Chapter 119

Battle of Aftermoon

Joaquim Brown and Felix Fire

Joaquim, Feix, and the recruits slowly entered through the door; the wolf didn't know in detail what the plan would be, but he was confidently following every step of the Lord.

As they walked a few meters, Tomas, who had always been very suspicious, quietly called Felix; he found it strange that the place had so little security. After all, just a few days ago Helton had retreated from Joaquim's castle. They expected to find the place full of soldiers; it was odd.

"Felix... I don't feel any human presence nearby... They would never leave the place open like this, without soldiers. I think something's wrong."

Tomas said, and Fabrício immediately agreed, placing his hand on Felix's arm. Felix looked at both of them and nodded only with his gaze.

Indeed, it was strange, without any human movement, footsteps, their scent not circulating. Felix thought it could be a trap. He took a deep breath and continued walking behind Joaquim, alert.

"There's something wrong here, brother."

Tomas persisted.

Felix remained attentive to any sound he might hear or scent he might catch but continued following Joaquim. He noticed the human was slowing down his pace.

"I know. All of you, stay alert; we might be caught off guard."

Joaquim said.

As Joaquim advanced, he realized that Dirce wasn't there. Suspicious, he decided to stop for a moment and check.

"My servant was supposed to be here..."

He turned around and looked at Felix. Joaquim was confused; he didn't know why Dirce wasn't there. He thought of many things that could have happened. His face showed concern; he ran his hands through his hair and squinted. Meanwhile, the wolf closed his eyes, concentrating. He sensed someone approaching down the corridor; the human's heart was pounding hard. The person seemed to know something; they were scared... He could smell human blood... Were they injured??

Felix and the other wolves positioned themselves as they sensed the presence. Joaquim didn't understand the reason; he didn't feel the person approaching a the wolves did, but he mimicked them, waiting for the next move.

"Someone's coming. Stay alert."

Felix said, with a serious expression, looking ahead, ready for combat alongside the others. Joaquim stood in front, waiting for the person to appear.

As the person approached, Joaquim finally heard the footsteps. He gripped his sword tightly, waiting for the moment to strike.

The person turned the corner, frightened, and almost screamed upon seeing all those men there.

"Dirce?!"

Joaquim shouted seconds before hitting her with his sword. The woman was terrified, trembling. He lowered his sword, looking at her, astonished.

"Sir... you almost scared me to death!"

She said, somewhat shrunk, wearing a huge cloak that covered her almost completely. She seemed frightened by something, hiding close to the wall. Joaquim noticed she had lost weight; he saw scars on the woman's hands. He became concerned about her. What had really happened to her?

"Dirce?! Turn to me..."

Joaquim said, sheathing his sword, starting to grasp what was happening there.

Felix sensed the smell of blood growing stronger, an intense scent. The others were still bothered, making faces, but Felix had grown accustomed to humans. She was wounded, and it seemed serious. The wolf looked at Joaquim as if reading the man's mind.

"Sir... we need to go... The... The soldiers will arrive soon..."

Dirce tried to change the subject as she turned to walk. Her voice was tearful, hiding her face with the hood. She seemed strange, something Joaquim could feel.

Felix didn't sense anyone else there besides her. Where did the woman want to take them? He found her behavior strange, raising an eyebrow and looking at his friends, who already understood his thoughts. He returned his gaze to the woman and Joaquim.

The Lord walked up to the woman, grabbing her arm, becoming panicked as he saw her state. He saw her wounded and scarred arms. Removing her hood, he was shocked at the sight up close.

The woman's face was swollen and bruised, someone had beaten her, just like her arms, full of scars from cuts and burns.

"Dirce... what have they done..."

Joaquim spoke, stepping back. What he feared had happened; the woman was suffering for helping him.

"I'm sorry, sir, please... it wasn't me... the letters you sent to me were confiscated by Helton, who replied to them. He threatened to kill my family; they're hostages in prison. I had to help you... I didn't want to, but I did it because of the threat, Sir, forgive me. I will never forgive myself if you don't give me a chance, my Lord."

