Apnoch shook his head, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "You really aren’t ordinary."
"Never claid I was." Damien smirked faintly, then gestured. "Lead the way. We’ve had enough battles for one day."
"Well, let’s continue to head back. Lyone’s asleep after receiving enough beating for the day." They continued toward the lodging Apnoch had prepared, the weight of the night’s revelations still pressing down on all of them.
By the ti Damien and Arielle were led into their assigned lodging, exhaustion had sunk into Damien’s bones. The place wasn’t grand, but it was clean, guarded, and most importantly—quiet. Arielle dropped onto the nearest bed with a sigh, already half-asleep before her boots even touched the floor.
Damien, on the other hand, lingered by the window, looking out over Delwig.
The city was unnervingly calm after the discoveries of the day. His mind replayed the abandoned hideout, the ambush, and the faces of the n who fought to stall them. He could still sll the faint trace of demonic essence, clinging to his senses like a curse.
He finally lay down, telling himself a bath could wait until morning.
But the mont his head touched the pillow, an itch crept along his skin—subtle at first, then relentless. He scratched his arm, then his neck, but it spread until he felt as though his whole body was crawling.
"Damn it..." he muttered under his breath, sitting up with a scowl. Arielle didn’t stir. She was lost to the world, breathing evenly. Damien, however, tugged off his shirt and stomped toward the small bath chamber.
The water was lukewarm, hastily drawn by attendants before they had entered, but it didn’t matter. He plunged in, dunking his head beneath the surface, letting the water drown the itch clinging to his skin. Slowly, the crawling sensation faded, replaced by the steady relief of cleansing.
"Well... now that’s better ." He exhaled, leaning back against the stone edge.
By the ti he climbed out, dripping and weary, the itch was gone. He chuckled dryly to himself. Should’ve bathed first. Lesson learned.
Finally, he collapsed into bed and drifted into dreamless sleep.
Morning light filtered in through the shutters, accompanied by the distant sound of marching boots and hurried voices. Damien sat up instantly, senses sharpening. Sothing was wrong.
He threw on his tunic and strapped his weapon to his hip before stepping outside. Arielle followed, hair still damp from her own rushed washing.
Together, they made their way toward General Ivaan’s command hall, but before they even reached it, shouts echoed through the streets.
"Ambush!" one of the soldiers barked, sprinting past. "The city is under attack—mutated beasts, inside the walls!"
Damien’s eyes narrowed. So soon.
By the ti they arrived at the stronghold, the war hall was alive with chaos. ssengers rushed in and out, carrying reports. Officers barked orders. The sound of horns echoed faintly in the distance, signaling units mobilizing to respond.
General Ivaan stood over the central map, one hand pressed against the table, the other pointing sharply as he issued orders. "Captain Apnoch, you will take your squad and reinforce Sector Three imdiately. Captain Relik, your n will cut off the escape routes along the eastern wall. If these creatures burrowed in, I want every tunnel sealed."
Apnoch saluted sharply. "Understood, General."
Damien, who had been hovering near the edge of the hall, caught every word. His gaze flicked to Arielle, who already looked ready to fight. He stepped forward before Apnoch could leave.
"We’re coming with you."
The room went quiet. Officers glanced at him, startled by his interruption. Apnoch turned, brows furrowed. "This isn’t so roadside ambush, Damien. This place is inside Delwig. If you step into this fight, there’s no hiding. Everyone will know your face."
Damien’s expression didn’t shift. "I don’t care who sees . What matters is that these nests aren’t just out there anymore—they’re here. If you lose even a fraction of ground inside these walls, the people will panic. We can’t afford that."
Ivaan straightened slowly, his sharp gaze locking onto Damien. For a long mont, he said nothing, the war hall tense with anticipation. Then, the general’s lips curved faintly.
"You overheard more than you should have," he rumbled. "But your reasoning is sound. Very well. Go. If you want to prove yourself, this is the place to do it."
He turned to Apnoch. "Treat them as allies. They’ll answer to you in this operation."
Apnoch hesitated, then inclined his head. "Yes, General."
Damien smirked faintly, already turning to leave. Arielle followed with a flicker of excitent in her eyes, while Apnoch motioned for his n to assemble.
As they exited the war hall, Damien caught the faintest murmur from Ivaan behind them. "Let’s see just what kind of storm you bring, boy."
Outside, the city was alive with movent. Civilians were being ushered away from the danger zones, while ard units gathered in formation.
Apnoch’s squad, seasoned and disciplined, fell into rank quickly. They gave Damien and Arielle curious, asuring looks, but no one voiced a complaint.
Apnoch mounted his horse, raising a hand. "Our orders are clear. The city must not fall. We’ll strike hard, clean, and fast. Anyone who isn’t with us—stay out of our way."
His gaze flicked toward Damien. "That includes you. You want in? Fine. But if you get reckless, I’ll drag you back myself."
Damien only chuckled, summoning Fenrir with a flick of thought. The great wolf erged in a flash of blue light, drawing startled gasps from the soldiers. Its eyes shone, but its aura was muted—just enough to keep fear from breaking discipline.
"I’ll try not to get in your way, Captain," Damien said with a sly grin.
Apnoch groaned under his breath, already regretting the general’s permission.
The squad rode hard through the streets, heading for the rising smoke and the faint tremors shaking the eastern districts.
Clang!
Bang!
Shouts and the clash of steel carried faintly through the air, mingled with the guttural roars of beasts.
Damien tightened his grip on Fenrir’s fur, his pulse quickening.
Another nest. Another experint site unleashed.
But this ti, it wasn’t so abandoned ruin.
It was inside of Delwig, the impregnable city.
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