Vivienne withdrew her gaze and, along with Percival, ventured deeper into the woods.
Indeed, as Carly had mentioned, the scent of the wild - a mix of wolf and boar - was strong, explaining Vivienne's cautious steps.
They had barely advanced when an eerie green glow emerged from the underbrush. Vivienne, expressionless, scattered a packet of powder into the bushes before the creatures could react.
The green light flickered wildly before a thud echoed through the serene forest.
"Amateurs," Vivienne scoffed, unimpressed by the threat these creatures posed.
As Vivienne and Percival turned to continue, the fallen pack of wolves suddenly rose, their eyes glowing even more intensely.
The alpha wolf locked eyes with Vivienne and growled deeply before lunging at her.
Percival, swift as ever, drew his dagger and struck, with the wolves joining the fray. Despite the blades piercing their flesh, the wolves seemed exhilarated by the bloodshed.
Vivienne realized something was amiss and advised Percival, "Don't go head-to-head; they're frenzied."
Acknowledging her advice, they regrouped back-to-back, adjusting their strategy.
Seizing an opportunity, Vivienne plunged her dagger into the temple of the alpha wolf, which collapsed and didn't rise again.
Handing her blade to Percival under the moonlight, its poisoned tip gleamed. "We need to move quickly. This commotion will draw their attention," she whispered, sensing more danger approaching.
Feeling a sense of unease, Vivienne watched as a wolf broke away, standing on a rock howling at the sky.
Exchanging a glance with Percival, they split up to cover more ground.
Vivienne, heading left, stumbled into a den of snakes, disturbing their slumber as she passed. With nothing but a sturdy branch and her wits, she fashioned a makeshift bow and arrow, dispatching any threat with precision.
By the time she had dealt with the snakes and collected their venom, the forest was littered with the fallen.
"Is that all they've got?" she mused disdainfully.
By the time the patrol arrived, Vivienne and Percival were long gone, leaving behind a gruesome scene.
"Everyone, converge here! We've got intruders!" Gregg barked into his radio.
Those guarding the cabin hesitated, "Should we join them?"
"That's an order!" came the reply. They were concerned about abandoning their posts, but soon, they were the only ones left.
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