I closed my eyes, making a conscious effort to quiet my troubled mind. Maintaining control over my emotions was essential; because I understood, I needed steady hands for the impending battle. I picked up the sword that Marcus had crafted, examining it closely. The weapon was well-balanced, its hilt adorned with the Bortoli emblem – a star over a mountain. It held significant meaning for me, as it symbolized the closure of Arland's legacy with each wolf I would strike down in the upcoming battle.

"I am ready," Phillip said, as he placed his last arrow inside his quiver.

Marcus, on the other hand, presented a different weapon – an axe of such weight that not even a man as strong as Phillip or me could easily wield, but more suitable for a giant.

"I am also ready," Marcus said, gripping the heavy axe.

Observing his difficulty wielding the massive axe, I reached for one of the swords and handed it to him. "I believe you shouldn't take any chances with that axe. You miss to land a hit, and you'll be dead before you can lift it again."

"That weapon looks heavier than you." Phillip said.

Marcus nodded, placing the axe against the wall, then taking the sword and swinging it around. "This is much lighter and much easier to handle."

He hurried back to the anvil room and returned with a tall tower shield. "What do you guys think of this?"

"A Pavese shield, just like your axe, heavy and difficult to move around," Phillip said.

Marcus proceeded to insert the sword's blade into the open squared hole in the center of the shield. "It offers both protection and an offensive edge. Can't ask for anything better."

With Marcus and Phillip equipped and prepared, Audrey was the only one left inside the smithy. I knelt before her, gently taking hold of both her hands.

"It is safer for you to remain inside. In here, you will be safe from danger."

Suddenly, a whimper is heard at the door, followed by the sound of an animal scratching at it. I nodded at Phillip as he knocked one of his arrows. I waited for his signal, ready to act when he was prepared.

"Go for it."

As I opened the door, a black wolf limped his way into the smithy, crawling on the floor, clearly badly wounded. Audrey rose from her chair, immediately running towards Caleb.

"Brother!"

Caleb began to revert his wolf form, revealing mortal wounds on his neck and torso. She carefully seated him in a chair, his fresh wounds slowly started to heal. Caleb gasped for air, managing a weak smile on his face as he reached out to grasp his sister's hand, despite the pain he was in.

"Audrey—you must do what's necessary. I need you to take that sword and pierce my heart."

"No!" Tears streamed down Audrey's face at her brother's painful request.

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"I am now a bearer of the Demon wolf's curse. It burns inside of me..." The sound of breaking bones and tearing skin echoes in the room, giving the scene a gruesome view. "I can feel him approaching, looking for me. Once I change, I will never be your brother again."

"I can't do this; you know I can't."

Caleb fixed his gaze on me, his eyes already reflecting the beginning of his transformation. "I can feel him, Randal, your brother is lost inside that beast. His mind is only filled with rage and bloodlust. I fear he won't stop until he has killed everyone on his path. You must drive that blade through me, you don't have a lot of time left."

I took my sword and cautiously placed the tip against his chest. Instantly, his skin began to burn upon contact with the silver tip. Caleb began to scream in agonizing pain, causing me to withdraw the sword. But when I looked at him, I could see that he was relieved by what he had just witnessed.

"Do it, Randall!"

Overwhelmed with distress, I watched Audrey sobbing and Caleb transforming into his wolf form. I positioned my sword over his chest once more but found myself unable to drive the blade through. Observing my hesitation, Caleb, in a final act of self-sacrifice, seized the blade with his own hands and forcefully plunged it through his heart, ending his suffering and preventing his transformation into the monstrous creature he was determined not to become.

"Brother, no!"

Caleb's skin was consumed by flames as he slowly transformed back into the man he once was, lifting the curse of the Demon Wolf.

I embraced Audrey, as she observed his brother being consumed by the cursed flames. Lysander's curse had claimed yet another life, leaving her in a state of despair.

"Did you see what the silver blade did to him?" Phillip asked.

I nodded, still holding Audrey tightly in my arms.

Marcus carefully withdrew the sword from Caleb's body, observing the blood sizzling at the contact with the silver blade.

Phillip grabbed his bow and quiver, walking towards the door. "I have seen enough. It's time to send this demon back to hell. Common kid, I need you to provide cover for me while I make my way to the tower."

Marcus smiled, tightening the grip on his sword. "This will be fun."

Phillip opened the door and, before leaving the smithy, he paused to glance back at me. He nodded, acknowledging the danger ahead. "I wish you the best, my friend. If your brother is near the gate, you must come forward. I'll be covering you from above."

"Don't die on me," I said.

"I'm not planning to."

As Phillip and Marcus ventured outside, a wolf suddenly materialized in their path. The creature growled menacingly, quickly charging toward Phillip. In a desperate move, Marcus slammed the Pavese shield onto the ground, creating a barrier that prevented the wolf from entering the smithy. Phillip rapidly knocked an arrow on his bow, his hands trembling slightly as he pulled the string taut, aiming at the wolf's head. However, more wolves joined the attack, overwhelming Marcus and forcing him to retreat, making the situation even more dangerous.

"Are you going to shoot that darn arrow?"

Phillip smiled and released the arrow, delivering a fatal blow to the wolf in front of them. "I thought you said it was going to be fun."

Phillip landed another deadly shot on a different wolf, causing the remaining beasts to retreat toward the gate. The dead wolves in front of us began to convulse violently. Their wolf-like forms began to sear, as they reverted to their human bodies again.

"Those men...they were part of the barbarian horde," I said, as I watched the bodies burn. "I'm afraid, the size of Lysander's pack is bigger than we previously thought."

I turned my gaze back to Audrey, trusting her to remain within the safety of the smithy until we had dealt with the wolves.

"Audrey, I need you to stay here. It's too dangerous out there."

As I walked away, I couldn't help but notice an adamant look in her eyes, suggesting that she might not heed my advice after all. With her brother gone, I understood the pain she was experiencing, being left alone in this wretched place.

She looked at me, her eyes filled with despair as she grieved her brother. "I can't just sit here while you all risk your lives. I have to do something to help."

"You’ve already done so much. But right now, the best way you can help is by staying safe. We need to know there's someone here we can trust, someone we can return to."

She took an old blanket and placed it over his brother's corpse. "I understand. I'll be waiting here."

With a smile, I left the smithy, as I watched Audrey closing the door.