Tension spread through the entire cave, and the raiders in front were terrified of what they had seen. Thankfully, my hearing was still good. With it, I could hear what the men were saying by the door.

“Close the door! That thing is a monster!” One man, along with a few other fellows, ran inside.

Closing the reinforced door of blaze-elven steel, etantil only took a second. The weird shimmer it gave off from its golden coat quickly distinguished it as the strongest metal known to date. However, to my destructive power, it was nothing more than sand in my way.

Loren cocked her head, standing next to me. Seeing her so close made me feel a burning passion to rip her apart slowly. However, any movement made my back ache as the wounds struggled to heal, thanks to the special whip she had used.

At least whatever was happening allowed me to catch my breath. However, breathing hurt a bit.

“Hey! What’s the matter?” Loren asked as a fellow raider came to her covered in blood.

It didn’t appear to be his as he was energetic, unlike me, whose body trembled at every slight moment.

Lucky you...

“There is an intruder! They are slaughtering everyone that crosses their path.” The raider informed Loren, leaving her jaw dropped as her eyes widened.

Everyone else seemed to reinforce the door by the entrance, wanting to keep whatever it was attacking outside. The thick metal door would keep anyone at bay, and perhaps they hoped the attacker would give up.

It's a good plan if it was a regular threat, but it doesn’t sound like that. Just what is… Argh… I don’t need any more complications.

“What do you mean, an intruder? No one came after us! Roy ensured there wasn’t anyone around when we did our job! We covered our tracks like always!” The half-elf defended her gang.

The experience didn’t stop mistakes, though.

I mean, look at me. I’m six thousand years old, and a silly little Luma tricked me. Pathetic…

“Well, Roy’s dead, and it’s not Cerberus or anyone I know. They don’t come in killing as this beast is doing. It’s a fucking silver Lycan, but smaller than the usual ones we see. I don’t—” Her companion paused, shaking his head.

“Nothing we tried stopped it!” He continued to inform her.

Is this bitch the highest-ranking officer or something?

Suddenly, the peredhil wasn’t focused on me as the information being spewed out was helpful if I ever planned to get out of these bounds, but something else caught my attention.

A silver-hair wolf… It can’t be Fenris? No… They said it’s a small one. There is no way their alpha would have a tiny frame.

“Did you try sedatives? Iris?” Loren continued to query.

The raider continued to answer her.

“It moves too fast to land any! I think Lloyd hit it with an Iris shot, but it did nothing!” He snapped, clenching his fists.

Iris? Sedatives? What the fuck are they talking about? Had they used something like that when they knocked me out?

I didn’t know then, but humans used alchemy to make sedatives for different races. This was a science I knew nothing about, and it was too complicated for me to understand, too, but I guess it was their type of magic—one they had developed through time.

“Moonstone traps?” She mumbled, scrunching her eyes.

“Nothing worked, or it didn’t hit, Loren! We aren’t stupid!” The raider huffed, crossing his arms.

I chuckled at his subordination directed to the half-elf, “It seems your whipping isn’t as effective as you think if you're losing your footing at the thought of a mere threat.”

“Why you—” She glared at me.

However, someone walked towards us before she could retaliate—a Luma just like Rem.

“Maybe it’s already under the effects of Iris. These doors should hold.” The new raider informed the group, bringing the calm before the storm.

Wait… Is Iris a type of wolfsbane?

It sounded like it from how they spoke about it if they had that there.

Fuck... getting out will be more than an issue than I first thought. Just who are these people?

In my time, Celestelia had stuff like this going on, but not to the extent of bandits having them. Then again, hatred was present in these hybrids' eyes, especially when they gazed at another purebred.

Loren appeared to melt the moment she saw the luma, though.

A complete circle in posture and personality, this one is a viper.

“Lucan!” Loren grabbed onto his arm, triggering the Luma to smile at her.

Lover? Leader? Why would anyone ever find her touch pleasant?

“That wolf isn’t like any normal one I’ve seen, boss. It’s radiating some weird black crap. I think it was muttering a name, too.” The bloodied raider informed, bowing down to the new arrival.

At least he answered one of my many questions, but it wasn’t the only one that was popping into my mind.

Just what’s outside of those doors that’s freaking them out so much?

They seemed like a capable bunch.

How would a normal Lycan cause that much trouble to an experienced group as themselves?

Although the fact it was radiating black aura was weird indeed.

“Did you make out whose name?” Lucan asked, shifting his eyes towards the door, keeping us safe.

“Uh… Aliga, something, I don’t know, man! I was just running for my life!” He answered, shaking his head.

That was when the beast slammed hard on the metal door, startling even me. Whatever was out there was strong enough to dent the door with one hit.

No normal Lycan can do that. Bone, yes; thick Blaze metal, not so much.

