by Brandon Chen
Terias smirked at his friend but said nothing.
“Oh, set aside the formalities. You’re practically family,” the king said, grinning.
“He will be, when he finally decides to wed Violet,” the queen teased.
Now Yuri could feel the heat rushing to his face as he straightened his back, hearing the princess giggle beside him. He smiled at the king and queen. “What can I do for you?”
“We’ve come to you asking for something that you might find … surprising, at first.” The king shrugged. “But I’m sure you will understand the reasoning for our decision. We’re offering to pass our royal power to you and Violet.”
The young man blinked, as surprised as his lord had predicted. Such an offer had never been made in the history of Horux. He knew why the king had approached him, though. He already had the peoples’ love and loyalty; the monument that the civilians had built for him was proof of that. The royal pair did not understand werewolves, and Yuri didn’t expect them to. For them, ruling Horux was like a couple of rabbits trying to govern a society of lions. The two races were extremely different and, should the werewolves choose, they could easily overthrow the human king and queen.
Yuri and Violet were both werewolves, and the Ghost Wolf was easily the strongest in the city, other than Faelen. There had been no threat of a coup for the citizens of Horux trusted him, as did the king and queen. He had already advised the royal family on many of their decisions, so they knew that he was capable of making wise choices. “Wouldn’t Archerus be better suited for the position than I?” Yuri suggested.
Archerus was a great leader, having shared the reins of the expedition through Lichholme with Kura. He’d taken over after she’d been killed, and had managed to complete the quest even though Yuri had been in a coma. Without Archerus, Yuri knew that he would’ve perished a long time ago. He owed the man a great deal.
“Archerus was actually the one who recommended that the kingship be passed onto you,” the king said, beaming, catching Yuri off-guard once again. “You have recommendations from many of your friends as well. Even the immortal, Zylon, believes that you would make a great king, considering the contributions that you’ve made since your return to Horux.”
“So, what do you say?” the queen purred. “Violet, we also await your answer.”
“I’ll take the role if Yuri does,” Violet said, hugging the hero’s arm. She nuzzled her cheek against his shoulder. “I wouldn’t want anyone else as my king but him.”
Yuri smiled amiably, feeling the gazes of the royal family and Terias upon him. To become king was an enormous responsibility. He never thought that he would ever be in a position of power, having lived in the slums for most of his life. Yet, here was his chance to become a lord, and the first werewolf king in Terrador’s history. It would be a stressful duty, but Yuri knew that with his friends helping him, he could steer Horux in the right path.
The young man met Violet’s gaze, his heart fluttering. And there’s no one else that I’d rather have as my queen.
“I’ll do it.”
***
Time flew by after Yuri took Horux’s throne. After several months, he’d married Violet, the one person that he wanted to spend an eternity with. The city had been rebuilt and even improved. The economy prospered, with open trade routes to Iradia, established by Commander Terias and his army of werewolf knights.
Archerus continued to teach the new werewolves, including Queen Violet, how to control their new abilities. His real duty, however, was functioning as Yuri’s right-hand man. The king never made a decision without first consulting with Archerus and Violet; the three practically ruled the city together. Meanwhile, Violet’s parents enjoyed their retirement in a luxurious home in the Noble District.
A year had passed since Yuri had taken the crown. The Ghost Wolf walked with Zylon past a recently built statue of Senna that was positioned outside the barracks in the Noble District. “Much has changed,” Zylon said with a grin. “You’ve done well for this city, Yuri. Much better than the tyrannical kings I’ve met over my lifetime.”
“Thank you.” Yuri replied. “I appreciate you staying for the past year to help with the rebuilding of Horux.”
“I’ve actually called you here today to tell you that I’ll be leaving. And I think that you should come with me,” the immortal said, causing the king to halt. Zylon smiled, expecting the surprised reaction from the Ghost Wolf. “Junko is still out there, corrupting others like Faelen and Tanya, using their weaknesses to manipulate good people. As long as he remains in this world, no one is safe. The Bount organization’s goal is the domination of Terrador. Eventually he will return to Escalon. Horux will not be safe forever, you know that.”
Yuri nodded. He’d been thinking about Junko, about where the cloaked man might be hiding and what his next move would be. His knuckles cracked at his side as he clenched his fists. “Junko preys upon those enraged at the world and drags them to his side,” he murmured. “He was the true mastermind behind Horux’s massacre. The blood of thousands stains his hands.”
“I’ve located him, on a faraway continent to the south that is inhabited only by humans,” Zylon said. “No werewolves, no vampires, no undead—”
“No creatures that will want to gobble me whole?”
“I can’t promise that.”
“And you want me to come with you to this foreign continent,” Yuri said, raising an eyebrow at the magician. “To oppose Junko and his Bounts.”
