Levin hoisted the prisoner's body toward the furnace, meanwhile Daphne quickly wrapped a blanket. She had to stop the bleeding right away. Daphne really didn't want anyone else to be sacrificed, especially since this child wasn't a prisoner at all.
The final tie. Done.
Daphne stared at the poor girl, sprawled and completely unconscious. The longer she studied the red seepage, the more guilt surged like the crashing waves of Pandora. Her eyes were full of tears that she would not let fall, and her jaw tightened. But the numerous purplish-blue dots reflected the hatred of unhealed wounds. She wanted to take the girl with her.
Unfortunately, Levin quickly approached. "We don't have time. Leave him here."
They then continue their journey. Levin's and Daphne's footsteps echoed faintly in the narrow hallways. Time and dark history clung to the stone walls around them. A cold mist rolls up from the cracks in the ground, creeping up to the knees, creating a bone-chilling dampness.
The mouth of the Tunnel leads to a narrow passage that leads to a secret passage outside the royal citadel. The stone walls narrowed as strong wind, blowing from outside sounds like the sigh of a hungry creature.
Levin carefully embraced Daphne on the rough ground. The girl looked weak, her skin pale, her lips dry. Wordlessly, Levin handed her a bottle of water. The steam from their breaths mingled with the cool air, forming a fine mist.
"Drink up, you look great," he said.
Daphne stared at the bottle momentarily, then drank down every last drop. Her face was slightly flushed from the cold water, but her eyes were starting to open more fully now. There was a new awareness and sadness there.
"I understand," he said calmly, "At least before I die, I'll have a chance to be useful even if I fail. I warned you, okay? Besides, I have nothing to lose."
Levin stared at the girl with hurt in his eyes. There was something in his words that cut deep, as if she had accepted death as her only fate.
"You are not a cursed girl," Levin said softly.
Daphne fell silent. The words struck her deeper than any interrogation. She lowered her head, hiding her face behind her tangled hair.
"Your ability is what defeated the curse…" Levin continued. His voice grew softer, but firmer. "I promise I will see you soon."
Daphne's lips touched Levin's. It wasn't a passionate kiss. No. The strokes were soft and light, like the morning breeze before a storm. It was as if Daphne was stealing a taste of life that had never been given to her.
Levin froze. Their faces were so close now. Their eyes met. Fear and hope collided there. Their breaths were caught in the silence. Time nearly stopped.
"I believe you will come to me," Daphne whispered finally.
For the first time, a glimmer of light emerged from that gloomy, despairing Tunnel. It came from a pair of souls who finally found the courage to face each other's struggles.
***
As the sun reached its peak, Levin knelt before King Draco, who sat proudly on a wolf-bones throne. Behind him, the elders fell silent.
"Your Majesty, I regret to inform you that the body of the curse-breaking girl was burned." Levin removed the tattered cloth that wrapped the corpse, whose face was charred beyond recognition.
"Didn't I tell you to guard him in the tower?"
Levin lowered his head even further. "Forgive me, Your Majesty. It seems he managed to escape and got lost. I shot him with a fire arrow."
Draco slowly got up. He walked over to her, staring silently at the charred body.
"It's a shame… she's beautiful," Draco murmured. "But I trust you, Levin. You're my most loyal soldier."
Levin bowed. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
As the day grew darker behind the mountains, Levin prepared to head for Venevvia. In his backpack, he carried a letter to Daphne's family and information about the curse of the Night of a Thousand Darknesses that his late parents had gathered. He began to pass through the west gate.
SLEDGE!
A flaming arrow hit the ground, narrowly missing Levin's nose.
"Not one step further," came a cold voice.
Ten warriors dressed in shining steel surrounded him. One of them grinned. A metal covered his left eye. "We were ordered to ensure you don't take anything outside the city."
Levin threw down his backpack. The lightning in his gaze began to flash. Levin's pupils turned into emerald slits that reflected the sunset. His muscles flexed, and in an instant, his body transformed. Thick white fur sprouted from his skin, fangs bared, and claws slammed into the ground. A masculine white wolf stood proudly before them, ready for battle.
"Get ready!" the troop commander shouted.
The battle erupted. Fangs and swords clashed.
Blood soaked the dust beneath their feet. Levin tore through them one by one, but their numbers overwhelmed him. A spear pierced his side. He roared, his body reeling.
It was then that heavy footsteps were heard from a distance.
From the direction of the palace, King Draco arrived. He wore black and gold robes. his red eyes blazing. But what made Levin freeze was the figure in Draco's embrace.
Bitterness flared in Daphne's wavering eyes, and her skin was laced with angry red veins.
Daphne.
Levin froze. His breath caught. "How can you-?"
Daphne swallowed, returned his sad gaze, and then looked away.
Draco grinned. "And now I know what you've been hiding from me."
Levin took a step back. The world seemed to be collapsing around him.
"Welcome to your new game, wolf warrior," Draco said quietly. "Because your piece has changed sides. Will you battle for something that could lead to your death?"