I felt the first snowflake of the night landing gently on my face. This simple touch of nature bolstered my determination to put an end to the Demon Wolf's reign, knowing that with Lysander's death, this nightmare would come to an end. As I walked towards the gate, I couldn't help but reflect on the uncertain aftermath. What would become of us once the fight was finally over? The future loomed uncertain, and not even Audrey would be able to provide an accurate reading of what lay ahead.

I advanced cautiously, making every effort not to attract unwanted attention. Suddenly, the sound of an arrow whizzed past my shoulder and struck a wolf that had been prowling behind me. The arrow found its mark directly in the creature's chest, causing it to whine and revert back into one of Gallagher's men. I offered Phillip a grateful nod, appreciating the precision of his marksmanship, as I remained vigilant, keeping a close watch on our surroundings. His skill with the silver arrows had proven invaluable in this dire situation.

At the gate, Marcus stood poised, his hands on the lever, prepared to open it.

"Just say the word, and I'll open the gate. The road is infested with the Demon Wolf's beasts, and the white wolf lies at the center of the pack."

"Thank you. You can open the gate now."

As the doors swung open, the incessant growls of the horde beyond became noticeable, as if they were eagerly awaiting the opportunity to strike. I positioned myself at the forefront, clutching my sword with all the strength I could muster. The sight before me was overwhelming—a sea of wolves stretching across the hills, filling every corner of the entrance to the town.

The wolves spotted my presence and wasted no time in charging towards me. I swung my sword with precision, piercing the chest of the first wolf to reach me. In the midst of the chaos, Phillip's arrows found their marks, taking down more of the oncoming pack. I pressed forward, my sword avenging Arland's death and the lives of the people of Bortoli with every wolf I struck down. Determined to put an end to the reign of the Demon Wolf, I continued walking towards the center of the horde.

The lifeless bodies of the barbarians piled up around me as the curse of the Demon Wolf was eradicated from their flesh. A chilling howl echoed in the vicinity, causing the attacking wolves to halt their assault. The white wolf emerged in front of me, its growl resonating with an air of dominance, compelling the other wolves to yield and move away from its path.

A surge of anger coursed through my heart as the white wolf came to a halt just a few feet in front of me.

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"Lysander!"

I screamed his name at the top of my lungs, the sound echoing throughout the town. Without a moment's hesitation, I charged toward him, swinging my sword with all my might and narrowly evading his ferocious attack.

Lysander retreated, releasing another bone-chilling howl, signaling his pack to attack. I took a step back, preparing to face the attack of wolves when a massive shield suddenly blocked the first wave of their attack.

"This is not how your life ends! We fight back together!"

Marcus appeared, driving his sword through the hearts of the approaching wolves and skillfully maneuvering the shield to protect me from their relentless onslaught. Arrows began to rain down around us, a sign that Phillip had moved closer to provide the support I desperately needed.

A sudden blow to the tower shield separated Marcus from our defensive position, sending him tumbling away. Lysander had joined the attack, his furious strength quickly overwhelming us both.

"Marcus!"

I cried out in anguish as I watched the relentless wolves attacking him, sinking their teeth into his flesh. Meanwhile, the Demon Wolf continued its relentless assault, skillfully evading the blade of my sword, as its pack gained distance, this time their attack well-coordinated.

In my moment of distraction, I inadvertently took a step backward, losing my balance and falling to the ground, leaving myself vulnerable to the Demon Wolf's attack. Instinctively, I raised my sword to shield my face, gripping the blade with my right hand. Lysander lunged with a fearsome bite, but his attack was thwarted by the blade of my sword. His mouth began to sear from the contact, but despite the pain, the white wolf did not back down, displaying a fierce determination to continue the fight.

My hand bled incessantly as I struggled to prevent Lysander from inflicting a mortal wound on me. Then, suddenly, his attention shifted away from me, releasing the blade of my sword.

"Randall!"

Audrey's voice rang out as she rushed toward me, extending her hand and holding the monkshood potion she had believed could cure her brother. In a horrifying move, the Demon Wolf leaped over me, sinking its teeth into Audrey's hand, causing her to cry out in pain and despair. The potion broke inside Lysander's mouth, causing him to stagger, retracing a step back.

As the Demon Wolf's mouth foamed, it released Audrey's hand from its grasp. Enraged by Audrey's brave intervention, the Demon wolf recuperated from its startled state, leaping over her, and inflicting a mortal wound on her neck. At that very moment, the Demon Wolf began to undergo a transformation, shifting back into Lysander's human form.

I rushed toward Audrey, deeply concerned for her life. "Audrey!"

Blood gushed from her neck as she attempted to reach out for my hand. "I've seen this, in my visions. My purpose has been fulfilled. It's up to you now to end The Demon's Wolf's reign."

A deep sense of despair engulfed my mind as I watched Audrey's life slowly fade away. Gripping my sword, I approached Lysander, taking note that the rest of the wolves had ceased their attacks. I stood beside his fallen body; memories of the man I had once loved like a brother flooded my thoughts. I positioned the tip of my sword near his heart but found myself unable to drive it downward to deliver the killing blow.