Eight days passed by the time they finally arrived near the wolf territory. Scouts informed the wolves retreated further in, most likely planning to use the harsh climate and terrain to their advantage. The troops luckily wore fire runes on their armor, along with efficiency reduction runes to make sure they won't be burnt alive in the armors.
Just when they prepared to make camp before finally heading out to engage the wolves, Kesshō's ears stood up in alarm. Kurai could see her phoenix ears slightly vibrating as she scanned the entire region for what she sensed. Raising her hand to the sky Kesshō formed a bow in it, an ordinary bow, forming an ordinary arrow in the other. A page of paper formed near the tip of the arrow, pinned right behind the arrowhead.
Before he could see or ask what the paper read Kesshō placed the arrow on the bowstring, pulling it as blue-pink lines glowed in her arm. She let it loose with all her strength, the bow springing out of her arm right after from the recoil. The shaft snapped in half and stabbed her in the hand, the reason she released her grip on it. She seemed to be deep in thought, staring at her hand which still seemed to be shaking.
"That's unusual for you." Kurai observed as he crouched down beside her.
"She kicked it back." Kesshō mumbled after a few moments as she raised her head.
Even Kurai noticed the small figure of the arrow flying in the distance, coming their way. It failed to reach them however, diving down into the tree cover in front of them. Kesshō seemed to focus on the arrow, attempting to get an idea of anything that might have been sent with the arrow, but there did not appear to be anything as she turned her attention away from it. She took in deep breaths from her mouth as she glanced at her still shaking right hand, still bleeding as well from the bandages that wrapped around her palm.
"Should have healed by now." Kurai mumbled as he gently grabbed her hand.
He slowly removed the bandage wrapped around her right palm, revealing a cut as if a knife stabbed into her palm, forming a clear hole in her palm, from front to back, having been there for a long time from the looks of it. The cut bled still, slowly, but it didn't seem to have healed from when she received it at all. Kesshō glanced at it, looking away right as she noticed it, the injury being quite gruesome.
"That explains the bandage," Kurai sighed as he unwrapped the bandage entirely. "Just give me a minute, I am not a doctor but I am experienced enough to tell that you have no experience tying bandages."
Removing the bandage he rinsed it with some water, getting a new one from the medical supplies of the army. After applying some medicine on both, along with the sap of a bush just around there, known as 'Frost Bliss', a medicinal herb which has intoxicating effects if consumed. Getting Kesshō to sit down calmly on a tree root nearby, not a hard thing to achieve, he gently tied both the bandages around her palm, tying them up halfway till her elbow, forming a ribbon at the back of her palm and one at the other end near her elbow.
"All good now." He patted her on the head, placing his other hand in one of his coat pockets. He retrieved a chocolate bar from it and handed it to her, a gratefully accepted reward. "Still so skilled with an injured hand, it's terrifying to think what you could have achieved if it wasn't injured. Even then, I admit my fault and apologize for keeping you from your full potential." He smiled at her, though she seemed to be occupied in eating the chocolate and paid no attention to his words. "If only the other two were as stubborn as you. We will meet them soon, just not on the same side, I believe, not yet at the very least."
"Assassin." The general called out as he approached them, the rest of the army setting up temporary camp from the looks of it. "We will rest here tonight and attack soon after daybreak, only few hours of light remain afterall. Waging war on them right now might mean we will have to fight in the dark of the night, which gives them a clear advantage."
"Agreed, the Midnight Wolves will be able to go berserk tonight, it's a full moon afterall," Kurai sighed.
"I also feel that I should inform you of this," The general mumbled. "An informant came back from the kingdoms, we sent one to ask the kings what should be done with the information given to us by that Winter Wolf Elder."
"Let me guess, they are willing to eliminate the Midnight Wolves and spare the Winter Wolves, in exchange they will attempt to have diplomatic relations with the Winter Wolves," Kurai scoffed.
"Yes, that just about sums it up," The general sighed.
