Chapter 214

Chapter 214
Deric

The forest was quiet in a way that felt unnatural, the kind of silence that pressed against my ears and made my own heartbeat thunder in response. Even the wind had stopped, leaving the branches to sway without sound. I hated it. I hated the stillness. It always meant someone was waiting or watching. And I had learned the hard way that enemies never announced themselves politely.

Elvira’s voice echoed in my mind, soft and clear from earlier that morning: “Be careful, Deric” She had no idea just how personal this one was, how much it cut deeper than any fight I’d faced before.

I had tracked him, or her, if I could be honest, it had been a woman, from the remnants of Felen’s influence. She had been smart, patient, leaving threads behind that most would have overlooked. But I wasn’t most people. Every whisper, every hint, every faint trace of her magic, it all led here. To the edge of the forest where the enemies seemed to cling like living things, waiting for me to slip.

The first sign was subtle, a snap of a twig, distant yet deliberate. My pulse jumped, and I sank lower, crouching behind a fallen tree. I could smell the damp scent and the faint metallic scent of old blood. My hands were tight fists, trembling not from fear but anticipation. The instinct to protect, to fight, to ensure that Elvira was safe, coursed through me like fire.

“Show yourself,” I called, voice low and steady despite the tension. “I know you’re here. I know what you want.”

A laugh floated through the trees, soft and chilling. “Supriseeee, Deric.” The voice was familiar, enough to make my stomach twist. A former ally of Felen’s, one who had survived all the purges and now dared to step into my territory.

I didn’t answer. I couldn’t afford to. Every second counted. I needed to see her before she made a mistake, before anyone got hurt. And yet, even as my mind sharpened with strategy, there was that gnawing doubt: did I risk too much to protect Elvira, or would keeping her in the dark put her in more danger?

The figure emerged, moving gracefully, like a predator testing its prey. Her eyes caught mine, wide and unflinching, a small smirk curling her lips. “You think you can stop me?” she said, voice dripping with condescension.

“I’m not here to think,” I growled. “I’m here to end this.” My teeth clenched as I pushed forward, each step deliberate. The tension in my muscles was unbearable, every nerve on edge.

She tilted her head, clearly enjoying the tension. “End this? Oh, Deric… Felen sent me with a task that will be quite… unpleasant for your sister. And you, of course, if you intervene.”

The words hit me like ice. My mind raced, images of Elvira flashing before me, her laughing, confident, unaware of the trap I could feel tightening around her. Rage burned through me, hot and sharp. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to focus. Rage without control would make me reckless. I couldn’t afford that.

“You won’t touch her,” I said, voice low but unwavering. “Not if I have anything to do with it.”

She laughed again, softer this time, almost mocking. “You’re so predictable, Deric. Always the protector, always so… righteous. But tell me, how far will you go for your family? How much are you willing to sacrifice?”

The questions weren’t just words, they were knives, cutting into my confidence, forcing me to confront the parts of myself I hated admitting. I had spent years learning to control my anger, to measure my actions. But now, with Elvira at the center, those lessons were tested like never before.

I stepped closer, the smell of wet leaves and her perfume mingling in the air. My claws flexed unconsciously, tension radiating from every muscle. “I don’t have to answer questions from someone who’s already lost,” I said. “You’re done here. Leave now, or face me.”

She didn’t move. Instead, she raised her hands slightly, as if to taunt me. And then, faster than I expected, she lunged, a quick blur of movement that almost caught me off guard. My instincts took over, my body reacting before my mind could fully process. I sidestepped, grabbing her arm and twisting with controlled force, forcing her to the ground.

Her eyes flashed with fury, and she spat at me, venomous words tumbling out. “You think you can protect her from everything! You think you’re strong enough!”

For a moment, I froze. Her words weren’t entirely wrong. I wasn’t invincible. I couldn’t always shield her. The weight of that responsibility pressed down on me, heavier than any attack, sharper than any blade. But I couldn’t let it show. Not now. Not ever.

“You’re wrong,” I said, voice steady even as my heart raced. “I am strong enough. Because I have to be. And because I won’t let anyone—anyone—harm her.”

The fight continued, a blur of motion and sounds, of claws and teeth, of the sharp sting of magic brushing against my skin. Every strike I landed was measured, controlled, no room for error. Every dodge, every block, calculated. And through it all, my mind kept turning back to Elvira: her laugh, her warmth, her stubborn bravery. That thought alone fueled me, kept me precise and merciless.

Finally, I forced her to her knees, gripping her shoulders so tightly she gasped. Her eyes darted, calculating, and desperate. “You… you can’t kill me,” she said, her voice trembling just slightly.

I tightened my hold, forcing her to meet my gaze. “No. I’m not here to kill you. But I will stop you. I will end your plans. And I will make sure you never touch her again.”

For a heartbeat, I saw something in her eyes, fear, maybe respect, or perhaps understanding. She struggled, but my hold didn’t falter. And then, slowly, she slumped, realizing she had no path forward.

Breathing hard, I stepped back, keeping my claws ready, scanning the shadows for any other threat. None came. The forest was still, oppressive in its silence once more. I didn’t relax. I couldn’t. But I allowed myself a single thought: Elvira was safe. For now.

I sank to the ground, running a hand through my hair, trying to still the tremor in my chest. The fight had been physical, yes—but the emotional toll weighed far heavier. Protecting her was never just about strength. It was about patience, judgment, and restraint. About knowing when to fight and when to hold back. And I had walked that line today, teetering, but I hadn’t fallen.

My mind wandered to the future, to the endless possibilities of threats yet unseen. Felen’s reach was long, and her allies were patient. But I had something she didn’t: a bond with my sister that no magic, no manipulation, no threat could sever. That thought grounded me, gave me strength.

And in that moment, standing alone amidst the trees, every nerve humming with adrenaline and relief, I understood something essential: protection wasn’t just about strength or skill. It was about presence. About being there, fully, unwaveringly, when the world tried to take the people you loved.

And I would be there. Always.