Chapter Thirteen - Asher
The courtyard was quiet now, save for the distant hum of the wind moving through the trees and the soft clink of swords as Dante and I stood, reflecting on the weight of our task. The air was thick with the scent of fresh earth and blooming flowers from the royal gardens nearby, but I barely noticed it. My mind was consumed by the thought of the Moonlight Dragon, hiding in plain sight, blending into our lives without us even realizing it. Every breath I took felt heavy with the knowledge of how deeply this creature had likely infiltrated our world.
The clashing of steel that had filled the courtyard just moments ago had dissipated, leaving behind an almost eerie stillness that contrasted sharply with the turmoil brewing in my thoughts. I wiped the sweat from my brow, the fabric of my sleeve damp with the effort. The courtyard around me, once a place of training and sparring, now felt different—more foreboding. The trees that lined the walls of the courtyard seemed taller, darker, their branches shifting ominously in the wind as if they, too, were hiding secrets. The gardens beyond the stone walls were bathed in the fading light of the setting sun, casting an ethereal golden glow on the flowers. Normally, I would've admired the sight, perhaps found some peace in it. But now, knowing what we knew, the beauty of the palace grounds only deepened the dread that gnawed at the back of my mind.
I felt a chill, not from the cooling evening air, but from the weight of the uncertainty that clung to us. This wasn't just a simple hunt anymore. It wasn't a battle we could charge into with swords raised, prepared for a clean fight. This was different. The Moonlight Dragon had outwitted us, deceived us, and now it was somewhere among us—hidden, watching. The thought of it made my skin crawl.
Dante, standing beside me, was silent, his sword now sheathed with a deliberate, slow motion, the sound of metal meeting leather a harsh reminder of the gravity of the situation. His posture was tense, his normally carefree nature stripped away, leaving behind a seriousness that mirrored my own. His dark hair clung to his forehead from the exertion of our training, and I could see the glint of determination in his eyes as he stared out toward the gardens. Despite our closeness, neither of us had spoken for several long moments, both lost in our own thoughts.
"You're distracted again, Ash," Dante finally broke the silence, his voice steady but tinged with concern. He glanced at me from the corner of his eye, his brow furrowed. "It's the dragon, isn't it? Still thinking about how it could be anyone around us?"
I nodded, though the truth was, my mind wasn't just on the dragon—it was on the enormity of what we faced. How did one hunt a creature that could become anything, anyone? My gaze drifted over the courtyard, to the shadows that had begun to creep across the stone paths, swallowing the last of the day's light. I didn't like the way the darkness seemed to grow faster, as if the night itself was in on the dragon's secret.
"How can I not think about it?" I replied, my voice low, barely louder than a whisper. "Knowing that it can disguise itself as one of us, that it could be walking through these halls, makes it impossible to let our guard down. We've been chasing after it in the wild, imagining it as a distant threat. But now... it feels too close. Closer than we ever thought possible."
Dante let out a sigh, rubbing the back of his neck, his shoulders sagging slightly as he leaned against the stone wall. He was trying to be calm, but I could see the same unease flickering in his eyes. The tension between us was palpable—two warriors who had faced countless dangers, yet here we stood, unsettled by an enemy we couldn't see. An enemy that could be anyone.
"It's hard not to let your mind go there," Dante admitted, his voice quieter now. "It's hard not to look at everyone around us and wonder. The servants, the guards... hell, even the courtiers. Who's real and who isn't? I caught myself looking at the old stable hand with suspicion yesterday. And he's worked here for years."
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𝒜 ℋℯ𝒶𝓇𝓉 ℴ𝒻 𝒮𝒸𝒶𝓁ℯ𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒮𝓉ℯℯ𝓁
Fantasy"You kept all these secrets from me...I trusted you, Ava." he says as he took a step closer. "Was it all a lie...?" "It was better for the both of us..." I said, my voice calm and cold. "You should go before I kill you, like I did to your father." A...