"I have no objection, it will happen whether the kings do it or someone else does, there is nothing that can save them now," Kurai sighed.
"A Hero will also accompany us, would you like to meet him?" The general inquired.
"Sure, let's see how weak he is, don't you agree?" Kurai scoffed, turning to Kesshō. Kesshō looked up at him, still eating the chocolate bar, having made little progress. "Take your time," Kurai sighed.
"I will send him here as soon as he arrives." The general informed as he left, giving orders to some of the knights.
"It matters little, the Midnight Wolf alpha and Sapphire, both are far too powerful for any Hero this world can produce," Kurai sighed. "Aren't you excited to finally get the duel you wanted?" He questioned Kesshō, receiving a slight nod, her mouth full and the chocolate gone from her hands. "Did you really just eat all of that at once?" He sighed.
---
"It is a pleasure to meet you, the fabled assassin." The Hero greeted with a bow, his medium length brown hair moving in the wind.
"I doubt I am fabled, and I highly doubt any assassin should be referred as such in the presence of a hero," Kurai shrugged.
"I believe you are more worthy of it, more so when even the former hero advised me to learn from you." The hero sighed as he glanced at Kesshō, inspecting her with his orange eyes.
"I am flattered, but yet disappointed," Kurai mumbled.
"Disappointed?" The hero echoed.
"There is only one advise I have for you–" Kurai stood up from the tree root– "don't pick a fight with any Midnight Wolves that have blue or red eyes, otherwise you will die."
"Do you doubt my abilities?" The hero questioned.
"No, there is no doubt, I am quite certain you will die, no matter how hard you fight. Once you encounter them they will see you as a threat compared to the others, and kill you first," Kurai informed. "Red eyes are not as unique as blue eyes, but they are still fairly rare. You are free to do as you wish on encountering others. Alternatively, you can ignore my advice and fight them, and die, but then don't blame me for it. I have warned you already, and if something such as pride keeps you from following my advice, then I would highly doubt you are a hero."
"I understand," the hero sighed. "Very well then, I will avoid Midnight Wolves entirely, I wish for your safety in this battle." The hero bowed before walking away.
"I feel like he is not going to do that, what do you think?" Kurai sighed as he followed the hero with his eyes.
"Lied," Kesshō mumbled.
"Figured as much," Kurai sighed. "Take care of your hand for now, you won't be able to soon enough. Also, don't even think of sneaking off tonight when I am asleep to train." Kesshō's ears stood up in alarm as she turned to him. "Did you really think you will be able to sleep right on me, then walk away to train for hours, and I won't even realise?"
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
Kesshō slowly nodded, a guilty look on her face. "Sorry," she mumbled.
"You don't have to be sorry just don't push yourself too much. Your body is built to push boundaries already, you don't need to train as much as you do," Kurai shrugged.
Kesshō looked to the ground, not replying.
"Such a stubborn little girl." Kurai grunted as he sat down, wrapping his arms around her. "What if I don't even release you tonight, can't sneak off if you can't move, can you?" He chuckled as he patted her head, embracing her tightly with his other hand.
Kesshō giggled, tucking her legs close and leaning back, stopping right as Kurai stopped. She looked at the sky, the grey cover of clouds drawn over the blue expanse.
"Don't think too hard." Kurai sighed as he placed his head over hers. "You are not good at it, trust me, whenever you make decisions things go terribly wrong. Allow me to guide you, and I can ensure one thing. I won't let anyone harm you again while I live." Kesshō turned to the side, resting her head on his chest, curling up as she attempted to fall asleep. "Rest peacefully, this might just be our last."
---
"The battle has started," the scout informed, leaving on a horse right after.
Kurai and Kesshō sat under a tent, open on all sides, held up by thin poles. There were four chairs placed around a circular table, two of them drawn close together, the ones which the two of them were sitting on. The other two chairs were being used by the general and the hero, both staring at the circular table in deep thought. The only thing on the table happened to be a tray of cookies, Kesshō slowly eating them one by one.
