Chapter 54
Young Kane's POV
When Brian roughly dragged me to the front lines, the Blood River warriors were already standing in formation, ready for battle.
The rope cutting into my flesh brought a sharp clarity, yet it couldn't dispel the pain of learning my mother was dead.
I'd imagined countless times what it would be like to see her again when I returned to Silver Moon—imagined she'd cry at my homecoming, tell me how agonizing these years of waiting had been.
Now even that last fantasy had been torn to shreds.
As Brian joined the ranks, Copper Claw and Iron Claw followed close behind. I lifted my head to see Black Claw, White Claw, and Red Claw all greeting their elder brother Gold Claw with loud, respectful voices.
I'd heard all these names before—the Seven Claw Generals, Blood River's most elite warriors, each one capable of taking on a hundred enemies. And now they were all gathered here, for the coming decisive battle.
Brian threw me to the ground. My back slammed hard into the dirt, the impact rattling my insides.
"This kid's a spy," he told the other generals, his tone dripping with contempt. "No telling what intelligence he passed to Silver Moon. We'll deal with him after the battle!"
I wanted to argue, to say I hadn't leaked anything at all, but my throat felt blocked, unable to make a sound.
I just wanted to go home, just wanted to escape this hell that had imprisoned me for four years. Now even that humble wish had become a crime.
Brian looked around, frowning. "Where's Nicholas?"
Black Claw Matthew Gonzalez gestured toward the distance. Following his gaze, I saw a tall figure standing with hands clasped behind his back beside the Alpha and Luna, face plastered with an obsequious smile.
That was Silver Claw Nicholas, a warrior I'd only seen from afar a few times at the training grounds.
Brian's eyes instantly sharpened like blades.
"How can we, as subordinates of the Crimson Flame Warlord, overstep our bounds to approach the Alpha and Luna?" he said coldly, clear displeasure in his tone. "This Nicholas needs to be taught a lesson next time."
I lay on the ground listening to their conversation, feeling nothing but numbness inside.
With battle imminent, everyone began chanting the Crimson Flame Warlord's title. The sound thundered in my ears, making my eardrums ache. I struggled to lift my head, wanting to see clearly this figure everyone revered.
When the Crimson Flame Warlord appeared at the center of the formation, the entire battlefield fell silent for a moment.
He wore crimson armor, his long hair flying in the wind, golden eyes seeming to pierce through everything. In that moment, I finally saw clearly who the so-called Crimson Flame Warlord was—it was Xavier, the man who'd saved me from death's door, who'd trained me, who'd given me warmth and hope.
My heart pounded violently, nearly bursting from my chest.
He was Blood River's warlord, an enemy general, someone I should hate. But why, when I saw him in that moment, did such complex emotions surge through me—gratitude, confusion, and an indescribable sense of loss?
On Silver Moon's side, the Silver Fang War Maiden Stella also entered the field. Her silver hair gleamed with cold light in the sunlight, her entire being radiating fierce killing intent.
The two legendary warriors faced each other at the battlefield's center, the air itself seeming to freeze.
Xavier spoke first. "This duel format benefits the soldiers under our command." He looked around at the nervously waiting warriors. "No need for frontline soldiers to slaughter each other, to shed needless blood."
I heard the consideration in his words. Even on this battlefield, even facing enemies, he still thought of his subordinates.
This was Xavier, the man who'd once told me "I need real warriors."
Stella's voice cut like ice. "Blood River's wolfish ambitions, constantly expanding—you've swallowed all the small packs around Silver Moon!" Her voice grew more furious. "Your territory has spread to Thunder Canyon—that was originally the territory of a small pack neighboring Silver Moon!"
Something I'd never seen before flashed in Xavier's eyes.
Was it guilt? Or helplessness?
He fell silent for a moment, finally saying flatly, "Each serves their master. No need for more words. Let's begin."
As his words fell, both transformed simultaneously.
A wolf red as flame and a wolf white as snow clashed at the battlefield's center. Their speed was dizzying, each collision raising fierce winds, each attack shaking the earth.
The two bodies collided in mid-air with an ear-splitting boom. I watched in stunned amazement—this was what true warriors' combat looked like.
At first, the battle seemed evenly matched. But gradually, Xavier's fire elemental power and his unparalleled combat technique began to dominate. Stella was forced to retreat step by step, her white fur scorched in multiple places, blood seeping through.
Finally, a heavy blow knocked her to the ground, where she panted with difficulty.
The red wolf began charging the "Fire God's Horn." That was Xavier's ultimate skill—I'd seen it once from afar at the training grounds. Orange-red flames gathered in his mouth, the temperature so high it distorted the surrounding air.
Everyone held their breath, knowing the killing blow was coming.
Just then, the white wolf suddenly leaped up, striking the red wolf's waist at an impossible angle, disrupting the Fire God's Horn's charge. Flames scattered and exploded, forcing Xavier to retreat. Stella seized this opportunity to frantically bite and attack the red wolf's waist.
I remembered that wound on Xavier's waist left by lightning...
The Crimson Flame Warlord's movements began to slow, each dodge appearing labored. He was pushing through, but the pain from his old injury clearly left him unable to defend properly.
On the viewing platform, Brian watched anxiously.
He muttered to himself, "How could this be? Did Silver Moon learn about the Crimson Flame Warlord's injury?"
Then, suddenly realizing something, he turned to glare at me viciously, fury burning in his eyes. "It's you! You must have leaked information about the general's new wound! You traitor!"
Before I could react, his fist crashed into my face.
Pain instantly flooded through me. I heard my nose bridge crack, felt warm liquid pour from my nostrils.
"I didn't..." I tried to defend myself, but the second punch cut me off. Brian's strength was too great—each punch hammered into my face like an iron mallet.
My vision began to blur, my ears ringing.
"Traitors deserve death!" Brian roared. "The Warlord treated you so well, and you betrayed him!"
I wanted to say I hadn't betrayed anyone, that I just wanted to go home, wanted to see my mother.
But now, my mother was dead, home was beyond reach, and even Xavier, the only one who'd been good to me, was in danger because of my "betrayal."
Had I really done something wrong?
Adult Kane's POV
"As for what happened after that great battle, I assume you already know."
I said to Julian. The hospital room was quiet except for the occasional sound of wind outside. Julian sat in a chair by the bed, looking at me with a complex expression.
"After that day, I was thrown back into the hostage camp. But that draw made Blood River slightly more restrained—the hostages' treatment improved a bit. At least we didn't have to endure those death games anymore. A year later, during the slave selection, I met Ella. From then on, it was just the two of us depending on each other in Blood River."
"After that battle, how did Xavier Scott's family disappear?" Julian finally asked. "And why did Ella become a slave?"
I shook my head.
I wanted answers to those questions too, but during my years in Blood River, I never got any explanation. Xavier vanished after that battle, never appearing again.
As for Ella... when she was brought to the hostage camp, she was already a silent child with empty eyes.
Julian fell silent for a moment, seeming to digest this information.
Then he changed the subject. "Now Blood River's army is invading through Frostbite Canyon, knowing such a secret route..." He paused, his eyes growing sharper. "I'd bet ten to one this was Stella's idea after defecting. Now she wields the dark flame, Sage is sealed, and I can't use my ice element. This will be a hard-fought battle."
"We must find Ella! Agh..." The wound on my chest pulled, making me gasp in pain.
But I forced myself to continue: "The fire elemental power dwelling in her—that's the key to ending this war!"