Between Two Souls, Chapter 12
The sound of galloping horses echoed as the sun began to set. The silence of the forest could not mute the urgency of the group as they made their way through the woods and past a few villages. Among these were villages of Arestiana's elven people, who looked on in shock at the sight of Vino riding with the group. Shortly afterward, they stopped not far from the Werewolves' den.
The place they had arrived at turned out to be a small village near the cliffs, now burned to the ground. Adrien surveyed the area, grimacing at the sight of countless corpses strewn about. A wave of nausea overtook him as he questioned the knights.
"My god, they must have been the Werewolves' first victims. Have any other villages been attacked?" Adrien asked while examining the surroundings.
"Oddly enough, no, Prince," one of the knights replied. "We initially thought they’d attack other villages, but instead, they went straight for the palace. We burned this village down because so many had died, and we suspected it was a contagious plague. Burning it also served as a warning to others."
Adrien recalled John's earlier statement: "They only target nobility. That’s their priority, but they won’t hesitate to kill anyone nearby…."
After a moment of reflection, Adrien refocused on the task at hand.
"Alright, everyone, start unloading the barrels of explosives. Be cautious; they might still be around," Adrien instructed firmly.
The knights quickly began distributing the crossbows Eric had brought while unloading the barrels of explosives. They carried them toward the seaside cliffs, carefully lowering them down the slope with pulleys. Meanwhile, a few knights advanced ahead to scout the Werewolves' den. Adrien’s assumption was correct: after sunset, the den was empty. They wasted no time organizing and setting up the explosives.
As the team moved about, Vino carefully unraveled the detonation fuse. However, a minor argument broke out between the siblings, Erika and Eric.
"Eric! What did I say about money? I can pay for these explosives later. It’s a good thing Adrien didn’t take offense," Erika said angrily, still irritated by her brother’s half-hearted support.
"You’re always like this. These explosives aren’t free—they’re imported goods! And besides, Adrien didn’t mind paying me," Eric shot back.
"You’re the one who’s always like this! Have you forgotten how important it is to build connections without strings attached? Especially with powerful allies who share our goals!" Erika countered.
"And have you forgotten that doing business with powerful people is more profitable and ethical? You’ve said that yourself. Or are you only acting this way because it’s the Prince and your little organization?" Eric retorted, walking off with another barrel of explosives.
"Hey! That man and his ‘little organization’ helped us rise out of difficult times! They’re the ones who brought us up to become nobility!" Erika snapped, glaring at Eric.
Eric shrugged, his tone sharp. "Too bad. Nowadays, if you want to help people, there has to be a price—especially for something big. You know this will drag the family into it. Your idealism will come back to haunt you someday, and cursed be I if that happens to you."
Erika’s eyes narrowed. "The era of pragmatism has passed. I once endured the curse of working for despicable people. Now it’s my time—our time—to stand tall with ideas that align with us. Cursed be I if you can’t stand on your own two feet."
Hearing their escalating argument, Adrien stepped in, raising his voice just enough to command their attention. "Hey, you two, enough already. Calm down! I don’t mind paying for the explosives, so drop it! What if your bickering ends up bringing the Werewolves back? Do you want to deal with that?"
Both Erika and Eric fell silent, though frustration still lingered in their expressions. Without another word, they picked up the barrels and followed the rest of the group.
Watching the scene unfold, Vino chuckled softly and nudged Adrien. "Sibling squabbles—they’re bound to happen. One day, they’ll miss this when they’re apart, won’t they?"
Adrien smiled faintly. "Maybe. But I wouldn’t know—I don’t have any siblings."
Vino laughed. "Hahaha, well, lucky you then. Come on, let’s focus on these Werewolves."
Adrien hesitated for a moment, a fleeting thought crossing his mind. For a second, he felt as though he did have a sibling, though the memory was hazy and distant. Shaking it off, he refocused on the task at hand.
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The group began descending the cliffside, carefully carrying barrels of explosives toward a cave mouth nestled in the cliff wall. Their plan was to seal the cave by collapsing the entrance entirely. The knights positioned themselves—some keeping watch on the cave entrance, while others placed explosives along the walls and ceiling.