“You’ve saved Horux and Escalon from destruction,” Zylon said, patting the werewolf on the shoulder. “But now it is the world that needs saving. The Bounts are amassing an enormous amount of power. I believe that they plan to awaken a being so strong that he will make Faelen seem like a child in comparison.”
Yuri winced at the sound of that. “I am the leader of a settlement of people now, Zylon. I cannot just abandon my duties as king and—”
“I’ve already talked to Archerus. He said that he was willing to fill your seat if you came with me on this expedition to put an end to the threat of darkness that plagues Terrador. Together, Archerus and Violet will be able to keep Horux on its feet in your absence,” Zylon said. “Noah and I have created a force of our own to combat the Bounts — an army of magical assassins that will be specially trained to hunt Junko and his accomplices. It is your choice, but know that we could use more help. Noah, Lena, and I leave tomorrow morning.”
Yuri pondered the offer for a moment. He knew that he didn’t have to go. No one would judge him badly if he decided to stay here and lead the citizens of Horux. He could live a happy life with Violet and enjoy the peace, while it lasted. But if Zylon and his allies were unable to stop Junko, then he would surely have to fight in the future. The Ghost Wolf didn’t want events like the massacre of Horux to happen again. If he helped to stop Junko, then the Bounts would never be able to cause any more atrocities. This was his chance to save countless lives.
“Junko is responsible for the hardship that Escalon suffered a year ago,” Yuri said, sighing. “I agree that he needs to be stopped. It’s just that—” He stopped speaking, biting his lower lip. He was afraid of the dangers that lay ahead. If there were going to be foes that were stronger than Faelen … what were the chances that he would return home in one piece?
“You have until tomorrow morning to think about it,” Zylon said with an understanding nod. The immortal bowed respectfully to the king before walking towards the Lower District, where he was meeting Lena and Noah about their departure plans. “We leave at sunrise.”
Yuri watched the esteemed magician as he strolled off. He bit his lower lip, thinking about his last encounter with Junko at Lady Amara’s fortress, where he’d been humiliated. He remembered Junko’s violet eyes burning with true malice. To leave on this journey would be risking all the happiness that he’d fought to secure over the past two years. He would encounter powerful opponents. But something within him knew that he couldn’t just let a madm
an like Junko roam free. The nefarious Bount must be brought to justice; his crimes could not go unpunished.
The Ghost Wolf would accept this precarious quest.
***
As expected, when Yuri broke the news to Violet, she was distraught. The thought of Yuri thrusting himself back into harm’s way was worrying, but he promised that he would return. It was an assurance that seemed to put Horux’s queen as ease, as if the promise could immunize her husband against the cold grip of death.
The two lovers spent the night in each other’s arms, cherishing what could be their final moments together. The king watched his beautiful wife as she lay asleep beside him, still gripping his hand tightly.
Yuri slowly slipped away from Violet and rose from his bed, sweeping his black cloak over his body. He snatched a leather bag that lay beside his door, slinging it over his shoulder, and slipped his feet into a pair of leather boots.
The Ghost Wolf went to his balcony, welcoming the chilling breeze that blew the hair from his face. He pressed his clammy palms against the railing of the terrace and exhaled shakily. The moon shined its luminous light on him as he looked at the grand statue of himself that stood triumphantly in the castle’s courtyard.
What was this uneasy feeling in his chest? Just thinking of the dangerous journey ahead made him feel queasy. Was he afraid of death? A year ago, he hadn’t been. The young man glanced over his shoulder at Violet, who slept soundlessly. “It’s you, isn’t it?” he whispered. “I don’t want to hurt you.” He feared that it would stab his beloved through the heart if he failed to fulfill his promise. The very thought of hurting her, of leaving her, made his chest ache.
For a moment, Yuri’s mind called him back to the bed, where he could entwine himself in the warm blankets and forget all of his fears. No one would condemn him for wanting to stay in Horux. He’d already done Escalon a great service. But then the world called to him, crying desperately for help. The imaginary voices of the millions that would suffer from Junko’s wrath echoed in his mind, fusing together in a cacophony of pleas.
Yuri glanced across the room at the red scarf that Violet had given him years ago, lying upon his bedside table. He thought about going to it, but didn’t. Instead, he turned and leapt off the balcony and dashed off into the night. A small smile formed on his lips. He knew that he didn’t need a memento to remember the woman that he loved.
Earlier in the day, he’d said goodbye to many of his close friends. But there was someone that he’d forgotten to speak to before he departed Horux.
As the king walked through the empty streets of the sleeping city, he wandered into the trade district. The marketplace was practically empty, except for a man sitting on a wooden bench, his attention transfixed by Zylon’s statue in the center of the plaza. Yuri walked closer to the man, blinking when he realized that it was Faelen.
“Greetings, my liege,” Faelen said with a polite bow of his head.
Yuri hadn’t seen the werewolf in months. But he’d heard only praise of Faelen, which made him believe that the ex-Bount was honestly working hard to turn over a new leaf. “What brings you here so late?”
