The night wind was like a knife, slicing through the silence of the forest.
Allen lay on the stone platform, breathing rapidly. The black mark on his chest spread like a living thing, and wisps of black qi flowed beneath his skin, as if it would break out at any moment.
Kalle stood in front of the stone platform, gripping the short dagger tightly. His palms were soaked with cold sweat. The moonlight sprinkled down coldly, making the ruin look dreamlike. Everything in front of him was both real and seemed not to belong to the mortal world.
The woman sat cross-legged beside Allen, her palm pressed against his forehead. Her eyebrows were slightly furrowed, and she murmured ancient incantations in a low voice. Silver runes emerged in her palm, emitting a faint light, as if a thin veil enveloped Allen, gradually suppressing the encroaching black qi.
But Kalle could tell that it wasn't easy.
"How is he?" Kalle asked in a low voice, his voice hoarse, and unease hidden in his eyes.
The woman was silent for a moment, then looked up at him. "He's stabilized for now. But... it can only hold until dawn."
Kalle's heart suddenly sank, and his clenched fingers trembled slightly. "What happens after dawn?"
The woman withdrew her hand and gently stroked the cursed mark on her wrist, her voice slightly cold. "His consciousness will gradually be devoured by the beast. If the source of the curse isn't removed, he will completely turn into a wolf."
Allen on the stone platform murmured in a low voice, shouting something indistinctly, with pain and struggle in his voice. Kalle leaned over and listened for a moment, then froze.
Allen was shouting - brother.
Kalle's heart trembled violently, and a touch of warmth flashed across his eyes, replacing the previous anxiety.
"Allen, don't be afraid," Kalle said in a low voice, reaching out to gently wipe the cold sweat from Allen's forehead. "I won't let anyone hurt you."
The woman watched this scene quietly, and her gaze softened a bit. "You two have a very good relationship."
Kalle nodded, and a smile appeared on his lips. "We grew up together. He always liked to follow me. When I went to the river to fetch water when we were young, he would sit on the bank holding the bucket and wait. Even in winter, when he was shivering with cold, he didn't want to go back."
The woman listened quietly, the coldness on her face gradually faded, and a trace of nostalgic light flashed in her eyes. "When I was a child, I also liked to follow my brother. No matter where he went, I refused to leave."
"You also have a brother?" Kalle looked at her in surprise. This was the first time she had
voluntarily mentioned her past.
The woman nodded slightly, and a faint smile appeared on her lips. "Yes, he was a remarkable hunter, braver and stronger than me."
Kalle was silent for a moment, then tentatively asked, "So where is he now..."
The woman's smile disappeared instantly, and her gaze turned towards the darkness in the distance. "He was killed by a werewolf while trying to save me."
Kalle was stunned.
The wind blew through the ruin, and the woman's voice seemed to blend into the night, becoming barely audible. "If I hadn't been cursed, he wouldn't have died."
Kalle looked at the self-blame and pain in her eyes, hesitated to speak, and finally only said in a low voice, "You've already done your best."
The woman shook her head and said in a deep voice, "So, I won't let others follow the same tragic path."
She stood up and looked around. The moonlight shone on her face, reflecting a trace of determination. "While we still have time, we must leave here."
"Where to?"
"Find those two curse casters." The woman's eyes were cold, and her tone was beyond doubt. "Only by killing them can we lift the curse on Allen."
Kalle took a deep breath, carried Allen on his back, and his gaze was firm. "Lead the way."
Deep in the forest, the night was thick.
The figures of the three of them shuttled through the dense forest. The surrounding darkness was as black as ink, and the low howls of the wolf pack in the distance could be faintly heard.
The woman led the way in front, her steps light and swift. Each step accurately avoided the hidden traps and dangers in the forest.
"Why are you so familiar with this forest?" Kalle couldn't help asking.
The woman looked ahead, her voice indifferent. "I hunted here for many years."
Kalle was silent for a moment. "Before your brother passed away?"
"Yes," the woman said in a low voice. "This is the territory of the werewolves. Ordinary people don't dare to approach. But hunters must learn how to survive here, otherwise they will soon become prey."
As soon as she finished speaking, a low growl suddenly sounded not far away. Kalle stopped in his tracks instantly and gripped the short dagger alertly.
Among the tree shadows, a huge black wolf slowly emerged. Its deep blue eyes were terrifyingly bright in the darkness.
Kalle's heart rate quickened, and his body tensed up. "Are they still chasing us?"
The woman frowned slightly. "Something's not right..."
The black wolf growled and slowly approached. However, it didn't pounce directly. Instead, it stopped in front of them and stared straight at Allen.
Kalle instinctively protected Allen behind him. "What does it want to do?"
The woman stared at the black wolf, and a trace of confusion flashed in her eyes. "It's hesitating."
"Hesitating?"
"Wolf packs usually follow the orders of their leader, but this wolf... seems to be struggling."
Kalle's gaze was solemn. "What do you mean?"
The woman didn't answer but took a step forward slowly and stared into the black wolf's eyes. "If you still have your wits about you, back off."
The black wolf let out a growl. Its gaze wavered between Allen and the woman. Finally, it slowly backed away and disappeared into the darkness.
Kalle looked in the direction where the black wolf had left, his face full of confusion. "Why did it leave?"
The woman pondered for a moment and said in a low voice, "Perhaps, it doesn't want to see Allen die."
Kalle frowned tightly. "You mean..."
The woman nodded, her gaze complicated. "The curse on Allen may be deeper than we thought. He, perhaps, is not an ordinary sacrifice."
Kalle was silent, and a trace of unease faintly rose in his heart. He looked down at Allen's sleeping face and secretly vowed in his heart: No matter what the truth is, I won't give up on you.
The faint light of dawn gradually shone down, and the darkness in the forest slowly faded away.
At the end of the ruin, an ancient stone gate stood quietly. The stone gate was covered with wolf head carvings, like guardians from a thousand years ago, staring at the approaching people.
The woman stopped, her gaze calm. "We're here. This is the entrance to the source of the curse."
Kalle, carrying Allen on his back, stood in front of the stone gate, and his heart rate gradually quickened.
He knew that the moment he stepped through the stone gate, what awaited them would be a journey with an uncertain outcome of life and death.