The woman cried, shattered, continuing while everyone listened, anger growing in their hearts.

"A few days ago, when he returned from the siege on your castle with the soldiers... he threw me into the dungeon, accusing me of hiding the letters about reinforcements that arrived... I explained to him that I hadn't received any letter about those reinforcements, but he wouldn't listen to me. I was imprisoned for days, and he only released me to bring you to the castle courtyard..."

Felix growled with hatred. He didn't know his surprise arrival would bring so much pain to an innocent human. Their eyes were narrowed, clenching their fists tightly, wanting to end these treacherous humans. His friends did the same. Helton was the real monster there and needed to pay.

Dirce had been made a hostage and tortured all that time... The wolf couldn't have known that. Anyway, he had to have acted when he arrived at the castle; otherwise, Lucinda would have already been kidnapped. Unfortunately, he couldn't save everyone.

Joaquim was furious, as were all the recruits there. At that moment, they all knew it was a trap, but it didn't matter anymore to them... they would kill everyone. No man who did that to a woman deserved to live.

"Please... come back as soon as possible... they're waiting for you... they will attack and kill you. I would never forgive myself if something like that happened. It's my fault for being so weak... Forgive me."

The woman was inconsolable; her family was imprisoned, and she didn't know what would happen next. She just wanted everything to go back to normal.

"Don't worry, Dirce. I forgive you. It's not your fault, but my brother's. I don't understand how he can be like this, selfish, evil, and insane... We'll free your family... just hide for now. We'll return once everything is settled. Okay?"

Joaquim spoke seriously, his eyes filled with hatred. He wanted to kill everyone there, trying to ease the tense atmosphere. Joaquim smiled at Dirce, trying to reassure her; that he needed to keep everything under control.

"Promise you'll come back, please... if you lose this battle... he'll kill everyone in my family."

The woman knelt, pleading. She was tired of it all; her body couldn't endure going through the tortures again, especially if they found out she had told everything. It would be her end. She was exhausted; she wanted all that pain to go away, for the war to end. Tears streamed down her face.

Joaquim approached the woman, helping her stand, embracing her, comforting her, and making a promise.

"I promise... we'll win and set them free."

Joaquim reassured her.

Felix and the others were ready to attack. Dirce lowered her head as she walked, looking for a room to hide in. She prayed softly while crying desolately.

Joaquim didn't understand how his brother could do this, all because he coveted Lucinda. He was envious because Joaquim was becoming a father and he wasn't. Joaquim couldn't believe his brother could stoop so low; their father didn't do anything to stop it. Joaquim didn't even recognize them anymore... they didn't seem to be from the same family...

He then stopped thinking for a moment and said to the others, smiling slightly...

"Are you ready to face death?"

Joaquim asked with a smile on his face, trying to encourage the recruits, who chuckled.

"I know her, and I sleep with her every night at home."

The older wolf said, smiling. His name was Arantes. He referred to his wife, known for her arrogant and aggressive temperament. Those who knew her burst into laughter.

"Wow, I don't know how you manage, my friend. I believe this battle will be easier than being alone with her."

Said his friend Greyn. Arantes tapped his friend's arm, saying...

"Your wife isn't one of the best either... Don't just laugh at me."

The others laughed at the conversation, and the two friends didn't mind the jest. They just enjoyed laughing a bit before the battle began. Fabrício and Tomas joined in with a huge smile on their faces.

"Thank goodness we're not married..."

The two winked at the others who were married. Only those two didn't have wives.

The others laughed even more, and even Felix joined in. Joaquim looked at everyone and said, leaning closer to the wolf.

"Contrary to your friends' wives, our women are angels. Due to their beauty, character, and strong personality, they are decisive, supportive, and loving. Let's finish this and return to our beloved ones..."

Felix placed his hand on the human's arm, agreeing...

"You said it all, my friend... Let's wrap this up soon."

Joaquim smiled at Felix.

"Let's return victorious."