The Risen HODWII

Chapter 54 : Morounes Cave

"Would you like to have a coffee inside?" the woman said. I guess she is Divina Tarre, the queen of the Dark World. "I want to have a little chat with you since my husband is on a business trip." I looked up to see her smiling sheepishly.

My body aches from the fights I had. Their soldiers are incredibly strong! I feel exhausted, but I have to see Claire.

I shook my head. "I'm sorry, ma'am. I-I'm here to see Claire. Please... let me see her... let me talk to her," I pleaded.

"You mean my daughter, Venice?" she clarified, and I felt confused for a moment.

"Venice..." I whispered more to myself.

"Oh, it seems like you don't know her full name," Carlo said sarcastically. I knew him; his face is known all over the underground.

"We call her Venice. Her second name is Claire, so it seems like the people outside call her Claire." She nodded in understanding.

I see... Venice Claire. A beautiful name, suited for an angel like her.

"Pfft! Hahaha!" I suddenly looked toward the laugh to see Carlo laughing nonchalantly, and Mrs. Tarre wore a smile. "Did you just say angel!? Dude! You better check your mind; I think it's not fully intact." He said, laughing.

Did I say that out loud? Damn!

"Enough, Carlo!" Mrs. Tarre yelled, and Carlo stiffened, turning silent. "Young man, why do you want to see my child?" she asked softly.

"I... I need to see her, ma'am... I love her. I want her back. I... can't live without her," I confessed, not caring about the consequences.

All I need is Claire... her presence. "Why do you love her?" Carlo suddenly asked, looking serious.

"I can't explain my love for Claire, but... she's my world, and I'm nothing without her," I said, looking at him and then turning to Mrs. Tarre. "Please, at least let me... see her," I pleaded again, feeling my eyes growing watery.

"I could... if she were here," she said sadly, and I could see the pity in her eyes.

But a sense of dread and worry overtook me. "W-what do you m-mean?"

"Venice hasn't come home for several weeks. I'm afraid I can't help you, young man. I was also confused, but the moment I saw you, I knew why." She looked worried. "I'm afraid of what she might do in the wilderness."

"Mom, don't worry. She lived there; she'll survive," Carlo reassured her.

"Wilderness...? Do you know where she might be?" I asked, hoping.

"We don't know. Venice never tells us her whereabouts," Carlo said.

"I see..." I looked down in defeat and started to walk away.

Where on earth could I find her?

"Wait!" I heard Mrs. Tarre call. I turned to her, waiting for her to continue. "Since you got here alive, I saw the determination you have to see my daughter. I am a mother, and my intuition is better than anyone else's."

Hearing those words gave me a glimmer of hope.

"Please tell me, ma'am. I'll go find her, no matter where she is," I said with full determination.

"This might be hard to believe... but I think she's with her friends," she said.

Friends?

'By the way, when I was thirteen, I made friends for the first time.'

"She mentioned her friends once, but... I don't know who they are..." I said more to myself, then looked up at Mrs. Tarre. "Where could I find them?"

"In the Morounes Forest." I froze when I heard those words.

Her friends... could it be? Oh damn!

I nodded to them and ran toward the car, struggling to keep my balance. I got inside and drove off.

'It is the only person who got out of the Morounes Cave alive... it's absolutely a monster!'

'I made friends for the first time!'

Now, every news about her is making sense, she's not a monster... but a soft little child who tamed the wolves and made them friends instead of enemies.

'Breaking news, the Silencer once again killed a group of men known as blacklist kidnappers.'

She wasn't made to kill but to save the weak. She's a hero... my savior... my angel.

Oh, Claire, what the hell have I done?

Accelerating, I was determined. I will get her back no matter what, even if it means facing death on this journey.

Claire has experienced the worst of the world; she was denied all kindness. She never experienced happiness, only pure evil. And I... I denied her my love. I was a fool for believing her lies, but... once I see her, I will pour out all my feelings. I will love her for the rest of my life.

The Morounes Cave is known as the haven of the most dangerous creatures, and the Morounes Forest is their territory. No one dared set foot there after the news that the Silencer got out alive. The wolves have become even more dangerous.

After hours of driving, I reached the Morounes Forest. I parked the car and got out. It was dark, probably the middle of the night, but the moonlight illuminated the place. I used my phone's flashlight to light my way.

Just as I was about to take another step, I heard the howling of wolves, and it freaked me out!

I've never been to this place before, and this is the first time. Where could I find the cave? Claire must be there.

This forest is massive, and if I'm not careful, I could get lost. Worse, there might be hungry wolves waiting to eat me. I could hear some of them howling again.

After searching for an hour, I found no trace of her. I had no other choice. "Claire!" I yelled, calling her name, hoping she could hear me. This might be suicide, but it doesn't matter anymore... my life already revolves around Claire... all I think about is her.