Title - The Court of Overwild
A haunting silence surrounded them. Tyson, Rook, Lyra, Aria, and Dr. Elish stood in the middle of a half-circle formation of armored beings. Wolves on two legs, bearing crested shields and ornate swords, glared with glowing yellow eyes. These were no ordinary wolves—these were the Knight Sentinels of Overwild.
"You have no right to take us!" Rook growled, eyes burning with defiance. "Give me my sword back and I'll show these mutts what real steel feels like."
Tyson stepped forward quickly and placed a firm hand on Rook's chest. "Rook, enough. We have to be careful. The girls are with us."
Zafar, the lead wolf-knight with a scar slicing through one eye, turned his head. "Wise words, human. You're not as foolish as your friend."
Tyson nodded reluctantly. "We'll come with you—but only on one condition. We want our weapons back."
Zafar bared his fangs in a grin. "That decision lies with the King of Overwild himself. For now, you're our prisoner . Act out of line, and even your shadows won't escape."
Dr. Elish and Aria exchanged a glance, both visibly tense. But it was Lyra who stepped forward, folding her arms with resolve. "Then let's go. We don't have time to waste."
Tyson echoed her determination. "We need answers, not delay."
Zafar turned and growled to his knights, "Eyes on all of them. Move."
They were marched forward, deeper into the forest of Overwild. Twisting vines parted as if fearing the authority of the wolves. The group passed through a curtain of moss and emerged before a breathtaking sight—an entire hidden kingdom lay sprawled before them.
Castles of white marble shimmered under filtered sunlight. Small stone houses sat nestled beneath enormous trees. Forts built of root and stone rose in the distance, and hanging gardens stretched from branch to branch like floating sanctuaries.
Lyra gasped, unable to hide her awe. "Who built all this...?"
Zafar turned slowly, his voice a growl. "Silence. Or you'll wish you never spoke."
Rook clenched his fists. Lyra stepped back, jaw tightening, but neither of them acted. They knew it wasn't time. Not yet.
They reached a gleaming staircase carved into a hill, leading up to the main castle—an ivory palace surrounded by blooming vines and guarded by animal warriors of every species. Lions, cheetahs, deer, bears, even boars—each clad in royal armor, eyes sharp and fixed.
Inside the grand hall, they were brought before the throne of King Adam, a powerful lion-man draped in gold and red robes. The whispers of the court buzzed like bees.
"Humans... in Overwild?" "They bring ruin with them." "King Adam will deal with them."
Zafar stomped his staff. "Silence before the King!"
King Adam leaned forward, his mane flowing like firelight. His voice was deep, regal, and laced with authority. "Humans are forbidden in Overwild. What are you doing here?"
Tyson bowed slightly. "Your Majesty... we are a group of travelers. We lost our path. We've had no food or water for three days. We saw a gate... and walked through. That is all."
A monkey courtier shrieked. "Do not trust them, my King! They lie! They will burn our woods and poison our rivers!"
"Enough!" roared Adam. The court fell silent.
He stared into Tyson's eyes. "You say you're travelers. But one of my knights says your ship is the Black Eagle. The legendary ghost ship of the sea. How did it come into your possession?"
Tyson hesitated, then answered truthfully. "We were caught in the tides of the Hell Ocean. Our boat was destroyed. That ship saved us."
Zafar narrowed his eyes. "No one escapes the Hell of the Ocean. No one."
Rook chuckled darkly. "That's because none of them were us. We survive what others fear. We're not here for war. We're here for purpose."
Adam leaned back, unimpressed. "Purpose? What purpose leads humans into our sacred realm?"
Aria stepped forward despite her trembling. "Because... Tyson carries a curse. A curse that began with his great-grandfather—Captain Kael Vorrick. We're seeking the truth... and a cure."
King Adam's eyes lit up with a strange mix of recognition and caution. "Kael Vorrick. Now there's a name I haven't heard in decades."
Tyson's voice was desperate now. "You knew him? Do you know anything about the curse? Please... my wife is dying. I'll do anything to save her."
Adam's expression softened slightly. "Kael Vorrick was unlike any pirate I'd known. Brave. Honorable. He once saved Overwild from the Dark Spirits that sought to enslave our kind."
Dr. Elish leaned forward. "Dark Spirits? Who were they?"
Adam replied, voice heavy. "They were shadows with claws. They hunted the wild, devoured forests, left ash in their wake."
Lyra whispered, eyes narrowing. "He's talking about... humans."
Tyson clenched his fists. "If we've gotten what we came for, then let us leave. Give us our weapons. My wife doesn't have much time."
Adam's tone turned cold again. "Your intentions may be pure, but rules exist for a reason. No human is permitted here. Not even descendants of heroes. Guards—"
He stood, voice booming across the hall. "—Imprison them."
The knights surged forward.
"Wait—!" Tyson shouted.
Rook reached for his missing sword, fists clenched.
Lyra stepped in front of Aria protectively.
But there was no stopping it. The gates to Overwild's dungeon creaked open.
And darkness awaited them once more.
To be continued...