THE VOICE OF THE FALLEN
The entire battlefield froze.
Even the wind seemed to stop.
Rowan slowly turned his head toward the giant black wolf.
“…Did that thing just talk?”
Lucian’s grip tightened on his sword.
“Yes.”
The Dark Alpha stood towering over the clearing, its crimson eyes locked directly on Aria.
Smoke drifted through the burning forest around them, but the creature didn’t move.
It simply stared.
Aria stepped forward slowly.
The silver glow around her body pulsed gently.
“You can speak.”
The Dark Alpha’s massive chest rose and fell heavily.
When it spoke again, the voice sounded strained—like something ancient forcing words through a broken throat.
“…Primordial blood.”
Lucian’s eyes narrowed.
“It recognizes her.”
The Alpha King stepped slightly in front of Aria again.
But the Dark Alpha didn’t growl this time.
It didn’t attack.
Instead, it lowered its massive head slightly.
The dragon watched from the side, its wings partially spread, but it didn’t interfere.
Even it seemed curious.
The Blood Emperor frowned for the first time.
“…Why are you hesitating?”
The Dark Alpha ignored him.
Its crimson gaze remained fixed on Aria.
“…You carry… the first wolf.”
Aria’s silver eyes flickered.
“Yes.”
The giant wolf took another slow step closer.
The ground trembled beneath its weight.
Lucian whispered,
“Careful.”
But Aria didn’t step back.
Instead she studied the creature carefully.
There was something wrong about its presence.
Something twisted.
The Primordial voice inside her spoke again.
It was once one of ours.
Aria’s eyes widened slightly.
“…You were an Alpha.”
The Dark Alpha let out a low, painful sound.
“…Once.”
Rowan blinked.
“Oh.”
“That’s depressing.”
The Blood Emperor’s patience snapped.
“Enough!”
Dark energy burst from his body again.
“You belong to me!”
He raised his glowing hand toward the creature.
The red symbol burned brighter.
The Dark Alpha suddenly winced.
Its massive body trembled.
Lucian immediately understood.
“He’s controlling it.”
The giant wolf growled in pain as the symbol burned brighter.
The Blood Emperor smiled cruelly.
“You exist because I allow it.”
The Dark Alpha’s claws dug into the earth.
Its body trembled violently.
Aria stepped forward again.
“Stop.”
The Blood Emperor laughed.
“And why would I?”
Aria’s silver aura flared brighter.
“Because you’re hurting him.”
Rowan blinked.
“…We’re defending the demon wolf now?”
Lucian raised a hand slightly.
“Wait.”
The Blood Emperor’s eyes gleamed.
“That creature is nothing but a weapon.”
He tightened his glowing fist.
The Dark Alpha let out a painful roar.
Its massive body collapsed to one knee.
The dragon growled loudly from the side, clearly angered by the display.
Aria’s expression hardened.
The Primordial power surged violently inside her.
Her voice echoed with ancient authority.
“Release him.”
The command rolled across the battlefield like thunder.
For a moment—
The Blood Emperor’s hand actually shook.
But then he laughed again.
“No.”
Aria raised her hand slowly.
Silver light exploded outward from her body.
The power rushed toward the Dark Alpha.
Lucian’s eyes widened.
“Aria!”
The silver energy wrapped around the giant wolf like glowing chains.
The Dark Alpha roared in shock as the power touched it.
The red symbol on its body began flickering.
Cracks appeared in the glowing mark.
The Blood Emperor’s smile vanished instantly.
“…What are you doing?”
Aria’s eyes burned with silver fire.
“Freeing him.”
The symbol cracked again.
The Dark Alpha’s roar shook the entire forest.
The red mark shattered.
The control broke.
The Blood Emperor staggered backward in shock.
“That’s impossible!”
The Dark Alpha slowly lifted its massive head.
The pain in its eyes faded slightly.
For the first time—
It looked clear.
Lucian whispered quietly,
“She broke the control.”
Rowan let out a long breath.
“Well that’s one problem solved.”
But the moment didn’t last long.
Because the Dark Alpha suddenly looked down at Aria again.
Its crimson eyes still burned with power.
Still filled with something dangerous.
Lucian frowned.
“…Wait.”
The giant wolf stepped closer again.
Now completely free.
The Alpha King moved protectively again.
But the Dark Alpha ignored him.
Its massive head lowered closer to Aria.
Then its deep voice rumbled again.
“…You freed me.”
Aria didn’t move.
“Yes.”
The creature studied her carefully.
Then it asked one quiet question.
“…Why?”