The Outergod's Avatar-Chapter 45: Heretics

After a while, Izikel chose to explore what little he could of the surrounding forest. The camp behind him felt safe, but something about the woods called to him. He remained cautious, never straying too far, keeping the flickering firelight at the edge of his vision as an anchor.

To Izikel, the forest was an endless question—mysterious and ancient, with trees that whispered secrets to the wind. Gleaming crystals embedded in bark and stone glinted like bait, tempting him deeper. The air was heavy with the scent of moss, sap, and something unfamiliar—wild, maybe even dangerous.

Then he heard it.

Footsteps.

They were soft, padded, not like a man’s. More like an animal, but larger, heavier. His first instinct was to run, to bolt back to the safety of camp and warn the others.

’But what if it’s a rabbit or something else?’

He hesitated. Reason tried to calm the instinct flaring in his chest.

’Maybe I should just take a peek... just to be sure’

He moved carefully, slow and silent as he approached the direction of the sound, every crunch of a twig underfoot making his heart skip.

Hiding behind a moss-covered tree, he finally saw it.

A large dog—or no, a wolf? It was difficult to say. It was larger than any dog he had seen. Its coat shimmered in alternating streaks of black and white, almost like marble. Its eyes, however, were what held Izikel in place—bright, cold blue, like winter lightning. And they were staring directly at him.

He froze.

The wolf didn’t growl. Didn’t bare its teeth.

Instead, it took slow steps toward him, until it was only a few feet away. Close enough that Izikel could see the faint steam rising from its breath. The boy had already summoned his gun, mentally prepared to go out in a blaze if he had to. But the wolf... turned away.

It walked past him without a sound, disappearing between the trees like smoke.

Izikel stood there, stunned. The weapon in his hand felt unnecessary now, but his heart still pounded. Part of him whispered to go back. But another part... the curious part... was already moving.

’Should I follow it?’

He didn’t intend to follow for long. Just a few steps, he told himself. But the wolf didn’t seem afraid. It didn’t run. And so Izikel followed, dismissing his gun and weaving through the trees with cautious steps.

Before he knew it, the forest swallowed him whole.

The camp was nowhere in sight. And the wolf—gone. He was lost.

Panic itched at the back of his mind, but he fought it down.

’No need to worry. I’ll just shout until someone hears me...’

But as he opened his mouth, he froze. A cold realization hit him.

What if something else heard him first?

His voice died in his throat.

He clenched his fists, forcing himself to stay calm.

’Sophia will notice I’m gone. They’ll come looking. I just have to wait... and not panic’

But with each step, calm became harder to hold onto. The forest, which had once seemed inviting and curious, now loomed with shadowed threats. Every tree looked the same. Every rustle became a predator in hiding.

Then it happened.

His foot slipped.

With a cry, Izikel tumbled down a ridge. Branches scraped against his arms, the world spun in a blur, and when he finally came to a stop, dirt filled his mouth.

Coughing, he sat up—and froze again.

Below him was a clearing.

A camp.

But not their camp.

Dozens of men milled about, wearing tattered clothing and jewelry made of bones and rough stones. They looked like warriors—scarred, dangerous, some holding whips and crude swords. Cages sat scattered around the camp, filled with people—captives.

They were Heretics.

Izikel’s blood ran cold.

He backed up, heart thudding. Then someone blocked his path.

One of the heretics had stepped onto the ridge trail—his expression one of surprise as he stared down at the boy crouched in fear.

Izikel’s mouth opened but no sound came. Before either of them could react, a blade slid cleanly through the heretic’s chest from behind. Blood sprayed, warm and sharp on Izikel’s face.

The body slumped to the ground.

Behind it stood Raynoel Argenthex.

Izikel scrambled backward.

Raynoel—of all people.

He didn’t consider himself saved, instead he was even more doomed. This was Raynoel Argenthex, a man who could possibly want him dead and now that there were no witnesses. If he wanted he could kill Izikel with ease and nobody would ever know.

’Not if I shoot him first,’

Izikel was just about to summon his gun before Raynoel lifted his finger to his lip, motioning for Izikel to stay quiet, and crouching down beside him.

Izikel stared at him wondering what was coming, was Raynoel going to kill him now? It would have been a good opportunity for the Argenthex to have their way. But it seemed like Raynoel didn’t even care about him.

"Heretics," Raynoel muttered, eyes narrowing as he looked toward the camp below.

He glanced at Izikel, his voice low but urgent. "Lord Izikel, you need to return to camp. Find Sophia. Tell her to ready the men. I’ll gather more intel and meet you soon."

He pointed in a direction, giving no room for debate.

Izikel nodded and ran—no longer trying to be quiet. He moved with everything he had, heart pounding, limbs trembling.

And soon, the camp emerged through the trees.

He burst through the clearing, gasping for air. Sophia spotted him immediately, her eyes wide with concern.

"Lord Izikel, where have you been?"

"Ready your men, Sophia," he panted. "The Heretics are here."

Her expression hardened in an instant. As Izikel caught his breath, he quickly relayed everything he saw. She wasted no time rallying the soldiers.

By the time Raynoel returned, the moon had already begun to fade behind the horizon.

"There are at least a hundred men," he reported. "Not much more than that."

Sophia nodded. "We can handle that with half our force."

Raynoel’s face remained tense. "That’s not all. They have a Horned Beast."

A murmur of shock rippled through the soldiers. Sophia’s expression turned pale, while Izikel looked between them, confused.

"What’s a Horned Beast?" he asked.

Sophia exhaled slowly. "Divine beasts... creatures with cores of immense power. The Heretics sometimes captures them. They’re difficult to kill—dangerous."

Izikel swallowed, suddenly aware of the stakes.

Raynoel continued. " but you shouldn’t worry too much, it’s only one and with a single horn."

"I’m sure if we both work together we can kill it," he added.

Sophia considered. Then her expression steeled.

"Then me and you shall kill it," she said with resolve.

Raynoel gave a sharp nod.

"Let’s go,"