"Prince Adrien, where are you going?" one of the knights asked as Adrien moved toward the cave.
"I need to check inside. I want to confirm this really is their den."
"We’ll come with you!" the knight insisted.
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Adrien, accompanied by three knights, ventured deeper into the den to verify the intel provided by The Ancestor Order. They moved cautiously, step by step, without torches, relying solely on their eyes to pierce the darkness. The foul stench of decay grew stronger as they advanced.
Adrien’s sharp gaze caught something in the shadows ahead. Slowly but surely, a sinister shape began to emerge in the gloom...
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
Adrien's eyes widened in shock as he stepped into the cavern's heart. It was vast, with high ceilings and steep depths, its walls glistening with grotesque red flesh that seemed to pulse faintly. Human bodies were embedded in the fleshy walls, while skeletal remains and rotting carcasses littered the ground.
He took a cautious step back, realizing he'd seen enough to confirm this was indeed the Werewolves’ den. But before he could retreat further...
SKRaaaaaat…
A wet, unsettling noise came from behind. Adrien and the knights froze, their hands instinctively moving to their weapons. Slowly, they turned to face the source of the sound.
The fleshy wall began to bulge and ripple as thick blood oozed out. A figure emerged, peeling away from the grotesque surface. It was a man, his body coated in sticky, raw flesh. Was this the origin of the Werewolves? Adrien squinted, examining the man’s features. He was tall and muscular, with ruddy brown hair and tanned skin.
“A Zelestrian?” Adrien thought, recognizing the distinctive features of the people from the far-off land.
The man turned toward them, his mouth trembling as though he were in unbearable pain. His voice rasped weakly.
“Help... me... Ssss...”
But before he could finish, the man’s body stiffened. His eyes shot open, and his face tilted upward as he let out a guttural, animalistic cry, his mouth stretching unnaturally wide.
SRAAKKK!!!
One of the knights reacted instantly, slashing the man’s throat. The figure collapsed to the ground, lifeless. But their actions had triggered something far worse. The den’s inhabitants—the young Werewolves, half-formed beasts, and monstrous hybrids still tethered to the walls—were now aware of their intruders.
The cavern began to echo with howls and growls as the monsters stirred. Adrien’s heart sank.
“Damn it! RUN!” he bellowed.
The group bolted for the exit, their footsteps pounding against the ground as the cacophony of pursuing beasts grew louder. They scaled the fleshy walls, but even those writhed with unformed creatures emerging to join the chase.
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Meanwhile, outside the cave, Erika, Eric, Vino, and the rest had just finished setting up the explosives. Vino sat on the edge of the cliff, her legs swinging as she savored the cool sea breeze and the serene view of the ocean below.
“Naa nan naa…” she hummed softly, her pointed ears perking up suddenly.
Her sharp hearing caught the distant rumble of footsteps—a monstrous stampede.
Vino jumped to her feet, her expression alarmed. “Wait… is that…?”
The unmistakable growls and howls of a horde were closing in fast. Vino sprinted toward the others, shouting at the top of her lungs.
“ERIKA! ADRIEN’S IN TROUBLE! The Werewolves are chasing them!”
The rumble of the monstrous horde grew louder, affirming Vino’s warning to everyone.
The group immediately rushed back to the cliff’s edge. The rope ladder they had used earlier was unrolled once more, and everyone braced themselves, ready to pull their comrades up at a moment’s notice.
Vino’s ears twitched again, picking up a distant sound.
“LIGHT THE FUSE!” Adrien’s voice bellowed from the depths of the cave. He was running at full speed.
“Huh?” Vino blinked, disbelief flashing across her face.
“What? What did he say?” Erika asked, her tone laced with worry.
Vino sprang into action. “He said to light the fuse!”
Grabbing a nearby torch from the supply cart, Vino dashed to the end of the fuse. Without hesitation, she set it ablaze. The fuse ignited, the flame traveling surprisingly quickly despite its length.
The rest of the group stood ready at the cliff’s edge, gripping the ladder ropes tightly. The thundering footsteps and growls of the Werewolves echoed louder and louder, signaling the imminent arrival of Adrien and the knights.
