, cutting down any enemy that dared block their path. Blood slicked the deck, and the air was filled with the sounds of clashing metal and shouted orders.

"Seneca!" Marcus called. "How much longer until we reach the pass?"

"Two minutes—if the engines hold!" Seneca replied, sparks flying from the console as he adjusted the controls.

"Make it one," Marcus growled, driving his sword through the chest of another enemy.

The ship lurched as the Imperius accelerated, the sails snapping under the force of the wind. The Iron Wolves fought harder, sensing their prey slipping from their grasp. Marcus fought like a man possessed, his sword a blur of steel as he carved a path through the chaos.

Gaius fought at his side, his blade cutting down two enemies in quick succession. "We can’t hold them much longer!" he shouted. "We need to—"

Before he could finish, a massive figure landed on the deck with a thunderous crash. The Iron Wolves' leader—a hulking warrior clad in jagged black armor—rose to his full height, his gauntlet crackling with raw energy.

Marcus faced him without hesitation. "Get the men to safety, Gaius."

"I’m not leaving you here!" Gaius protested, gripping his sword.

Marcus’s expression hardened. "That’s an order."

With a reluctant nod, Gaius rallied the soldiers toward the rear deck. Marcus turned to face the armored giant, his sword raised. "Come on, then," he whispered. "Let’s see what you’ve got."

The leader of the Iron Wolves lunged, his weapon slamming into Marcus’s blade with bone-jarring force. Sparks flew as the two warriors clashed, their movements precise and brutal. Marcus fought with every ounce of skill he possessed, but the enemy was relentless, each strike faster than the last.

The two warriors circled each other, their blades ringing out in the twilight. Marcus could feel his strength waning, but he refused to back down. He fought with the ferocity of a cornered beast, knowing that retreat was not an option.

With a sudden burst of speed, Marcus sidestepped a powerful blow and drove his sword deep into the enemy’s side. The giant staggered, gasping as the energy in his armor flickered and died.

Marcus withdrew his blade, breathing hard. "Not so tough after all," he muttered, wiping the blood from his sword.

The Imperius roared through the pass, the Iron Wolves falling away as the ship surged forward. Marcus leaned heavily against the railing, watching as the enemy forces disappeared into the shadows below.

Gaius joined him, a grin spreading across his face. "Told you we’d make it."

Marcus gave a tired smile. "Barely."

Seneca stumbled onto the deck, his hands blackened from soot and sparks. "Engines held," he panted. "But next time, let’s avoid ambushes, shall we?"

Marcus chuckled, though the weight of the battle still hung heavily on his shoulders. "No promises."