CHAPTER 57
The palace no longer felt like home.
It felt like war.
---
"Report."
Zack's voice was calm, but it carried across the chamber like a blade.
The commander standing before him straightened immediately.
"They are advancing again, my lord," he said. "We held the northern line for three days, but they broke through at dawn."
"How many did we lose?" Zack asked.
The man hesitated. "…Too many."
Zack's expression did not change.
"And them?"
"They lost numbers as well… but they did not retreat fully. They pulled back… then returned stronger."
---
Another commander stepped forward.
"They no longer fight blindly," he added. "They watch us. They change tactics. They strike where we are weakest."
Zack's eyes lifted slightly.
"They are learning," he said.
The room fell silent.
---
A noble at the side shifted uneasily. "Learning? They are beasts."
Zack turned his gaze to him slowly.
"Beasts do not adapt after every battle," he said. "Beasts do not plan coordinated strikes."
The noble lowered his head immediately.
---
"There is more…" one of the soldiers said, his voice uncertain.
Zack looked back at him. "Speak."
The man swallowed.
"We captured one."
That drew attention instantly.
"You captured a werewolf?" someone asked.
"Not for long," the soldier replied. "It… changed."
---
Zack's eyes narrowed slightly. "Explain."
"It took human form," the man said. "We thought it was one of ours at first… until it attacked from within."
Murmurs spread across the chamber.
"That means they can enter the city—"
"They could already be inside—"
"We would not know—"
---
"Enough."
Zack didn't raise his voice, but the room obeyed instantly.
---
"They are no longer just creatures of the wild," Zack said slowly.
"They are thinking enemies."
---
Before anyone could respond, the doors opened.
Two guards entered.
Dragging a man between them.
---
At first glance, he looked human.
Bruised. Bound. Head lowered.
But something about him was wrong.
---
"Raise his head," Zack ordered.
One of the guards forced his chin up.
---
His eyes met Zack's.
Sharp.
Unnatural.
Alive in a way that made the air shift.
---
A noble stepped back immediately. "That… that is one of them?"
Zack walked forward.
"Yes."
---
"I brought him from the eastern front," Zack said. "Alive."
The room stirred.
"You left the frontlines yourself?" a commander asked.
"I go where I am needed," Zack replied.
---
The creature chuckled softly.
Low.
Unafraid.
"You dragged me far for this," it said.
Several people flinched.
It spoke clearly.
Like a man.
---
Zack stopped directly in front of it.
"You understand our language."
The creature tilted its head slightly.
"We understand more than you think."
A faint smile touched its lips.
---
A guard stepped forward angrily. "Do not speak to—"
"Stand down," Zack said without looking at him.
The guard froze.
---
The creature's eyes stayed on Zack.
Studying him.
"You are different," it said.
Zack said nothing.
---
"I can smell it on you," the creature continued. "Blood… many of ours."
Zack's voice remained steady.
"And I can see what you have done to mine."
---
The creature smiled wider.
"Yes."
No regret.
No hesitation.
---
A chill ran through the room.
---
Zack turned slightly, addressing everyone.
"They are not mindless," he said. "They communicate. They observe. They adapt."
He looked back at the creature.
"And they can blend."
---
A noble spoke in a hushed tone. "Then how do we fight something we cannot identify?"
Zack answered without hesitation.
"We learn faster than they do."
---
The creature let out a quiet laugh.
"You are already behind."
---
Zack stepped closer.
Close enough that the guards tensed.
---
"You believe that," Zack said.
"I know that," the creature replied.
Its eyes gleamed.
"This land is changing."
---
The room felt heavier.
---
"It no longer belongs to you," the creature added.
---
A murmur of unease spread.
---
Zack did not react.
"We will decide that," he said calmly.
---
The creature leaned slightly forward despite the chains.
"You still think this is a war you can win?"
---
Zack's gaze did not waver.
"I do not think," he said.
"I act."
---
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Sharp.
---
Zack turned to the guards.
"Take him to the lower chambers."
The guards tightened their hold.
---
One of the commanders stepped forward. "My lord… what do you intend to do with it?"
---
Zack paused.
Then said—
"Understand it."
---
The creature's smile didn't fade.
But something in its eyes shifted.
Slightly.
---
Because for the first time—
It was no longer the hunter.
---
It was the subject.
---
Zack turned back to the room.
"Double the guards," he ordered. "No one moves alone. Every entry point is to be watched."
"Yes, my lord."
---
"And send word to all units," Zack continued. "If they see one of these creatures in human form—"
A pause.
"Do not hesitate."
---
The meaning was clear.
---
Kill.
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The room did not argue.
---
Because fear had already taken hold.
---
Zack began to walk away.
Then stopped.
Just briefly.
---
"They are coming closer," he said without turning back.
"And next time—"
His voice lowered slightly.
---
"They will not stop at the borders."
---
No one spoke after that.
---
Because for the first time—
The war no longer felt distant.
---
It felt like it was already inside the walls.