It was why thick chains held us even during full moons. Although to me, if I were in full power, that door would be a breeze.

Can it really be Fenris?!

He was the only one who shared my ability.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

“Aliga? Who the fuck is that?” The male Luma muttered, eyes gaping wide.

As I had said, this was a simple place to defend, but a graveyard if they found the wrong enemy.

Whoever Aliga is… seems to be fucked.

“Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! It’s going to come in!” The startled raider cursed loudly; his hands were trembling.

The being outside slammed again into the door, creating another dent.

Crap…

“Impossible! We made those doors of etantil ore. They’re thicker than a fucking airship!” Lucan pointed out.

“Fuck! I think they sold you a defective product, boss!” the raider quaked where he stood.

Whatever he saw had seriously scared him, and I was defenseless to stop it from tearing into me if it wanted to. Noticing how the door was beginning to cave in, I used my strength to try and break free.

The raiders ignored me, worried more about what was before them. It was futile, though. The stones were draining my strength, and the blows to my back had made me fragile.

“Shit! Get ready!” Loren announced, running to her toolbox of horrors to find a better weapon than a whip.

The door fell apart a second later, leaving people to shriek in horror as the beast made its way inside. Before I knew what was happening, more screaming and screeching erupted from the front as they fell to the monster.

I was stuck in the back, witnessing the carnage unfold. Loren froze in place upon hearing their cries as I couldn’t rip my eyes from the slaughter that was happening in front of us. It didn’t matter if one was a prisoner or a raider; that wolf tore through them in the blink of an eye.

Weird, colorful orbs appeared around the environment as they concentrated around me.

Over here! Over here! We’ve found you! The orbs whispered, all in unfamiliar tones.

What the fuck are they, and why have they found me?

Lucan took a sword out of its sheath in preparation as the wolf that slaughtered everyone in sight made its way to where we were at incredible speeds. It left no one alive in its path; innocent or guilty, they were all torn through.

The only ones who were stuck in cages were the ones who remained safe if they kept quiet. The closer it got to me, the more it spilled blood as its howl wasn’t one of this world either.

Whatever is making its way to us isn’t a normal Lycan. Fuck, it isn’t a blood moon either!

They had called it silver blood, but it was covered in blood from head to toe, turning its fur crimson. Its body radiated a darkness that I couldn’t identify, and its eyes were two different colors—bright crimson and neon blue.

There was a weak purple aura emanating from its body. The raider was right when they said it wasn’t the size of a normal Lycan. No, it was much smaller yet deadlier than anything I had ever seen.

Just my luck. I came into this world to get bound to someone I barely knew. This person forced their way into my life, then died in some desert, and I got kidnapped and then whipped. Now, I’m about to be eaten alive by a crazed wolf demon.

My life was crap, no matter what way I saw it. I guess it was better to die than become a slave to someone’s pleasure again.

“Ali... jah... Whe…re… are…” The wolf muttered irreconcilably, yet set my heart to beat faster than it had in years.

Did you just say my name?

The moment the bloody Lycan came close to us, Lucan engaged it. He lasted less than a second as his head was removed from his body in a blink of an eye. The Lycan had pounced on him faster than he swung his blade.

The dead luma’s blood splattered all over the floor, triggering Loren to shriek before running behind me.

Do you want to use me as a shield? Such a stupid bitch, it’s futile that wolf…

Her other comrade was brutally mauled in front of us when he tried to make a run for it. The wolf ripped their limbs from their bodies. Their bones cracked with each bite, prompting the sounds to echo loudly throughout the cave.

Blood dripped from its jaw as it slowly turned towards me before cocking its head at me.

“Ali... jah,” it mumbled again, stepping towards me.

Its paws dug into the gravel below us as it came closer, and my heart froze.

Why… are you… familiar?

Unable to help it, I leaned back from it, feeling vulnerable to its approach, but I was stuck in place. My survival instinct told me to run away, and my entire body shivered, unable to help it.

This wolf… isn’t like anything I have ever seen, but why don’t I sense… any hostility?

The bloody beast appeared to be focused on me, slowly making its way.

Why are you looking at me with tender eyes?

“Woah... There... Stop right where you are. Let’s not do something we’ll regret.” I sputtered as the wolf tilted its head.

Fresh blood still dripped from its body as it left a trail of death in its tracks. The colorful spheres concentrated around us even more as the beast got close. I had never seen fairies, but they were close to what my mother once described.

We found you! Voices continued to erupt around us.

Just what the fuck is going on? Why is my heart beating in excitement, too? You… Who are you?

When the wolf was close enough to me, Loren made her move.

“If it’s the Lycan you want, you can have him!” The blond bitch yelled, pressing a button that caused the chains to fall out of the pillars next to me, making a loud noise as they slammed into the ground.

