A DEBT OF BLOOD
The giant wolf’s question hung in the air.
“…Why?”
Aria stood beneath the towering creature, the silver glow around her slowly fading.
“You were being used.”
The Dark Alpha stared at her.
Its crimson eyes burned less violently now, though the power inside them was still immense.
“…Used.”
Its deep voice echoed like distant thunder.
Lucian stepped closer to Aria, still cautious.
“Just because it’s free doesn’t mean it’s safe.”
Rowan nodded quickly.
“Very important detail.”
The Alpha King didn’t speak.
His golden eyes remained fixed on the Dark Alpha, ready to move if the creature attacked.
But the giant wolf didn’t growl.
Instead, it lowered its head slightly again.
“…Long ago… I was an Alpha.”
Aria listened quietly.
“The Blood Emperor found me… wounded… after a war.”
The Dark Alpha’s voice became darker.
“…He did not heal me.”
Lucian muttered,
“I figured.”
The giant wolf continued.
“…He changed me.”
Its claws dug deeper into the ground.
“Filled my body with corrupted blood.”
The dragon shifted slightly behind them, its wings rustling in the smoke.
Even it seemed to listen.
The Dark Alpha’s red eyes turned slowly toward the Blood Emperor.
Rage flickered in them.
“You stole my pack.”
The Blood Emperor laughed.
“You should thank me.”
“You were dying.”
Rowan groaned.
“That guy really doesn’t know when to shut up.”
The Dark Alpha’s body trembled.
But Aria raised her hand slightly.
The silver glow pulsed again.
The creature slowly calmed.
Lucian noticed.
“She’s stabilizing him.”
The Primordial voice whispered inside Aria’s mind.
Broken wolves still remember their pack.
The Dark Alpha looked back at her.
“…You carry the first pack.”
Aria didn’t deny it.
“Yes.”
For a moment the giant wolf said nothing.
Then slowly—
It lowered itself further.
Not attacking.
Not threatening.
Almost kneeling.
Rowan’s jaw dropped.
“…Okay that’s new.”
Lucian stared carefully.
“It’s submitting.”
The Alpha King’s golden eyes widened slightly.
Even he hadn’t expected that.
The Dark Alpha spoke again.
“…I owe you a debt.”
The Blood Emperor’s smile disappeared.
“No.”
His voice turned cold.
“You belong to me.”
Dark energy exploded around him again.
The sky above the forest darkened suddenly.
Lucian turned sharply.
“What is he doing now?”
The Blood Emperor raised both hands again.
Red lightning crackled across the clouds.
“You think freeing one monster changes anything?”
His eyes burned with fury.
“I still control the battlefield.”
The monsters in the forest began moving again.
Dozens of glowing red eyes appeared through the smoke and burning trees.
Rowan groaned loudly.
“Why are there always more monsters?”
The dragon roared again.
This time it spread its wings fully and stepped beside Aria.
Lucian blinked.
“…Now the dragon joined her side.”
Rowan laughed.
“Honestly I’m not even surprised anymore.”
The Dark Alpha slowly rose again.
Now standing beside Aria as well.
Its massive body towered protectively behind her.
Lucian looked at the growing lineup.
Aria.
The dragon.
The giant wolf.
Then he slowly looked at the Blood Emperor.
“…You might have miscalculated.”
The Blood Emperor’s eyes narrowed.
But his smile returned.
“You think you’ve won?”
Lightning struck the ground behind him.
A massive crack opened in the earth again.
Aria felt it instantly.
A cold sensation ran through her chest.
The Primordial spirit suddenly whispered in alarm.
No.
Her silver eyes widened.
Lucian noticed immediately.
“What is it?”
Aria stared at the crack spreading through the earth.
Her voice came out quiet.
“He’s not summoning monsters.”
The ground split wider.
Dark mist poured out.
The Blood Emperor’s grin widened.
Lucian’s stomach dropped.
“…Then what is he summoning?”
Aria’s voice turned deadly serious.
“He’s opening a gate.”