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Inside the cave, Adrien and the three knights sprinted with everything they had, weaving through the narrow passageways. They dodged left and right, clashing with monsters that managed to close in.
Out of nowhere, the fleshy walls pulsed, spawning more creatures into their path.
“HYAAAHHH!”
SRAAKKK!
Adrien swung his sword with precision, slashing down from his left shoulder. The blade carved through the monster’s shoulder, cutting deep into its upper chest. The beast fell to its knees, and Adrien swiftly pulled his sword free.
With every step, they pushed harder, the glow of torches marking the cave’s exit coming into view.
“THE LADDER!” Adrien shouted to the others, relief tinged with urgency.
But his relief was short-lived. His eyes caught a flickering light racing along the walls of the cave—the fuse. The flame was dangerously close to the explosives.
“RUN FASTER!”
Their pace quickened, desperation fueling their strides. Behind them, the thunderous roar of the pursuing horde grew deafening. The sheer number of monsters was overwhelming, and some were now within striking distance, clawing and snapping at their heels.
One of the knights spun around mid-sprint, slashing at the nearest beast with a well-timed strike before continuing his escape.
The exit was now mere meters away. The fuse raced toward its explosive end.
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Vino watched from above, her heart pounding as she saw the glow of the cave’s opening.
“They’re coming!” she shouted to Erika and Eric, who tightened their grip on the ladder ropes.
Adrien and the knights emerged from the cave’s mouth at full speed, the monsters right on their heels.
BOOOOOMMMM!!!
The barrels exploded, obliterating the cave’s walls and ceiling in a thunderous roar. The blast collapsed the only exit, sealing off the monstrous horde inside. Adrien and the knights leaped just in time, grasping the rope ladder and swinging through the chaos to evade the pursuing creatures.
“HAHA… AHHAAHAH! Feuhh, that was too close! Pull us up!” Adrien shouted.
The group on the cliff heaved with all their strength, pulling Adrien and the others to safety.
“Are you alright, Prince?” one of the knights asked.
“Yes, I’m fine,” Adrien replied, catching his breath.
Vino rushed over to Adrien. “Are you okay? What happened down there? It sounded like chaos.”
Adrien, lying exhausted on the ground, explained, “The monsters… Those Werewolves are created from humans. They’re fused with grotesque, fleshy matter, turning them into beasts. At least, that’s what I could gather.”
“The humans being turned were Zelestrian,” added one of the knights. “I can’t fathom how they ended up in that cave.”
Erika frowned. “So now, all that’s left is hunting down the ones still roaming outside?”
Adrien nodded uncertainly. “Yes, it seems so. Let’s head back to the castle.”
They began walking toward their horses, but Vino suddenly froze, her ears twitching.
“Adrien, wait. I hear something…” She grabbed his arm, her tone urgent.
Adrien’s face darkened as realization dawned on him. “Everyone, back to your horses! Quickly!”
Without hesitation, they bolted for their mounts. Adrien’s fears were confirmed when distant howls echoed through the air. The furious Werewolves, alerted by the explosion, were on their trail.
Vino swiftly reached into her satchel, pulling out a small device she had crafted earlier in the laboratory. She hurled the ball behind her, and it burst into a dense cloud of smoke, obscuring the Werewolves’ vision.
“EVERYONE, RIDE!” Vino yelled.
The group spurred their horses into a gallop. The sound of hooves thundered through the forest as they raced away, the disoriented Werewolves snarling and growling amidst the smoke.
“Vino, you’re a genius!” Adrien praised, glancing back briefly.
But the respite was short-lived. Emerging from the dissipating smoke, the beasts resumed their relentless pursuit. One particularly large Werewolf bounded forward, leaping from the charred remains of buildings to close the gap.
“SHOOT!” Adrien commanded.
Crossbows fired, bolts streaking through the air and striking the creatures. Some staggered back with pained howls, but it wasn’t enough to halt their advance.
The Werewolves surged faster, their agility unmatched. They vaulted from trees to rocks, then onto the smoldering ruins of the village.
Adrien’s eyes widened as he saw a massive clawed paw swinging toward him, poised to strike—
To Be Continued…