The sky slowly brightened, dawn pushing away the darkness, its light creeping into the training courtyard, painting everything in shades of orange and pink. The chill of the morning lingered, and each breath hung in the air like a ghost. I tightened my grip on the sword, feeling its weight settle into my hand. I rotated my wrist slowly, getting used to the balance, reminding myself that control came from practice.
The courtyard wasn't empty. Tarin, Neval, and the others were already there, but it wasn't just them. There were more soldiers than usual, gathered around the area, speaking in hushed tones. It wasn't just a few curious onlookers—there were far more people here than a normal morning. They hadn't come to train—they had come to watch. News of the fight must have spread faster than I thought.
Their eyes were on me—some curious, others doubtful. A few whispered among themselves, probably placing bets or sharing uneasy looks.
I couldn't help but wonder how far the rumor had traveled. Did they really think I would fail? Or were they just here to witness something no one else had dared to try?
I took a slow breath, pushing the doubt aside. I couldn't afford distractions now.
Focus.
At the center of the courtyard, the iron cage stood partially covered, shaking as the Wendigo inside thrashed against the bars. Its guttural growls sent a shiver through the air. Next to the cage, Ashren stood firm, his eyes fixed on me, serious and unyielding. He didn't have to say anything—I knew what he was thinking. I just nodded at him.
I scanned the crowd. Tarin was at the front, arms crossed, his face twisted in a scowl. He wasn't trying to hide his contempt, almost as if daring me to fail. A few paces back, I spotted Erenai and Neval, both looking more curious than worried. Ilkar was at the far end, biting his lip, fists clenched tightly. Darek, usually so indifferent, looked focused, his brows furrowed as if the outcome mattered more than he'd ever admit.
And then there was the priestess from the Temple of Enki—the same one who had been at the Tarin fight. Her expression remained cold—just like before. The unwavering gaze hadn't changed, but this time, there was something sharper in her eyes. It wasn't concern or fear—more like she didn't care whether I lived or died, only that her duty was clear.
Instinctively, I searched for Kisaya. When I didn't see her, a wave of relief washed over me. Good. It's better this way. If she were here, someone might notice something off.
She didn't need to see this.
Ashren walked up to me, placing a firm hand on my shoulder. "Are you sure, Ereshgal?"
"Yes" I replied, my voice steady.
He gave a brief nod and stepped back toward the cage. I bent down and picked up the shield I had left on the ground.
The Wendigo's growls grew louder as he unlocked the door. I watched the creature tense, its shoulders bunching up, ready to spring.
The door creaked open, and the Wendigo lunged forward like a projectile, claws scraping the ground as it barreled toward me. I sidestepped just in time, feeling the rush of air as it missed. The creature slid, its claws raking the stone, leaving deep grooves in the ground.
It didn't pause—it immediately whirled around, baring its fangs, saliva dripping from its maw.
I knew it. It started exactly the same way as in the fight with Tarin.
I'd expected this.
I kept my distance, circling it slowly. It charged again, lower this time, aiming for my torso. I raised the shield, bracing for impact. The force of the blow nearly knocked me back, but I dug in my heels, redirecting its momentum to the side. As the creature veered off balance, I struck its left leg with a clean, downward slash. The blade cut through thick muscle, and the Wendigo howled, stumbling.
Instead of retreating, it grew even more frenzied, shaking with a fury that seemed to course through its entire body.
I steadied my grip on the sword, watching its movements carefully.
It's losing control—even more than before. I have to press the advantage.
I moved towards the cage, keeping it in my peripheral vision. It followed, more sluggish now.
I waited, breath caught in my throat, as it prepared to pounce again.
This time, it swiped wildly, its claws smashing into my shield and tearing it from my grip. I stumbled, nearly losing my balance, but pushed forward toward the cage. At the last second, I slipped to the side, and the Wendigo crashed into the iron bars with a deafening clang, momentarily stunned.
This is my chance.
I rushed in, sword raised, ready to deliver the final blow. But just as I closed the distance, the Wendigo lashed out, its claws tearing across my shoulder and chest.
A hot, searing pain shot through me.
I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to stay upright. I couldn't let it break my focus.
I can't hesitate.
With a burst of resolve, I aimed the blade at its neck.
The impact jolted through my arms—the sword didn't slice through.
My heart pounded.
Why didn't it go through? The Wendigo twisted its head with a snarl, jaws snapping onto bleeding shoulder.
I barely registered the pain before it sank its teeth in, tearing through muscle.
I screamed, the sound ripped from my throat before I could stop it.
Pain flooded my senses, blinding and relentless. I couldn't think—I just knew I had to get it off me.
If I didn't act, it would rip me apart.
I grabbed the sword, still lodged in the Wendigo's neck, and kicked the creature with everything I had. The force of the blow ripped the blade free as the Wendigo staggered back.
That's when I saw it—a chunk of my shoulder lodged between its fangs.
It chewed, blood dribbling from its mouth, then swallowed with a sickening crunch. I couldn't believe it—as it licked the blood from its lips, the wounds on its body began to seal, flesh knitting back together. My mind reeled.
Of course. Wendigos heal when they consume human flesh. I knew that. But seeing it happen right in front of me... it was different.
I stood there, stunned, blood dripping down my arm. The monster seemed to relish the taste, its twisted, sick happiness almost palpable as it chewed. My mind was foggy, the pain clouding my thoughts. It was tired, I could tell—but so was I.
My shoulder throbbed, each heartbeat sending a fresh wave of pain through my body.
"ERESH!!"
A scream tore through the noise—desperate, raw. My thoughts blurred, trying to place it.
Was someone calling my name?
No time to think, the Wendigo lunged at me again, jaws wide open, ready to finish what it started.
"ERESHHHHHH!!"
This time, I knew.
Kisaya.
She came. Despite everything, she came.
Something snapped inside me.
I moved.
I thrust my sword forward, aiming straight for its gaping maw.
The blade pierced through the back of its throat, the tip bursting out from the other side. The Wendigo froze, choking on steel. I pushed harder, forcing it back until it collapsed, twitching on the ground.
I fell to my knees, still bleeding.
Silence.
I lifted my head, forcing my gaze toward the fallen Wendigo—motionless, blood pooling beneath it.
Did you see that? Gods, you didn't choose me, but I'm not lesser—I'm better. Your chosen one couldn't do it, but I did.
Then I looked at the crowd.
Suddenly, warmth enveloped me. Kisaya's arms wrapped around me, holding tight—almost too tight.
"Eresh... are you okay?" Her voice trembled, on the verge of breaking.
I blinked, trying to process it.
"Kisaya... you're here? But... we talked about this. You weren't supposed to come."
She didn't let go, just tightened her hold even more.
"I couldn't just stay away."
I let out a pained laugh.
"If you squeeze any harder, you might finish what the Wendigo started."
She pulled back just enough to glare at me, eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
"Idiot. Now's not the time for jokes."
I met her gaze, my smile not fading.
"I did it."
I had done it. I had faced the Wendigo—and I had won.
For the first time in a long while, I didn't feel unworthy. I had faced death and conquered it—not because a god had chosen me, but because I refused to be defined by their silence.
No one could take that from me.
Title: Victory at Dawn