The night glowed beneath countless flames born from Eamon's magic. The burning trees painted the forest in shades of orange and crimson, while thick smoke drifted lazily into the dark sky. The air smelled of ash, burnt wood, and blood. It should have been silent after such a long battle, but instead, one sound dominated the forest.
Haizer's screams.
His cries echoed from tree to tree, filled with unbearable pain and pure rage. He staggered backward, clutching the bleeding stump where his right arm had once been. Blood poured endlessly onto the ground beneath him, staining the grass red.
Not far away, Eamon, Damien, and Roneth ignored him completely.
The three hurried toward Skarn.
The brave direwolf lay motionless on the ground. His silver fur had turned crimson from blood. Deep bruises covered his body where Haizer had repeatedly punched him, and several cuts from the Seraphim's sword lined his sides. His breathing was shallow and uneven.
A faint whimper escaped his mouth. Eamon immediately knelt beside him. His expression softened. Without saying a word, he gently lifted the injured pup onto his lap.
"Hey, buddy..."
His voice trembled slightly.
"You did well."
Skarn's ears twitched weakly. He tried opening his eyes, but they barely responded. His body was shaking from pain. Even breathing seemed difficult.
Eamon carefully stroked his head.
"I'm here."
Skarn whimpered again. The wolf could hardly hear anything anymore. The pain had overwhelmed his senses. Even Eamon's comforting voice sounded distant.
Damien crouched beside them. His eyes filled with guilt. "He protected all of them..."
Roneth nodded quietly saying, "He saved Korran's family."
For several seconds, nobody spoke. They simply looked at the wounded direwolf.
Eamon gently scratched behind Skarn's ears, just as he always did.
"You stubborn fool."
A faint wag of the tail.
Barely noticeable. Yet it made Eamon smile. Skarn let out another weak whine. Eamon carefully wrapped one arm around him.
"You've done enough now."
Damien looked toward the battlefield.
Haizer was nowhere near them anymore.
He frowned.
"Where did he go?"
Roneth immediately looked around.
The Seraphim had disappeared.
...
Meanwhile...
Haizer limped through the burning forest, holding his bleeding arm tightly against his body. Every step hurt. His breathing had become heavy. Sweat dripped from his forehead despite the cold night air.
His entire body trembled.
Inside his mind, he desperately tried convincing himself.
"This isn't defeat. This is strategy. This is only a tactical retreat.
I'll return stronger. I'll kill them later."
Yet another voice inside him answered.
"No. You're running. Running from children. Children half your age."
His jaw tightened. His pride screamed at him to turn back. To fight. To prove himself.
But another emotion had become stronger. Fear. Real fear.
For the first time in years... Haizer feared dying.
He clenched his remaining fist.
"I can't die here."
His breathing became faster.
"I absolutely cannot die."
His footsteps continued.
"I still have a purpose."
His left hand instinctively covered the small pocket inside his clothes. The pearl. It was still there. Safe.
His eyes softened for just a moment.
"I need to bring back our Lord."
His voice became almost desperate.
"I have to survive."
"I have to take this pearl with me."
"I must live."
He continued limping deeper through the forest. Eventually, the burning trees became fewer. The smoke disappeared. Soon the sounds of battle faded completely.
At last, Haizer reached the edge of the river.
The scenery changed completely. The Red River flowed peacefully beneath the moonlight. Silver ripples shimmered across its surface. Tiny fireflies floated lazily above the water, their soft lights dancing with the reflections of the moon. The cool breeze from the river soothed Haizer's burning wounds.
For the first time since the battle began...Everything felt quiet.
He slowly walked alongside the riverbank. His left hand remained tightly over the hidden pearl. His thoughts began clearing.
If he continued west... He could leave the town unnoticed. Beyond the western border lay another village. Kilitika.
A small settlement. Perfect for hiding. He could recover there. Then continue his mission. The more he thought about it, the more confident he became.
"They're too injured." A small smile appeared. "They won't chase me."
"They're exhausted."
"They'll stay behind."
He took another step.
Then another. Everything seemed perfect.
Until…A figure suddenly landed directly before him. Boom!
Dust exploded upward. Haizer stopped instantly. His eyes widened.
Standing before him was none other than Damien. The young vampire stared at him silently while holding another blood-forged sword.
Haizer instinctively stepped backward. "What...?"
Before he could think further, he sensed another presence.