The suddenness made the wolf growl loudly before it launched towards us. Unable to help it, I flinched as its teeth never found me. It had swiftly jumped over me and towards the Peredhil. Her screeches filled the air as the survivors in cages watched on, trembling without making a singular sound.

The wolf tore into Loren, worse than it did for the rest, and unlike the others, who it killed swiftly, it dug its nails into her, ripping her abdomen open before spilling her contents onto the floor. It then mauled her face, leaving her alive as it walked away.

I could hear gurgles from the half-elf, who was still breathing but unable to move.

Fuck… What are you going to do to me?

The entire thing had left me frozen on my knees. I thought of running as fast as I could for a moment, but that would’ve been useless. The chains would drag on the floor, calling the wolf straight to me.

My fate seems to be sealed. What a crappy life I’ve had. Perhaps my death will bring me more peace.

Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes, slightly turning away.

There’s no way out of this one, Alijah. It’s after you for some reason, so just brace for the pain. It’ll pass soon. Ah… at least I’ll join you soon, Rem. Will I kill you for doing this in our afterlife or… what will I…

Holding my eyes shut, I prepared myself to feel a pain like no other. After that, I would feel the sweet embrace of death consume me. Instead of agony, my eyes flew open as someone grabbed me from behind.

It was no fangs or claws, but arms wrapped around me ever so tenderly. Their skin on mine was so warm—something I didn’t expect, leaving me speechless. Instinctively, I knew the body was one of a woman as the roundness of her bosom pressed against my back.

Her slender hands grasped my chest as she embraced me tightly.

What... is happening?

“Ali... jah,” A too-familiar voice mumbled from behind me.

Hearing her broke me into pieces.

How... why...

A sense of relief washed over me, even though I didn’t know how she found me.

“Rem?!” I called out, grasping her arms before turning towards her.

There, I saw those same vibrant eyes from before gazing at me as a grin soon appeared on her lips. Her transformation had ripped her clothes apart, leaving her bare. Her clothes weren’t enchanted to survive the shift between states.

It was common for lumas who couldn’t transform to forgo wearing any magical clothes. Even though I felt like the world was lifted from my shoulders, something about the little luma in front of me wasn’t right, and it didn’t involve her lack of clothes.

The darkness that radiated from her was overwhelming, pooling under her before it faded. The sinister aura emanating from her core overran even my senses.

What the fuck?

Grabbing her face, I gently wiped some of the blood on her cheeks with my thumbs. I could tell she wasn’t entirely there. Her smile wasn’t radiant like the ones she had before; it was cold and meaningless.

The moment one prisoner within the cages made a noise, her demeanor changed as the murderous intent I felt coming from her toward them was surreal.

Just what are you, Rem?

A sharp growl snapped me from my train of thought as she was about to shift again. Instinctively, I hugged her to prevent her from doing so. I didn’t know if she would go on a rampage, even forgetting me in her path of carnage.

The instant I moved to embrace the little Luma, she turned her attention back towards me as that same aura slowly dissipated. A soft hum left her lips as she snuggled onto my chest, triggering me to hold onto her head, securing it in place.

“Rem… It’s okay. I’m okay.” I whispered, unsure of how to feel.

I didn’t know if I should treat her gently or let her rampage. Though what I knew…

You came for me! Hah, you really are… something, aren’t you?

Questions bombarded my mind—matters only she could answer, although I had suspicions about who she was. Even drenched in blood, her hair still had silver strands and brown horizontal stripes. It didn’t appear to be dyed as it wasn’t fragile, and it wasn’t like it would’ve changed her fur in her wolf form—just the head.

You… hid because you knew how much I hate silver blood Lycans. Yet I…

Her hair was massively matted, thanks to the wig she used.

When was the last time you took care of it? Stupid luma…

Slowly, the darkness that threatened to consume Rem quelled as I noticed a cute tail forming from her bum.

Did you even hide that while you slept? How uncomfortable must you have been?

You have a crimson eye and a Luma, meaning you’re Fenris's offspring. Are you Lilith’s kid, too?

This luma could come from one of the alpha’s whores, too. If he had any, which I doubted. When I saw Lilith twenty years ago, she was heavily pregnant, and this girl appeared to be in her late teens or early twenties.

Is the girl in my arms your daughter, Lilith? Shit... Rem...

Even though she was a silver-blood wolf, I couldn’t bring myself to hate her, not after coming after me like this.

Why are you trying to crawl into this bitter heart of mine? Please stop trying to make it beat. I don’t know if I can survive losing this warmth again. No… I never had… this before.

Not even the Lilith from my era made me feel like this. However, there was more to this than I realized. This Luma was…

Just what are you, Rem?