Delanzhou: Wolf Blood and Moon Shadow

The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting long shadows over the rolling hills as William and Alice made their way southward. The forest that surrounded them was dense but alive with the sounds of twilight—chirping crickets, the distant hoot of an owl, and the soft rustling of leaves in the evening breeze. It was a peaceful contrast to the storm of thoughts swirling in William's mind.

They had escaped the immediate danger, but William knew better than to assume they were safe. The remnants of the dark curse still lingered in Alice's blood, an unseen tether connecting her to forces that would surely pursue them.

Alice, walking beside him, broke the silence. "You've been quiet," she said, her tone casual but tinged with curiosity.

William glanced at her, his expression softening. "Just thinking."

She gave him a sidelong look. "That's not like you. Usually, you're full of ideas—or complaints."

A wry smile tugged at his lips. "Maybe I'm evolving."

Alice chuckled lightly, though her mirth quickly faded. "You're worried about them coming after us, aren't you?"

He nodded. "The dark magicians won't stop. Whatever they were doing in the Greywood, your connection to it might make you a target. And the curse… even weakened, it's still there."

Her silver eyes darkened. "You think I'm a liability."

William stopped walking, his hand reaching out to gently grasp her arm. "No," he said firmly. "You're the reason I'm doing this. But I need you to understand how dangerous this is. If they come for us again, it won't just be to finish what they started. They'll use you—your strength, your lineage—to fuel their magic."

Alice sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Then we don't let them catch us. We keep moving, find somewhere to regroup. Or…" She hesitated, her gaze shifting to the ground.

"Or what?" William pressed.

She met his eyes, her expression resolute. "Or we stop running and face them head-on."

Two days later, they found themselves at the edge of a bustling caravan camp nestled in a valley. Traders, mercenaries, and travelers of all kinds moved about the makeshift marketplace, their voices a cacophony of haggling and greetings. The camp was vibrant, but there was an undercurrent of tension—a wariness that William recognized instantly.

"Keep your guard up," he muttered to Alice as they stepped into the throng. "Places like this attract more than just merchants."

Alice smirked. "Good thing we're more than just travelers."

They wove through the crowd, scanning the stalls for supplies. William bartered for dried meat and bread, while Alice examined a collection of herbs and potions laid out by a hooded vendor.

"Looking for something specific?" the vendor asked, his voice low and gravelly.

Alice glanced at William, then back at the vendor. "Something to help with… lingering effects of dark magic."

The vendor's eyes narrowed, and he leaned in closer. "Dark magic, you say? That's dangerous talk around here."

"Then it's a good thing you're not afraid of danger," Alice replied smoothly, her tone sharp.

The vendor chuckled, though there was no humor in it. He reached beneath his stall and produced a small vial filled with a faintly glowing liquid. "This might help ease the symptoms. But curing it? That's another story."

Alice took the vial, inspecting it carefully. "How much?"

"Twenty silver," the vendor said, his smile thin.

Before Alice could respond, William stepped forward, his presence looming. "Ten."

The vendor's smile faltered. "Fifteen."

"Ten," William repeated, his voice low and firm.

The vendor hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. "Fine. Ten."

As they walked away from the stall, Alice glanced at William. "You didn't have to intimidate him."

He shrugged. "You're welcome."

That night, they set up camp on the outskirts of the caravan, far enough to avoid the noise but close enough to sense if trouble was brewing. Alice sat by the fire, carefully measuring drops of the potion into a cup of water.

"Are you sure about that stuff?" William asked, watching her closely.

"No," she admitted. "But if it helps even a little, it's worth it."

As she drank the mixture, William kept his eyes on the darkness beyond their firelight. His instincts prickled, a familiar feeling of being watched creeping over him.

"Something's not right," he said quietly, his hand drifting toward the hilt of his sword.

Alice set the cup down, her expression tense. "What is it?"

Before he could answer, a figure stepped into the firelight—a woman cloaked in black, her face obscured by a veil. She moved with an unnatural grace, her presence sending a chill down William's spine.

"It's been a long time, William," the woman said, her voice smooth and cold.

He rose to his feet, his hand tightening on his sword. "Who are you?"

The woman laughed softly. "You don't remember me? I'm hurt. But then, you've crossed paths with so many of us, haven't you?"

Alice stood, her dagger in hand. "What do you want?"

The woman tilted her head, her gaze shifting to Alice. "You, of course. Or rather, what's inside you. The curse you carry is more valuable than you realize."

"You're not getting her," William said, stepping in front of Alice.

The woman's laughter grew louder, echoing unnaturally. "Oh, William. Always so protective. But you can't protect her from this. The curse will consume her—unless we take it first."

Dark tendrils of magic began to swirl around the woman, their energy crackling with malevolence.

"Run," William said to Alice, drawing his sword.

"I'm not leaving you," she replied, her voice steady.

The woman's smile widened. "How touching. Let's see how long that loyalty lasts."

The woman attacked, her dark magic lashing out like living shadows. William dodged the first strike, his sword glowing faintly as he channeled his energy into it. He struck back, his blade cutting through the tendrils with precision.

Alice moved swiftly, her dagger flashing as she deflected a second attack. She fought with a ferocity that matched William's, her movements fluid and precise.

"You're stronger than I expected," the woman said, her voice tinged with amusement. "But strength won't save you."

The shadows intensified, enveloping the clearing in darkness. William gritted his teeth, his focus sharpening as he fought to keep the woman at bay. He could feel the curse reacting to the magic around them, its presence in Alice growing stronger.

"Alice, stay close!" he shouted.

She nodded, her silver eyes blazing with determination. Together, they pushed back against the darkness, their movements synchronized as they fought to survive.

But the woman's power was overwhelming. Her attacks grew faster, more precise, until William and Alice were forced to retreat.

"This isn't over," the woman said, her figure dissolving into shadows. "You can't run forever."

As the darkness faded, William turned to Alice, his expression grim.

"They know where we are now," he said. "We can't stay here."

Alice nodded, her jaw tight. "Then we keep moving. And when they come for us again, we'll be ready."