He quickly turned around. Behind him stood two more figures.
Eamon. And Roneth.
The Seraphim froze. They had surrounded him.
Eamon looked different now. His shirt was gone. Eamon had wrapped it around Skarn's body to cover the wolf's wounds before leaving. Despite everything...The boy had still chosen to care for his companion first.
His upper body was covered in fresh bandages and dried blood. His wounds were still visible everywhere.
Haizer's eyes narrowed. Haizer clicked his tongue.
"You stubborn brats."
None of them answered. They simply stood there. Blocking every escape route.
Far away from the riverbank, Korran, Orzen, Felis, and the heavily wounded Skarn were already making their way toward the town. Skarn was being supported carefully while Orzen carried part of his weight. Alongside them walked one of Gorochi's surviving soldiers.
The man had witnessed everything. Eamon had spared his life.
Before leaving, Eamon had looked him straight in the eyes.
"Go."
The soldier had looked confused.
"Why?"
"Tell everyone the truth."
The soldier had hesitated.
Eamon continued calmly.
"Tell them who really stole the pearl."
The soldier slowly nodded.
"And tell them about Gorochi."
Again he nodded.
"I will."
Now the soldier ran beside Korran's family toward the town. His duty had changed. He was no longer protecting Gorochi. He was finally going to protect the truth.
...
Back at the riverbank, the atmosphere became heavy.
No one moved. The cool river breeze gently blew across the four warriors.
Haizer slowly reached for his sword. Since his right arm was gone, he awkwardly gripped the weapon with his left hand. The movement looked unfamiliar. Uncomfortable. Yet his eyes still carried killing intent.
Eamon cracked his knuckles. Damien tightened his grip on his blood sword. Roneth silently drew both katanas.
One final battle. That was what everyone expected.
Then...Without warning...A strange glow appeared above them.
All four looked upward simultaneously. "What..."
A gigantic glowing structure rapidly formed in the sky. Thin shining threads crossed one another. Within seconds...It became a cage.
Before anyone could react, the enormous magical prison dropped.
Boom!
The glowing walls struck the ground around them. The impact shook the riverbank violently. The earth trembled beneath their feet. The magical threads sparkled brightly beneath the moonlight.
All four men were trapped inside.
Eamon immediately looked around. "What is going on?"
He stepped toward one wall.
"What is this cage?" Damien examined the glowing threads. His expression turned serious.
"Where did this come from?" Roneth slowly walked toward one side.
His eyes narrowed. "I've seen this before." He touched one of the glowing threads carefully. The barrier pushed him backward slightly. "It looks exactly like the cage Gorochi created earlier."
Haizer's face suddenly darkened. "No..."
He looked carefully around the prison. "It doesn't just look like Gorochi's cage."
His voice became low. "It is Gorochi's cage."
His expression filled with confusion.
"But how?"
Just then, leaves rustled behind the bushes. Footsteps approached slowly. Then laughter echoed through the quiet riverside.
A familiar laugh. Cruel. Greedy. Mad. "Hahaha..."
Everyone turned. From between the bushes emerged Gorochi. He looked terrible. Blood covered his clothes. One hand clutched his wounded stomach where Haizer had attacked him earlier.
Several soldiers supported him from both sides as he limped forward.
Despite his injuries, he was smiling.
Behind him stood a handful of surviving soldiers, all carrying weapons and surrounding the magical cage from outside.
Gorochi laughed loudly again.
"What did you fools think?"
His eyes swept across everyone trapped inside.
"That I was dead?"
"Huh?"
He slowly limped closer until he stood directly before the glowing prison.
Now only the magical barrier separated him from the people inside.
His eyes locked onto Haizer first. The smile disappeared. Only hatred remained. The two men stared at one another through the shining threads. Former allies. Now enemies.
Gorochi's face twisted with rage. "You bastard."
His voice shook with anger.
"How dare you betray me?"
Haizer said nothing. His grip on the sword tightened.
Gorochi laughed bitterly. "I was a fool."
"A complete fool."
"I trusted you."
He pointed a trembling finger directly at Haizer. "But not anymore."
His eyes burned with vengeance. "Now I will kill you."
Then his gaze slowly shifted toward Eamon.
A cruel smile returned to his face.
"And after that..."
He pointed toward Eamon, Damien, and Roneth. "I'll kill these pests along with you."