Chapter 123

Battle of Aftermoon

Joaquim Brown, Felix Fire, and the soldiers.

Joaquim, who was hidden, couldn't stand hearing everyone fighting while he waited. The Lord wasn't a coward, the war was his, and he should have been the one leading. Felix saw the human entering the midst of the fight and followed him, he had to protect the man.

While Joaquim fought with the soldiers in front of him, he remembered all the things his brother had done: the threats to his wife, the teasing, and the attack on his castle. He wouldn't let his brother go unpunished.

As for his father, he couldn't understand why he was on Helton's side. Sirio always seemed to prefer his eldest son. This broke Joaquim's heart; he wanted to ask his father why he didn't like him.

Joaquim let the hatred guide him, and along the way, despite the wound on his arm, he took down and finished off all who dared to oppose him. Felix was right behind, defending his rear, attacking the soldiers and mercenaries using his sharp claws, fists, and legs; the werewolf was stronger than usual.

They ascended the stairs, and the werewolves stood guard. They were going to attack the heart of the problem directly; everything would be resolved there. They headed towards where the throne was; he was certain his brother would be there, holding onto it like a dog with its bone.

Felix, Tomas, and João were close to the Lord, checking everything around them; they felt there were more soldiers ahead.

When Joaquim finished climbing the last step, Felix quickly pulled him back; an arrow flew in his direction, narrowly missing him. Everyone hid on the staircase, avoiding being in the archer's sight.

"Damn!"

Joaquim exclaimed anxiously; for a split second, he would have been hit if it hadn't been for Felix and his acute hearing.

"Thank you."

Joaquim gasped while hiding.

"Cursed... and now... we need to pass through that door; I'm sure my brother is there."

Joaquim was cornered, as were the werewolves; they could only advance, but now, with arrows coming their way, it was too risky.

One of the werewolves walked closer to the youngsters; it was the old wolf from earlier, the oldest werewolf present. He removed his cloak and shirt, throwing them on the ground.

"Sir?"

Joaquim asked, confused, not understanding why.

"It's time to show the pups how to fight in a real war…”

The old man almost stripped, and everyone saw the scars and marks on his body; the wolf had participated in many battles.

"Sir... I can't allow you to go; they have Onix, probably the arrowheads are poisoned..."

Felix stood in front of the old man, trying to stop him, but the old man pushed him aside, not respecting him.

"Get out of the way, pup! The only Alpha who gives me orders is Diego! If you manage to return with the victory as I told you earlier, I'll have the honor to recognize you. But for now, let me do my job."

The old man continued.

"And don't worry... it's not the first time I've fought cowards using a woman's weapon... cheap poison... as I said earlier, I know death very well, and right now, she must be knitting... there's nothing to fear, just do what you came to do."

He said with a smile on his face, instilling confidence in everyone, and then his body began to change; his muscles increased, and he became larger and stronger. He was right to remove his clothes; otherwise, he would return naked when it was all over.

The place was narrow, but he just wanted to make a wall with his body so that everyone could advance; it would be perfect.

The old man transformed into a ferocious giant wolf, howling loudly, making Joaquim cover his ears; it was loud and almost deafening, and the same happened to the soldiers.

The wolf leaped forward, and arrows flew toward him, hitting him, but the wolf did not cry. He remained firm, growling, attacking everyone, especially the archers.

Felix felt bad about letting the old man advance, but it was the only way. He proceeded, entering the throne room where Helton was seated, gazing at the door.

"Welcome, brother... came to visit me?"

Helton spoke calmly, but Felix felt his heart tremble; he didn't expect them to arrive there. Outside, his guards and soldiers shouted.

"Surrender... it's over!"

Joaquim approached, raising his sword toward Helton, while Felix and the others stayed close to the lookout door.

Helton stood up and took a few steps back, placing his sword on the ground.

"I surrender..."

Helton said with arms open, staring firmly at his brother.

Felix found it too strange; he wouldn't surrender that easily.

The wolf slowly approached, trying to hear what was happening. There was someone else in the room; the person's heart was beating strongly, but where? Was it a trap? Felix focused and managed to locate the person, hidden among the curtains of the huge window.

The other wolves there noticed the same as Felix, but it was too late for Joaquim; the human wasn't aware.

The sound of an arrow slicing through the air echoed through the room, while Felix, Tomas, and João ran toward the humans.

Joaquim turned his gaze, seeing the man attempting to assassinate him—his father, Lord Sirio, holding a crossbow, aiming at his son. Joaquim was hit in the thigh, and as he fell, his brother grabbed the sword and rushed to strike.

Joaquim was stunned, time seemed to slow down as he watched his father and brother attempt to take his life. He was certain his father had never loved him; there was no need to ask anything, everything had been revealed through that action.

Felix ran with his supernatural werewolf speed, adrenaline rushing, blood boiling. He wouldn't allow such a thing to happen. He gritted his teeth, arriving before his brother-in-law could be struck by Helton. His companions were close behind, and with his sword, he severed Helton's arm, causing him to scream and fall to the ground.

Tomas went to Lord Sirio, who was reloading the crossbow to finish off his son. Without hesitation, Tomas decapitated the old lord; his head flew off, landing on the ground, painting the wall behind in red.

Joaquim stood frozen with wide eyes; panic had momentarily overtaken him. His brother screamed in the back of the room for mercy, surrendering, but Felix didn't want hostages. All he wanted was to end it all quickly.

"Remove your cloak and hand over the crown."

Felix said sternly, and Helton handed him the blood-stained cloak, the symbol of a Lord's reign.

As soon as the wolf took them, he used his hands and claws to rip the man's throat. He raised the Lord's head a little with his hands, looking at him angrily, watching the human die quickly, agonizing right in front of him... After Helton had passed away, he released the man, feeling his blood run down his arms. In his other hand, he tightly held the cloak and crown, walking over to Joaquim, who was lying there.

Felix headed towards Joaquim, placing the crown on his head. The wolf's hand was red and dripping. The cape was thrown over the new Lord's back, and everyone there celebrated, shouting and raising their hands.

"We need to stop Joaquim's wound and see how the others are doing. Kill anyone who refuses to surrender!"

Felix shouted, giving the final order. His allies went out shouting, finishing what they had started.

"Let's go back to the castle... Zebeu will fix this wound."

Said the wolf, helping the man to stand up. The arrow was still lodged in his leg. Before they left, Joaquim took one last look back. It was a farewell, looking at the lifeless bodies of his brother and father on the ground.

On the way back, they saw the old wolf Arantes on the ground. He was done for, but still conscious. He spoke incoherently due to the drug, delirious as his blood trickled. The wolves bandaged him up and prepared to take him back to Brown Castle. He would be fine; Arantes had managed to fight his last battle, and now he would retire upon returning home.

"I told you! My death is in Wisdy... waiting for me! My beloved and irritating wife..."

He yelled, dizzy, his eyes already sunken due to blood loss.

They left and freed Dirce's family, who ran to her, embracing her. Now Joaquim would reign, and everything would change in Aftermoon.

The mercenaries who surrendered would be sent back to their homeland; the others who refused to cooperate were executed. Now, all that remained was an audience with King Isau for the coronation to take place.

The king didn't care if the son killed the father; all he wanted was for the Lord to do his job properly, regardless of who it was. Joaquim knew he would be accepted without problems; everything had been done in self-defense in the end.