Chapter 13 – Into the Blackwood
The blue flames continued to burn.
They rose above the treetops like pillars holding up the sky, casting an eerie glow over the northern horizon.
No smoke.
No ash.
Only light.
Brook rested both hands on the cold stone of the Wall.
"What is it?"
No one answered.
Captain Mercer slowly lowered his spyglass and turned to the officers behind him.
"Double every patrol."
"Seal the northern gate."
"Nobody leaves the city without my authorization."
The officers saluted and hurried off.
Within minutes, the Wall became a hive of activity. Messengers ran between towers, archers checked their quivers, and engineers inspected the ballistae lining the battlements.
Brook had never seen the northern defenses mobilize this quickly.
Beside him, Henry continued staring at the distant flames.
"They're beautiful."
Brook looked at him.
"They're terrifying."
Henry gave a faint smile.
"I suppose they can be both."
An hour later, the senior Watchmen gathered inside the command room beneath the northern gate.
A large map of the wilderness covered the table.
Captain Mercer placed a wooden marker deep inside the western forest.
"The fires started here."
Another marker was placed farther east.
"This is where yesterday's horde gathered."
He looked around the room.
"They're connected."
One of the veterans frowned.
"You think something drove them together?"
"I think something called them."
Silence followed.
Mercer finally looked toward Brook.
"You reported that the creatures weren't watching the Wall."
Brook nodded.
"They were looking past us."
"Toward the Blackwood."
"Yes."
Mercer folded his arms.
"Then whatever happened out there…"
"…started before they reached us."
A sharp knock interrupted the meeting.
A royal messenger entered the room, soaked from the rain.
He bowed first to Prince Henry.
"Your Highness."
Henry nodded.
"What is it?"
"The King requests your immediate return."
The messenger hesitated before continuing.
"The Royal Council has been assembled."
Henry's expression became serious.
"They've called a full council?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
No one in the room needed an explanation.
A full council was only called during moments of extraordinary danger.
Henry looked toward Mercer.
"I should go."
Mercer inclined his head.
"You have responsibilities here as well."
Henry turned to Brook.
"I don't think this will be the last time we meet."
Brook smiled.
"I hope not."
Henry extended his hand.
Brook shook it.
"It was a good match."
"It wasn't finished."
Henry laughed.
"We'll settle it another day."
With that, the prince departed with his royal guards, disappearing into the steady rain.
Brook watched until they were out of sight.
"He seems different from what I expected."
Crowley stood beside him.
"Different how?"
"I expected someone… softer."
Crowley chuckled.
"So did most people."
By evening, the rain had finally stopped.
Brook's patrol was assigned to the northern farms just inside the Wall.
Normally, it was one of the quietest routes in Shinokuni-01.
Tonight, even the farmers seemed uneasy.
A shepherd approached the patrol as they passed.
"Sir."
Brook stopped.
"Everything alright?"
The old man shook his head.
"My sheep won't go near the western fields."
Crowley glanced toward the horizon.
"Since when?"
"This morning."
"They've been crying all day."
Brook frowned.
"Animals don't usually react like that."
"They do," the shepherd replied quietly.
"…when something they can't understand is nearby."
Brook thanked him, and the patrol continued.
The western fields stretched ahead, empty except for rows of wheat swaying gently in the wind.
Everything looked normal.
Too normal.
Brook suddenly stopped walking.
Crowley noticed immediately.
"What is it?"
Brook slowly crouched.
The soil beneath the wheat had been disturbed.
Not by plows.
By footprints.
Hundreds of them.
They weren't human.
They weren't Abomination tracks either.
Each print had three long toes ending in deep, narrow claws.
Fresh.
Brook ran his fingers across the damp earth.
"They came through here."
Mercer knelt beside him.
"And they were walking."
Brook looked up.
"What?"
"Abominations don't march in formation."
Mercer pointed ahead.
The footprints were arranged in orderly lines, all moving toward the western edge of the farms.
Like soldiers.
A chill ran through Brook.
Before anyone could speak—
A scream echoed across the fields.
"Help!"
Without hesitation, Brook sprinted toward the sound.
Crowley and the others followed.
They reached a small barn at the edge of the farmland.
The doors hung open.
Inside, a young farmhand was pressed against the wall, trembling.
"What happened?" Brook asked.
The young man pointed toward the back of the barn.
"I… I saw someone."
"Who?"
"He was standing there."
The farmhand's voice shook violently.
"I thought he was another Watchman."
Brook stepped farther inside.
The barn was empty.
Only scattered hay and muddy footprints remained.
"Then he looked at me…"
The young man swallowed hard.
"…and his eyes were completely black."
The room fell silent.
Crowley studied the footprints without saying a word.
Brook turned toward him.
"Have you ever heard of anything like this?"
Crowley answered after a long pause.
"…No."
But as they left the barn, his gaze lingered on the strange tracks.
For the first time since Brook had met him…
Crowley looked genuinely troubled.
Far beyond the Wall, hidden within the blue flames of the Blackwood, a lone figure opened its eyes.
It smiled.
"They've noticed."
The fire around it slowly faded to darkness.