"What are you waiting for?" The hero questioned.
"She has no requirement of going till Sapphire is there." Kurai shrugged, glancing briefly to a bush, the gaps between the leaves being unnaturally dark.
"Can I go now?" Kesshō inquired, swaying her body from side to side.
"Not till the scout returns with what I need to hear," Kurai sighed.
"A large number of our troops died." The scout informed as he came back a moment later.
"How?" The general questioned in alarm.
"Its some sort of shadow magic I believe–" the scout informed.
"Go," Kurai ordered.
Kesshō placed one of her legs on the chair, blue-pink lines glowing in it as she kicked off the chair, breaking it to pieces. She slammed two of her tails in the bush Kurai glanced at earlier as her wings burst forth from her back. Kicking off the ground she launched herself upwards, blue-pink flames engulfing her body. Kurai slowly got up as well, walking towards the battlefield with a sigh.
"Didn't you say you will not fight?" The general questioned.
"I am not going to fight, I simply plan to observe." Kurai answered, disappearing from view in an instant.
"A flashstep skill, should be expected from an assassin," the hero sighed.
Kurai wandered through the edges of the battlefield, observing but not participating. He knew how Kesshō's battle with Sapphire would go, the question remained of how long it would last. All he could do is hope she wouldn't play around for too long, and he wouldn't need to get involved.
Leaving Kesshō to herself for now, he diverted his attention to the strongest one present there, excluding him and Kesshō. Unlike Kesshō and Sapphire who were both too far from him and too small to be visible from such a great distance, more so in the middle of a battle. Being much closer, he could easily see the elder, far from the battlefield, though what he saw happening made him question several things. The elder created a barrage of icicles directed at a Midnight Wolf, both of them in their humanoid form, seemingly locked in battle.
"That looks interesting." Kurai observed as made his way towards the two.
"Do you really think you are capable of defeating me?" The elder questioned, several icicles impaling the Midnight Wolf and pinning her to the ground.
"No, I know very well I can't," the Midnight Wolf groaned. "I still wanted to hit you, even if just once. One of my final wishes have been fulfilled by the marvelous slap I landed on your face." She chuckled lightly.
"Moron." The elder spat as more icicles formed above her.
"Mind holding off for a bit? I will die regardless, I simply wish to have a talk with someone," the Midnight Wolf requested.
"Why should I?" The elder questioned, launching the icicles towards the Midnight Wolf with a snap of her fingers. The icicles shattered before reaching her, the dust being blown to the side by the wind that shattered them, along with the elder. "What?" The elder exclaimed.
"This might be your time to run," the Midnight Wolf chuckled.
"Agreed." Kurai nodded as he sheathed his katana.
"Saving a Midnight Wolf, do you not remember what I told you about them?" The elder questioned, her voice much calmer all of a sudden.
"I think you should be informed that Kesshō can tell when someone is lying, and your lies were so horrible anyone would be able to see through them," Kurai informed.
"And you still let this happen?" The elder questioned.
"You planned on killing all of them regardless, it didn't matter if this battle happened or not," Kurai sighed. "It is in your best interest to leave now, otherwise I won't allow you to even." Kurai warned as he placed his hand on his katana.
"Suit yourself, it will not matter soon." The elder sighed as she walked away.
"I would have expected you to atleast wish her dead." Kurai mumbled as he sat down beside the Midnight Wolf girl.
"It matters not, my daughter will be better off killing her. There are things to gain from doing so, and those things will not benefit me or you," she sighed.
"Your name?" Kurai inquired.
"Eclipse, rank eighth of the twelve Immortals," Eclipse mumbled.
"I thought only six remained," Kurai gasped.
"Yes, only six remain who haven't lost their 'immortality'." Eclipse sighed as she pushed herself up, the icicles disappearing from her body. "Even they will lose it once The Creator dies."
