Chapter 66 Impostor

Chapter 66 Impostor
A wet feeling of something dripping on my cheek awakened me. The tall but dark cave roof greeted me as soon as I opened my eyes, prompting me to get up. 

“Oh, you’re awake…” Kieran greeted me as I got up, my head pounding. “You’ve been out for an hour since I saw you.”

“How did you find me? That ravine was high up…”

He shrugged and began to put more firewood into the fire pit he made. “I found a path that safely led me to you. Then, I found this cave.” 

I groaned as I got up, my bones creaking from another injury. The fire crackled as Kieran threw a few more pieces of wood into it.  I walked towards the cave’s mouth, trying to look around the surroundings. 

“Be careful, you’re not exactly in the best shape,” Kieran reminded as he continued to sharpen the tip of another stick. “I’ll hunt later for our dinner. Best if you just rest for now.” 

I frowned. Hunt? We have enough food and water for the trial. Besides, Castiel made it clear to us earlier before we stepped into the island that nothing, not even the fruits or animals, except for the Goddess’ tree, could be trusted here. 

A strange, sinking feeling in my stomach began to form. I stepped out of the cave’s mouth, only to be met by the sight of thick foliage. I couldn’t sense Fluke, and Mother didn’t stir either. 

Something’s not right.

“Where are our things, Kieran? I remember bringing a med kit earlier,” I asked as I walked back to him. 

Kieran, calm as ever, shrugged. “Oh, I dropped it somewhere after we got separated. Don’t worry, I’m well-versed in the jungle more than you think.” 

“Alright, if you say so.” 

I stepped back, feeling the cold cave wall against my back.  In the dim light, I could clearly see Kieran’s features. His white hair, his red eyes…

But why does it feel as if I’m facing a stranger? 

I tried to invoke the Divine Link between us, to no avail.  Nothing lit between our wrists, and he didn’t seem to notice that I was calling to his wolf. 

This isn’t Kieran. 

I gulped, as it slowly dawned on me that I’m alone in this foreign and dangerous island with this… shapeshifter or whatever he was. Mother had given her a warning. 

My bag was nowhere to be found. And I was foolish enough not to secure my sword properly before I fell.  

Fucking shit, what now?

“Why are you standing there, frozen? Come here while the fire’s still warm.” 

I didn’t show hesitation and walked towards the bonfire, sitting across Kieran’s impostor. And through the fire, I could see clearly the glaring differences. They might be small enough to notice, like how his eyes were not as ruby-colored as Kieran’s, or how his hair was now cut short while Kieran’s came all the way past his shoulders, always tied in a messy half-ponytail.

He’s not Kieran. And whatever or whoever this creature might be, he must be trying to leave the island as well, just like Mother said. 

I shifted on my seat, as uncomfortable silence dawned on us. The impostor did not say anything at all. Instead, he continued to sharpen the tip of the stick he was holding. 

“Are you sure we can find something edible here in the island? Mother said that there’s a lot of danger lurking around…” 

He scoffed, annoyed. “What, don’t you trust me? Then what’s the point in making me your Vassal, Hestia?” 

“That’s not what I meant.” 

His face twisted into ugly rage. “No, you simply don’t trust me!”

“Calm down, will you? I’m just worried about you getting hurt or in danger! We have a trial to face, and I can’t have my Vassal wounded.” 

I watched as the impostor’s shoulders loosened up, fooled into thinking that I still didn’t notice the changes in him. He stood up, slinging a massive bow and arrow over his shoulder. 

“Stay here. I know you’re hungry, so I’ll hunt now.” He paused. “If you ever hear or see someone looking like me, don’t let them in. Especially if they’re carrying an axe.” 

“Then what should I do?” 

The impostor pulled a small pouch filled with a mixture of herbs and stones from his pocket and threw it on my lap. “Throw this on the impostor. They’ll change their appearance immediately.” 

As soon as he disappeared into the woods, I got up and threw the small pouch into the fire, not intending to use it. 

As a Lycan, it would be dumb for me not to recognize the plants hidden in it. While it did not affect me that much due to my divine magic, it would surely affect any normal Lycan.  

The creatures on this island knew what we were. And they definitely knew what we were after. 

“Kieran…” I whispered as I clutched my arm tight, forcing my magic to immediately heal my injuries. I stepped out of the cave and walked in the opposite direction, where I saw the impostor walk to. 

My feet hurried away, dried leaves crunching under my feet as I tried to call Kieran through the Divine Link over and over. 

I’m not aware of my surroundings, nor do I recognize the path I was on. After all, the island kept on shifting its land, confusing and keeping every intruder locked in. 

My feet came to a halt when I reached the edge of a lake. The crystal-green waters looked treacherous as it calmly stared back at me. 

Then, I heard it. The delayed sound of footsteps. And that malice-filled stare that made the hairs on my neck stand up. 

“Didn’t I tell you to stay in the cave while I hunt for food, Hestia?” 

I slowly turned to face him, only to see that his arrow was now pointed at me. Whatever spell the impostor used on himself had slowly started to unravel, revealing to me a faint image of a half-octopus, half-human creature, just like the siren that attacked me the other night. 

“You’re not Kieran,” I softly said, my hands still trembling. 

The impostor scoffed. “Took you long enough, you filthy Lycan.” 

The bow cried as he aimed right at my heart. I raised my hand, divine magic surging through my fingertips as I prepared to block his attack, when…

“Hestia!”