Early Morning – Fog Rolling over Forks
The mist hung low over the forest as the town of Forks slowly came to life, unaware of the supernatural current running beneath its peaceful exterior.
Desmond was already awake. His breath clouded the mirror as he stared into his own eyes—searching for the truth within them. His powers were growing by the day, his body adapting, his senses sharpening. He didn't need Elias to tell him anymore—he could feel the shift.
He tied the notebook shut and slipped it into his jacket. It was no longer a guide—it was a reminder. A map of what had been, and what could be changed.
This morning wasn't like others. Today, he was hunting.
Mid-Morning – In the Forests North of Forks
Elias crouched near a fresh claw mark embedded into a tree trunk, his fingers lightly brushing it.
"He's close," Desmond said from behind him.
"The rogue wolf?" Elias asked.
Desmond nodded. "Or something pretending to be one."
They had tracked the creature from the mountains—something powerful, erratic. It had left trails of corrupted energy, like static clinging to the bark of trees. Not fully wolf… not fully anything. Just like him.
Elias handed Desmond a small glass vial. "Witchcraft detection elixir. If the creature is tainted by curses or blood magic, this will react."
Desmond pocketed it. "We're going in together?"
"No," Elias said. "You lead this one."
Desmond blinked. "Why?"
"Because it's your fight now."
Deeper into the Woods – Minutes Later
Desmond moved through the trees with silent precision, years of martial arts training sharpening his posture. A distant growl echoed—deep and guttural. His heartbeat slowed. Calm. Controlled. Ready.
He reached a clearing and saw it.
The creature.
A monstrous hybrid of wolf and something darker—its body distorted like shadowy flame wrapped in fur, eyes glowing faint red. It paused as if recognizing him… then charged.
Desmond didn't hesitate. He pivoted, sidestepped, slammed his palm against its chest and sent a blast of kinetic force into the creature.
It staggered—but didn't fall.
The creature swiped at him with claws elongated like bone spears. Desmond ducked, spun, and slashed upward with a blade forged from witch metal Elias had given him. It screamed—part howl, part shriek—and dissolved into smoke.
But not before whispering in a broken, growling voice:
"The anomaly… must be erased."
Desmond stood frozen.
He didn't just hear the words.
He felt them.
Back at Elias's Cabin – Later That Evening
Leona returned, her arm bleeding from a skirmish with another wolf pack.
"We're being hunted," she told Elias. "Whatever Desmond is… it's not just attracting enemies. It's waking them."
Desmond walked in, tossing down the torn remains of the creature's fur.
"They know I'm not from here," he said. "Not just Forks. Not just Earth. Whatever I am—it's connected to something bigger. Something that's starting to move."
Elias nodded grimly.
Leona looked at him, worry dancing in her eyes. "What do we do?"
Desmond met her gaze. "We fight smarter. We stop hiding. And we stop waiting."
He turned to the map.
"From now on, we strike first."