"Why did the other six lose their immortality? I am aware they did long ago, but not of the reason behind it," Kurai inquired.
"Us Immortals are only pawns of The Creator, we are expendable, and he isn't able to maintain the immortality bestowed upon us by the Goddess for long," Eclipse explained. "The most he could maintain is six, he chose the five strongest, and Fi, the one he could not risk losing no matter what."
"So, you were expendable?" Kurai sighed.
"Yes, the final purpose entrusted to me by The Creator was my daughter, and I fulfilled my part in raising her quite some time ago. She will continue to grow by herself now," Eclipse mumbled.
"You don't mind this?" Kurai questioned.
"Not in the slightest." Eclipse shook her head. "The Creator is a being with great wisdom, all his actions are planned, and he leaves no errors in his planning. He promised me that he will ensure my daughter will live, I do wish I could be with her longer though."
"I do believe Sapphire will live, and continue to grow stronger. As much as it pains me too, I have to admit she has grown far stronger by herself than she ever could have under your protection," Kurai sighed.
"Its not necessarily a bad thing." Eclipse coughed. "As a mother, I don't want her to be hurt. I wish to keep her under my protection forever, hidden somewhere safe, far from all the wrong in this world. If only life could have been kinder," she chuckled weakly.
"Do you regret it?" Kurai inquired.
"Maybe," Eclipse answered. "She will be able to survive far better in such a cruel place now, but she will be hurt all the time. This past will haunt her forever, and the future is not guaranteed for her either. As much as I trust The Creator, I am aware he favors the one you are looking after far more than Sapphire. I can't blame him, she has far more promise in every aspect. Kinder, stronger, more skilled. I can see why he favors Fi more than me."
"You wish to meet her?" Kurai inquired.
"No, it is fine, she will know," Eclipse sighed. "Can I request something from you?"
"If it is within my abilities, then certainly." Kurai bowed slightly.
"Look after Fi," Eclipse mumbled.
"I expected you to say Sapphire," Kurai chuckled nervously.
"I know you won't be able to, she will not trust you anymore. But Fi, she trusts you. I know what you plan to do as well, and that would impact Fi more than Sapphire," Eclipse sighed. "I do wish Sapphire could have met him once. You were also trained by him once, right?"
"Yes, I do believe so, though I do not remember what he looks like any longer," Kurai replied.
"That is a pity." Eclipse mumbled as she lied down. "At the very least you remember the training, forgetting that would have been far worse." She laughed.
"Indeed," Kurai sighed. "Do you want me to bring her father here?" He questioned as he stood up.
"No need, he won't be able to continue fighting after knowing about this," Eclipse sighed. "Also, are you here to kill my daughter?" She questioned.
"I was, yes," Kurai mumbled.
"Did she kill that many people?" Eclipse questioned.
"Yes, she has taken many innocent lives," Kurai sighed.
"Is it possible to spare her?" Eclipse requested.
"I am afraid that is beyond me," Kurai replied. "The elder will kill her if I do not, and I am very much aware she will not be making it easy for her."
"Will she be reborn?" Eclipse inquired.
"Most likely, this is her first life, souls usually live hundreds of lives. Rebirth is certain, though I do not think she could be a Midnight Wolf in the next life as none will remain," Kurai sighed.
"I think I will keep my mind off it." Eclipse sighed as she closed her eyes. "I have chosen to place my faith in The Creator's hands, there is little I can do anymore. I only request you to tell her about the the fate of the rest of the Midnight Wolves before killing her. She wont be able to rest peacefully ever if she believes she failed to protect her species."
"I will be sure to tell her that." Kurai nodded as he walked away, leaving Eclipse where she lay. He turned his attention back to the battle, seeing a black colored slash in the distance, slicing a massive boulder in half. "That's where Kesshō is." He mumbled as he headed in that direction. "Your daughter is certainly powerful, you both simply happened to exist at the worst possible time. No being that exists at this time will be safe, there are many great things happening which will certainly affect even the lesser groups."