Delanzhou: Wolf Blood and Moon Shadow

The crackling fire was no more than embers now, casting faint orange hues against the shelter's earthen walls. William sat cross-legged by the dying flames, lost in thought. Alice had retreated to the edge of the shelter, her gaze fixed on the forest beyond. Though her stance was calm, William could sense the weight of something deeper—an invisible chain that held her there, tethering her thoughts to a place far from their modest sanctuary.

He broke the silence. "You never answered my question."

Alice turned her head slightly, though she didn't meet his eyes. "Which one?"

"About traveling. Leaving all this behind," he said, his voice steady but curious. "You hesitated. Why?"

She sighed softly, the sound barely audible over the hum of the night. "It's not hesitation," she said after a moment. "It's... complicated."

William raised an eyebrow. "Complicated how?"

Alice finally looked at him, her silver eyes catching the faint glow of the fire. "My family. My responsibilities. If I leave, I abandon them to a future they didn't choose. But if I stay, I'm trapped in one I didn't choose."

Her words were laced with frustration, and William saw a rare vulnerability in her usually composed demeanor. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "You don't strike me as someone who lets others decide her fate."

Alice let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. "You don't understand. It's not just about me. My family has been loyal to the vampire clans for generations. I was raised to marry into another clan, to forge alliances, to secure power. It's all been decided."

"And you're okay with that?" William asked, his tone sharper than he intended.

Her gaze hardened, but there was no malice in it—only weariness. "Of course I'm not okay with it," she snapped. "But walking away means leaving them vulnerable. My parents, my siblings—they'll bear the consequences of my choices."

William stared at her, his mind racing. He understood the weight of loyalty, of family ties that felt like both a lifeline and a noose. But he also knew what it meant to lose oneself in the process.

"You can't protect them if you're not free," he said softly. "And if they care about you, they wouldn't want you to sacrifice your life for theirs."

Alice fell silent, her expression conflicted. She turned back to the forest, her silver hair catching the moonlight. "It's not that simple, William."

"Maybe not," he admitted, "but staying here won't solve anything. You've already said this place is neutral ground—nothing grows here. If you want to change things, you need to take that first step. Even if it's small."

She didn't respond, her eyes fixed on the shadows beyond the trees. The silence stretched between them, heavy but not uncomfortable. William decided to let the conversation rest, knowing she needed time to wrestle with her thoughts.

As the first hints of dawn began to paint the sky, Alice spoke again, her voice barely above a whisper. "If I go with you… there's no turning back."

William turned to her, his expression serious. "I won't ask you to make that choice lightly. But if you come with me, you won't have to face it alone."

Her eyes met his, and for the first time, he saw a flicker of something other than doubt—hope.

The decision was made the following evening. Alice packed her belongings with meticulous care, her movements quick and efficient. William helped where he could, though he knew better than to interfere with her focused energy. As they prepared to leave the Greywood, the atmosphere was tense but resolute.

"We'll head south," Alice said as they stepped out of the shelter, the forest stretching endlessly before them. "It's farther from the vampire territories, but closer to where you might find allies."

"Allies," William echoed with a grim smile. "no longer needed."

When I decided to take you away, I thought I would no longer need allies, because there will be no more wars in my world, and all my strength is only to protect you. "Alice, I'm suddenly tired of this life. Are you willing to live a peaceful life with me?"

Alice smirked faintly, her demeanor lighter than it had been in days. "You'll need optimism if we're going to survive this."

They traveled in companionable silence, the rhythm of their steps blending with the sounds of the forest. The trees grew thicker as they ventured deeper, their branches forming a dense canopy that filtered the sunlight into soft, golden beams. Despite the beauty around them, William couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air.

"You sense it too, don't you?" Alice asked suddenly, her voice low.

William nodded. "The magic. It's stronger here."

Alice's expression darkened. "We should be careful. Whatever's causing this… it's not natural."

They pressed on, the faint traces of dark magic growing more pronounced with each passing mile. The air grew colder, carrying with it a faint, acrid smell that set William's teeth on edge. By the time they reached a narrow ravine, the sensation was almost overwhelming.

"Look," Alice said, pointing to the ground. Strange symbols had been etched into the dirt, their jagged lines pulsing faintly with an eerie, crimson light.

William crouched beside them, his jaw tightening. "This isn't just dark magic. It's a summoning ritual."

Alice knelt beside him, her silver eyes narrowing as she studied the markings. "Whoever did this knows what they're doing. These runes are ancient—older than either of our bloodlines."

William frowned. "Why here? This place is so remote."

Alice stood, her gaze scanning their surroundings. "That's exactly why. No one would think to look for it here."

Before William could respond, a rustling sound came from the trees behind them. He spun around, his body tensing as he prepared for a fight. Alice drew her dagger, her movements swift and precise.

A figure emerged from the shadows, cloaked in tattered robes that seemed to ripple unnaturally. Their face was obscured, but their voice was low and menacing. "You shouldn't be here."

William stepped forward, his tone steady but firm. "Neither should you. What are you doing with this magic?"

The figure laughed, a hollow, echoing sound that sent a chill down William's spine. "You wouldn't understand. This is beyond you."

Alice's dagger gleamed as she pointed it toward the figure. "Try us."

The figure tilted their head, as if considering her challenge. "Brave words from a runaway bride."

Alice stiffened, her grip tightening on her weapon. "Who are you?"

"I am no one," the figure said cryptically. "But I serve something greater. And you… you are in the way."

Before they could react, the figure raised a hand, dark tendrils of magic lashing out toward them. William dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack. Alice moved with practiced grace, her dagger slicing through the tendrils as they came too close.

"We can't fight this here!" William shouted, his instincts screaming at him to retreat.

Alice hesitated, her eyes blazing with defiance. "We can't let them finish the ritual!"

"Then we destroy it and run," William said, grabbing her arm. "We're not ready for this fight."

Alice's gaze darted to the glowing runes, and she nodded reluctantly. Together, they worked quickly to disrupt the markings, kicking dirt over the lines and breaking the connections between them. The figure let out an enraged scream, their magic flaring wildly as the ritual collapsed.

"Go!" William shouted, pulling Alice away as the ground began to tremble.

They ran, the forest blurring around them as they fled the collapsing clearing. It wasn't until they were far from the site, their breaths heaving and their bodies trembling, that they stopped.

Alice turned to William, her silver eyes wide but resolute. "This isn't over."

He nodded, his expression grim. "No. But we'll be ready next time."

And in that moment, William realized something else: n his previous life, he did not discover this dark magic here, but returned to the tribe after recovering his strength.