Eden Transmigration

The frozen landscape of Glacivarn stretched endlessly, its icy plains shimmering under the pale light of the sun. Havvaris Snowfang, the Duke of Fenrath and leader of the elite Frostfang Knights, stood before Melinoe and Nyxpanther's group, his piercing silver eyes scanning them carefully. Though his face remained composed, a subtle wariness lingered in his posture.

"I appreciate your assistance in dealing with the illegal merchants," Havvaris finally spoke, his deep voice carrying authority. "You and your knights are welcome to stay in my dukedom for the night before we proceed further."

Melinoe nodded, grateful for the hospitality. She could sense the silent tension between Nyxpanther and Havvaris—two powerful beastmen, both alphas, both leaders in their own right. The way they sized each other up was instinctive, yet neither allowed it to escalate into open hostility.

After a brief discussion, the group rode toward Havvaris' stronghold. Towering ice-spired walls surrounded the duke's estate, a structure both imposing and beautiful, carved from the very essence of the frozen land. Inside, warmth greeted them, the large halls lit by flickering lanterns.

As Melinoe settled into her chambers, exhaustion pulled at her limbs, but a restless feeling crept into her heart. Something was about to happen.

_____

The next morning, they set out. Havvaris led the investigation party, guiding them through snow-covered woods rumored to be frequented by the illegal slave merchants. Their breath misted in the cold air, boots crunching against the ice as they followed faint trails left behind by their prey.

Then it happened.

A deafening roar echoed through the trees.

Before anyone could react, the ground trembled beneath them. From the shadows of the icy terrain, dozens of wild demonic beasts emerged, their eyes glowing with unholy crimson light. Massive fangs gleamed under the dim sunlight as monstrous wolves and oversized, grotesque creatures charged toward them.

"Formation!" Nyxpanther barked, drawing his twin daggers, his dark cloak billowing as he melted into the shadows. His knights moved seamlessly, forming a defensive perimeter around Melinoe.

Havvaris, however, had already moved. With a guttural growl, he shed his human form, white fur bursting through his clothes as his transformation overtook him. In the blink of an eye, a massive white wolf now stood where the duke once was—larger than any normal beast, his presence commanding. With a powerful leap, he lunged at the first demonic creature, claws slicing through its thick hide with ease.

Melinoe's heart pounded. The battlefield was a blur of chaos—Nyxpanther's knights fought with precision, steel clashing against monstrous flesh. Havvaris tore through enemy ranks like a storm, his sheer ferocity unmatched. But the demonic beasts kept coming, more than they had anticipated.

A thunderous snarl erupted from deeper within the forest. The ground cracked as an enormous figure emerged—a demonic beast leader, a towering, deformed beast with six eyes and jagged, pulsating scars covering its body. Its presence radiated malice.

Havvaris barely had time to react before the beast lunged at him, striking with devastating force. The white wolf was flung backward, crashing into the thick ice with a painful yelp.

"Havvaris!" Melinoe screamed, but before she could move, another creature separated her from the rest of the group.

"Melinoe!" Nyxpanther's voice cut through the battlefield, but the sheer number of beasts overwhelmed even his nimbleness. In the frenzy, Melinoe was driven deeper into the forest, her vision filled with nothing but white snow and dark shadows.

Only one figure was able to follow her.

Havvaris, shaking off the pain from his earlier blow, leaped to her side. The white wolf growled, snapping his massive fangs at the demonic beasts pursuing them.

"We're cut off," he muttered, shifting back into his human form, his clothes torn, bruises already forming across his muscular body. "Stay close."

Melinoe could barely breathe. She was standing beside a man who had just fought like a beast, whose raw power had been on full display. But there was no time to dwell on it. The demonic creatures were circling them, their monstrous eyes gleaming hungrily.

Havvaris exhaled sharply. "We have no choice. We fight."

Then, without warning, the beasts attacked.

Havvaris moved with the deadly grace of a warrior, his sword flashing through the air as he cut down one beast after another. His strength was terrifying—every swing of his blade cleaved through the enemies as if they were mere obstacles in his path.

Melinoe, though untrained in combat, refused to be useless. She grabbed a dagger from her belt, using it to fend off a creature that lunged at her. The sharp sting of pain grazed her arm, but she gritted her teeth, refusing to fall.

A monstrous howl tore through the battlefield. The demonic beast leader had found them.

Havvaris narrowed his eyes, stepping protectively in front of Melinoe. The beast charged, and with a powerful leap, he met it head-on.

Blades clashed against monstrous claws, the ground trembling beneath them. Every strike Havvaris landed was met with an equally devastating counterattack. He was fast, but the beast was stronger. A single misstep and he would be finished.

Melinoe's heart clenched. She couldn't let this happen.

Drawing in a shaky breath, she focused. The world blurred around her as something ancient, something powerful, surged through her veins. Her body responded instinctively.

Power erupted from her fingertips, a blinding light cutting through the dark battlefield.

The beast flinched, momentarily stunned. Havvaris seized the opportunity. With a final roar, he plunged his blade deep into the creature's throat, piercing straight through its heart. The beast gave one last gurgling snarl before collapsing into the snow, unmoving.

Silence fell.

The battle was over.

Panting heavily, Havvaris turned to Melinoe. "What was that?" he asked, his voice breathless but steady.

Melinoe stared at her trembling hands. "I… I don't know."

Havvaris exhaled sharply. "We need to find the others. But first, we need to talk about what just happened."

As they stood amidst the wreckage of their battle, something undeniable had shifted between them. The duke's silver eyes studied her carefully, a flicker of something unreadable passing through them.

The adventure had only just begun.