The Gate of Shadows

Chapter 89: Mercy

"What are you doing here?!" Amelia screamed from the side, dragging my gaze onto her.

She was lively, as always, but with the same hostility she always bore toward me. Even though I didn't particularly love her, she was Fenris's sister, and he cared for her. On her side was an injured Ben, whose eyes were wide open upon noticing me, and his mechanical hand was busted.

He probably tried to stop one of the mad Lycans, only to be attacked. Even though they weren't happy to see me, I was glad to see them alive—especially Ben, the gentle older brother who allowed me into his family.

A wall of wolves protected them from incoming dangers. However, behind the two siblings was who I wanted to see the most alive: Fenris, who Layla was tending. He had a facial injury near his right eye that slowly healed.

Ah... Another Lycan must've hurt you for it to affect you still.

Even though Liam's restored quickly, they were more superficial, thanks to his thick fur. Whatever happened to Fenris was when he was in his humanoid form and when he least suspected it.

From everything I could gather, Owen was probably the culprit of his assault. The way Ezra held his blond friend while laying on him with his weight alerted me that his friend went mad, just like the others.

Surely... It's from that variant Stella mentioned wanting to make.

Blood was visible on Owen's fingertips, solidifying my suspicions.

Ah... I'm sorry, I don't think I can save you.

"Lilith?!" Fenris called out, noticing my presence thanks to his sister's announcement.

Standing up from where he was, he took two steps towards me. Relief washed over me to see him up and still sane. Even so, the dark circles under his eyes alerted me that our late night lingered on him. That alone made me want to run to him.

"Fen—" before I could even call out to him, Owen, who elbowed Ezra, launched at me.

In an instant, Shade met with his aggression, slamming him back to the ground and changing forms quicker than I had ever seen her do. Unlike Liam, Melody, and Fenris, Shade didn't know Owen well enough to care for his safety, placing pressure on his limbs to the point bones were starting to crunch.

Instinctively, I reached for her, "Stop!" wrenching my eyes away from Fenris before running towards her.

I never meant what I said before with Tobias. The innocent don't deserve to die, Shade!

However, that state of mind would transform into something else when someone stepped from the shadows on the forest's edge.

"You... why do you help your oppressors?" A corpse shouted.

How kind of you to announce that I'm not with you.

All eyes were on me again, yet I refused to acknowledge whoever they were. Instead, I crouched down to Owen, whose eyes were bloodshot, and his eyes had a purple hue coming from them. Ezra reached for me, not knowing what to expect, but his sudden approach caused Shade to flick him away with her tail as a warning to stay away from me.

Touching Owen's face, I traced down his cheek, only for him to snap at me with his teeth, unable to form words. It triggered Shade to hold on to him tighter.

Ah... All the signs of wolfbane poisoning and that purple hue in his pupils are present. That's new...

Sadly, there was no cure for this deadly affliction.

Oh... Owen... No one deserves this. There's a reason every race helped that plant go extinct. It's inhumane. It's supposed to be gone! Yet...

I felt hollow inside, knowing this man's fate was sealed to an agonizing death.