BLOOD AND MOONLIGHT

Chapter 24: The Cost of War

The forest was eerily quiet, shrouded in a thick blanket of fog that clung to the ground like a specter. The moon, hidden behind a veil of clouds, cast a dim, ghostly light over the battlefield. Evelyn moved swiftly through the chaos, her eyes scanning the ground for any sign of Luka. All around her, the remnants of the battle lay strewn across the earth—broken weapons, torn clothing, and the unmoving forms of those who had fallen.

“Luka!” Evelyn called out, her voice breaking the silence. Her heart pounded in her chest as she pushed past fallen branches and the bodies of the defeated rogues. The attack had been swift and brutal, catching their camp off guard. Evelyn’s mind raced with images of the chaos: the snarling rogues, the clash of weapons, and the desperate struggle to survive.

Raine appeared from the mist, limping slightly but still upright. Her face was smeared with dirt, and her clothes were torn, but she carried a determined expression. “Evelyn, have you seen him?”

Evelyn shook her head, fear tightening her throat. “No. He was right behind me when we got separated.” Her voice wavered with a mixture of frustration and worry. She couldn’t bear the thought of Luka lying somewhere, hurt or worse.

They continued searching, moving through the thick underbrush and over the uneven terrain. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and the lingering traces of battle. Evelyn’s breath came in ragged gasps, her muscles aching as she pushed herself forward. She refused to believe that Luka was gone, not after everything they had fought for.

A low growl echoed from the shadows, and Evelyn spun around, her blade at the ready. A rogue wolf emerged, its eyes glowing faintly in the darkness. It prowled closer, its movements slow and deliberate. Raine stepped forward, dagger in hand, and the two of them stood back-to-back, ready to defend themselves.

The rogue lunged, teeth bared, but Evelyn was quicker. She dodged to the side, her blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. The wolf snarled, snapping at her, but she kept her movements fluid and controlled. Raine struck from the opposite side, her dagger flashing as she landed a solid hit on the rogue’s flank. The wolf yelped, retreating into the shadows, and Evelyn’s breath hitched as the adrenaline coursed through her veins.

They didn’t have time to dwell on the fight. Evelyn and Raine pressed on, urgency driving them forward. They were losing daylight, and every second counted. At last, they found him.

Luka was slumped against a tree, his clothes torn and stained with mud. His chest rose and fell shallowly, his face pale and streaked with grime. Evelyn’s heart twisted painfully at the sight of him, and she rushed to his side. She crouched beside him, her hands hovering uncertainly over his wounds, unsure of where to start.

“Luka, can you hear me?” Evelyn asked, her voice trembling. Luka’s eyes fluttered open, and he managed a weak, pained smile. Evelyn let out a shaky breath, relief mingling with the fear that still gripped her.

“Hey,” Luka rasped, his voice barely above a whisper. He winced as he shifted slightly, trying to sit up. Raine quickly moved to help, supporting him as he adjusted himself against the tree.

“You scared the hell out of us,” Raine said, her tone light but edged with worry. “We thought you might have gone and gotten yourself killed.”

Luka chuckled weakly, though the sound was strained. “It’s going to take more than a few rogues to get rid of me,” he joked, though the effort left him breathless.

Evelyn examined his wounds, her hands steady despite the panic that churned in her stomach. “You’re hurt, but we can fix this,” she said, trying to keep her voice calm. She tore a piece of fabric from her sleeve, using it to apply pressure to the deepest gash on Luka’s side. He hissed in pain but didn’t protest.

“I’m sorry,” Luka murmured, his eyes closing briefly. “I should have stayed closer.”

“Don’t apologize,” Evelyn replied firmly. “We’re all still here, and that’s what matters.” She glanced at Raine, who nodded in agreement. They had all made mistakes tonight, but blame wasn’t going to help them now.

They worked quickly, tending to Luka’s wounds as best as they could with what little they had. Evelyn’s mind raced with everything that needed to be done—the rogues were still out there, and they couldn’t afford to stay exposed for long. But for a moment, all she could focus on was Luka’s labored breathing and the faint warmth of his hand gripping hers.

“You’re going to be okay,” Evelyn said, squeezing Luka’s hand reassuringly. He gave her a small nod, though his eyes were distant, filled with pain and exhaustion. Evelyn bit her lip, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill. She had to stay strong, for Luka’s sake.

Raine kept watch, her gaze scanning the darkened forest. The rogues had retreated for now, but Evelyn knew they couldn’t let their guard down. They were still in danger, and Luka’s injuries had left him vulnerable. They needed to find shelter, regroup, and figure out their next move.

“Let’s get him out of here,” Raine said quietly, her voice cutting through the tense silence. Evelyn nodded, helping Luka to his feet. He leaned heavily on her, his steps unsteady, but Evelyn held him up, determined not to let him fall.

As they moved through the forest, Evelyn kept her eyes forward, her mind focused on getting them to safety. The night was still dangerous, and they were far from out of the woods, but Evelyn felt a flicker of hope as she glanced at Luka. They had survived this far, and as long as they were together, she believed they could make it through whatever came next.

They pressed on, the forest gradually giving way to familiar territory. The journey was slow and grueling, but Evelyn’s resolve didn’t waver. She glanced at Luka, his breathing still labored but steady, and felt a renewed sense of determination. They had lost so much already, but Evelyn wasn’t about to lose Luka. Not now, not ever.

As the first light of dawn began to break through the trees, Evelyn tightened her grip on Luka’s hand, a silent promise that they would see this fight through to the end. They would honor the memory of those they had lost and make sure that their sacrifices weren’t in vain. And as long as they had each other, Evelyn knew they could face whatever challenges lay ahead.