The party instinctively reached for their weapons as the pack of werewolves surrounded them, growling menacingly. [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]], however, stepped forward with an air of confidence. “I got this,” he said, pulling out a large stick. He wiggled it dramatically before throwing it into the underbrush. “Fetch!” he shouted. The werewolves didn’t move. Their growls deepened, reverberating through the clearing. “[[Karrut Styk|Karrut]],” [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] muttered, stepping forward, “you’re an idiot.” He addressed the werewolves directly. “Look, we got lost along the way. Maybe we can just leave, and nobody gets hurt?” A deeper growl rumbled from behind the pack. The werewolves parted, revealing a monstrous alpha with two heads and a massive frame. The Alpha’s eyes glinted dangerously as he spoke. “Is that a threat?” he asked, his voice like gravel. Behind him, [[Ellette|Ellette]] and [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] noticed a cage holding a figure slumped against the bars. It was Von Richton. The Alpha addressed the party. “You wish to challenge the Alpha for your freedom? Choose your champion.” The party huddled, speaking in hushed tones. “It has to be me,” [[Ellette|Ellette]] said firmly. “Fine,” [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] agreed, “but I’ll try to sneak around and free Von Richton.” The Alpha’s deep laugh interrupted their plans. “I sense animosity between you,” he said, pointing to [[Ellette|Ellette]] and [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]]. “I choose the lizard wizard as your second.” [[Ellette|Ellette]] scowled as [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] approached her side. “Don’t fuck this up,” she hissed. The Alpha roared, “BEGIN!” and hurled two swords at them. [[Ellette|Ellette]] narrowly dodged, but [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] was struck, the blade impaling his leg and knocking him to the ground. [[Ellette|Ellette]] lunged at the Alpha, her moonblade clashing against his enchanted hammer. The force of the blows echoed through the clearing. The Alpha’s swings were wild but powerful, and [[Ellette|Ellette]] ducked under a particularly devastating strike, her blade grazing his skin. The moonblade’s magic burned the Alpha, making him roar in pain. Meanwhile, [[Zara Blackwood|Zara]] whispered to [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]], “This armor is healing me. I feel amazing.” [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]], who was eating a piece of cheese, blinked. “Is it?” he said and slapped her arm experimentally. “Ouch, moron!” [[Zara Blackwood|Zara]] snapped. They both noticed blood from the battlefield flowing toward the armor, closing [[Zara Blackwood|Zara]]’s wounds. [[Qwimby|Qwimby]], seeing this interaction, approached them with concern. “What’s going on?” he asked, watching the blood flow toward [[Zara Blackwood|Zara]]. “I don’t know,” [[Zara Blackwood|Zara]] admitted. “But it’s working.” [[Ellette|Ellette]] and the Alpha exchanged verbal taunts as their weapons clashed. “You think you can win?” the Alpha snarled. “I know I can,” [[Ellette|Ellette]] shot back, slashing across his chest. The Alpha grabbed her moonblade, attempting to break it, but the blade burned his hands, forcing him to release it. [[Ellette|Ellette]] cast ice magic in his face, creating a momentary reprieve. The Alpha, enraged, swung his hammer with all his might. [[Ellette|Ellette]] ducked, but the hammer flew toward [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]], crushing his good leg. [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] screamed in agony, his cries echoing across the clearing. An eerie silence fell as Strahd appeared, walking calmly into the arena. “May I join this bout?” Strahd asked, his tone casual. Strahd approached [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]], who lay writhing in pain. “Help me,” [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] pleaded. Strahd crouched down, handing him a small leaf. “Eat this, you poor creature,” he said. [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] hesitated before consuming the leaf. Warmth spread through his body as his wounds began to heal. Strahd turned his attention to the Alpha, who stood tall despite his injuries. “And you?” Strahd said, his voice like silk. “What can you do?” The Alpha roared and swung at Strahd. In an instant, Strahd impaled the Alpha with his bare hands, tearing a glowing gem from his chest. “Who gave you permission to harm my guests?” he said coldly. The Alpha, gasping, replied, “You’ll rue the day you did this. You needed us.” Strahd sneered and ripped the Alpha in half, tossing the pieces to the ground. The remaining werewolves fled into the woods. Strahd gestured for the party to come closer. “Please,” he said, his tone polite. [[Ellette|Ellette]] and [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] stood firm, weapons raised. [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] moved to check on [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]], who was still recovering. [[Zara Blackwood|Zara]], however, felt an uncontrollable pull toward Strahd. She approached him, her steps hesitant. Strahd gently cupped her face. “Close your eyes, darling,” he said softly. [[Zara Blackwood|Zara]] obeyed, and Strahd struck her, sending her flying backward. He used his magic to strip the armor from her body and donned it himself. “I must thank you,” Strahd said, adjusting the armor. “You have returned this to me.” He walked to the cage holding Von Richton, breaking it open with ease. Grabbing Von Richton by the arm, Strahd smirked. “I look forward to seeing you all at our dinner tomorrow.” With that, he disappeared into the night, taking Von Richton with him. [[Zara Blackwood|Zara]] groaned as the party gathered around her. Without the armor, her skin was pale, her movements sluggish. [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] inspected her, his expression grim. “It’s vampirism,” he said quietly. The party sat in stunned silence, the weight of their losses pressing heavily on them. [[Ellette|Ellette]] finally broke the silence. “We need to rest. Then we’ll figure out our next move.” They set up camp, the events of the day etched into their minds, knowing that the battle was far from over. [[Chapter 84. Castle Ravenloft]]