Ethan Carter carried Allen on his back, following closely behind the mysterious woman.
Moonlight filtered through the treetops, barely lighting the narrow path ahead.
Allen muttered incoherently in his sleep, cold sweat covering his forehead. His pale face twisted in pain, his body trembling as if something inside him was tearing him apart.
"How long can he last?" Ethan asked in a low voice. The weight on his back grew heavier, but his steps remained steady.
"If we move fast, I might be able to suppress it before it fully takes over," the woman replied calmly, weaving effortlessly through the forest. "But you need to be prepared. If the curse cannot be contained… you may have to end his suffering yourself."
Ethan paused for a split second, jaw tightening.
"I won't let him die."
The woman glanced at him but said nothing.
The forest was suffocatingly silent. Only the rustling of leaves broke the stillness.
Then—
A long, low howl echoed from afar.
Ethan instinctively tightened his grip on the knife.
The woman suddenly stopped.
"They're here."
In the distance, between the trees—
Pairs of glowing blue eyes slowly appeared.
Watching.
Closing in.
The black wolves moved silently, but the killing intent around them was unmistakable.
"Keep moving. Don't stop," the woman said softly, drawing her dagger. Its silver edge glinted under the moonlight. "If they attack, protect him. I'll hold them off."
Ethan frowned. "You can handle them alone?"
A faint, cold smile appeared on her lips.
"We'll find out."
Ethan said nothing more. He pressed forward, gripping his weapon tightly.
The attack came without warning.
A black wolf burst from the shadows, lunging toward his side, its fangs gleaming.
"Damn it!"
Ethan twisted his body, barely dodging the strike. But carrying Allen slowed him down.
Claws ripped across his sleeve, leaving three deep cuts. Blood seeped out instantly.
Before he could react—
Another wolf leaped straight for Allen.
"Get away from him!"
Ethan roared, spinning around. His blade plunged deep into the wolf's abdomen.
It let out a sharp cry and collapsed, blood spreading across the ground.
But more wolves emerged.
Surrounding them.
Closing in.
The woman moved like a phantom.
Her dagger flashed again and again, cutting down two wolves in quick succession. None could even touch her.
Ethan's breathing grew heavier.
"We can't keep this up. They'll surround us."
"Go!" she snapped without turning back. "I'll cover you!"
Ethan hesitated.
"Don't worry about me!" she cut him off sharply. "If I die—keep moving. Don't look back."
Ethan looked at her back—
Standing alone between him and the wolves.
Something stirred in his chest.
But there was no time.
"Hold on, Allen!"
He gritted his teeth and ran.
Deeper into the forest.
Behind him, the sounds of battle erupted—howls, steel, impact—
But he didn't turn back.
He couldn't.
---
At the edge of the forest—
Moonlight poured down onto a field of ruins.
Ethan stumbled out, breathing heavily.
Allen had completely lost consciousness. His body was ice-cold.
Before them stood ancient stone remains—
Broken pillars.
Collapsed statues.
Like a forgotten sanctuary lost to time.
Ethan gently lowered Allen onto a flat stone platform, dropping to one knee as he wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"You made it just in time."
The familiar voice echoed again.
Ethan turned.
The woman stepped out from the shadows.
Her gray cloak was stained with blood. Her shoulder trembled slightly—she had been injured.
"You okay?" Ethan asked, frowning.
She shook her head and walked over to Allen.
Placing her hand on his forehead, she spoke softly:
"I can only suppress the curse… temporarily."
Ethan stared at her.
"Who are you? Why are you helping us?"
She fell silent for a moment.
Then—
"I used to be a hunter."
"I hunted werewolves. Protected the town."
Her voice trembled slightly.
"But now…"
Her gaze dimmed.
"I can't go back."
Ethan stepped closer.
"Why?"
She lowered her head.
Then slowly pulled back her sleeve.
A dark mark spread across her arm—
Identical to Allen's.
Ethan's pupils shrank.
"You're… cursed too?"
She let out a faint, bitter smile.
"Yes."
"I'm fighting the same beast inside me."
Silence fell.
Ethan didn't expect this.
The one who saved them—
Was just like Allen.
The woman looked at Allen, her voice soft.
"I can't save myself."
"But I can still save him."
"At least… I don't want anyone to end up like me."
Ethan looked at her.
For the first time—
He saw not just strength.
But sorrow.
"Thank you," he said quietly.
She shook her head and focused again.
Under the moonlight, her face was calm and resolute.
Like the only light in the darkness.
In this forest—
Some chose to fall into the shadows.
And some—
Chose to become the light.