“It is morning,” Faelen corrected, leaning back into the bench. “I wake up early so that I can see the sunrise. It’s a magnificent sight that I never got to see when I was jailed. Seeing the warm, beautiful rays of light fill me with hope that each day will be a good one.” He tapped the wood of the bench, smiling. “This was also where I first met Yazmine, the light of my life.”
Yuri smiled at him. “You’ve come a long way. You’ve done more than uphold our accord. I’ve heard of your gracious contributions to Horux’s growth.”
“Only because you saw past my vicious image and gave me a second chance,” Faelen said. “I was misled and wrathful. Because of my lack of control, I’ve injured this wonderful city and its people. I do whatever I can to make up for my wrongdoing, but it never seems to be enough.”
Yuri averted his gaze, now staring at his feet. He’d felt the same way after he’d scarred Violet.
“You’re going somewhere?” Faelen asked, nodding to the bag on Yuri’s shoulder.
“I depart today to join Zylon’s hunt of the Bount organization,” Yuri said, watching as Faelen’s eyes went wide with surprise. “Junko is malevolent and poses a danger to Terrador. He must be stopped. The city will be governed by Archerus and Queen Violet. I expect that you’ll behave in my temporary absence.”
“Temporary,” Faelen murmured, crossing one leg over the other. He thrummed his index finger against the bench’s arm, as if he were impatient. “Milord, I cannot stress the amount of danger that lies ahead in this quest that you pursue. Junko is a master of manipulation. He may not physically fight many of his battles, but the allies that he gathers will surely be fearsome. Even I wouldn’t stand a chance against them.”
“Danger cannot deter me from this path,” Yuri said. “The Bounts almost drove you to destroy Escalon. If we had not stopped you and Junko’s sick plan, then this continent would be in ruins and millions would be dead. What if they do the same thing elsewhere … and there aren’t courageous warriors powerful enough to stand against the Bounts? Then what?”
Faelen was silent. He knew the answer; the weak would perish.
“With every continent that falls beneath the Bounts’ influence, their strength grows,” Yuri said. “They want to conquer the world, and that means that the security of Horux and Escalon is also at stake. I don’t want anyone else to have to go through the hell that the citizens of Horux have endured.” He straightened his back, his countenance gleaming with confidence. “That’s why I’ll help bring Junko and his organization crashing down, no matter what it takes.”
Faelen smirked, recognizing the Ghost Wolf’s look. “You’re stubborn. Once you set your mind to something, you’re impossible to convince.” Standing up, Faelen walked over to the king. He patted Yuri’s shoulder and led him out of the trade district. “I don’t know when I’ll see you next,” he said, his body morphing into a werewolf. “That’s why I’d love to watch the sunrise with you on this fine morning. Come with me.” The beast took off into the empty streets, sprinting towards the outer walls of Horux.
Yuri watched Faelen for a moment, smiling. He swiftly transformed into the white werewolf and charged forth with incredible speed, following the ebony beast. The two creatures scaled the side of Horux’s wall with ease, landing gracefully on the walkway at the top.
From there, Yuri could see ribbons of warm colors creeping over the horizon, stretching outward as the sun slowly began to rise. Light expanded from the awakening star, sending vibrant light streaming across the sky. A sea of clouds held the radiant light as the sun ascended.
The king found himself grinning, extending his hand outward, watching as trickles of light streamed through his fingers. He closed his hand into a tight fist, the perimeter of his hand glowing gold from the sun’s luminous rays. The Ghost Wolf put his hand on Faelen’s shoulder, finally considering the werewolf as a companion. “The world and its inhabitants are always changing for better or for worse,” Yuri said, still watching the horizon in awe. “But the sun will always be this beautiful.”
“That it will,” Faelen said warmly, pointing down to Zylon, Lena, and Noah, standing at the gates of Horux. The three were preparing to leave and hadn’t yet noticed the Ghost Wolf. “A grand quest lies ahead of you, Lord Yuri, one that will be even more treacherous than your last. But something tells me that you will endure. You somehow always do.” He struck his chest as a soldier would and bowed in deep reverence to his king. “I wish you a safe return, my king.”
Yuri watched the werewolf for a moment, shifting back into his human form. He smiled and gave Faelen a gracious nod. Exhaling, the young man leapt off the wall, landing on the ground beside Lena and Noah. The two jumped in surprise at the lord’s abrupt arrival.
“So, you came,” Zylon said, smiling. The immortal adjusted a giant bag on his back. “You are doing Terra
dor a great service, Yuri.”
The Ghost Wolf brushed his white hair from his eyes. “Nonsense. We should all contribute to the preservation of this great world.” He grinned. “I’m just doing my part.”
The End
Continue reading of Yuri’s journey in the Age of Darkness series! Thank you for reading. If you enjoyed this tale, please consider leaving a review and check out the other stories of Terrador!
