Lucian stumbled toward the village gates, every step heavier than the last. His breaths came in shallow gasps, and his vision blurred, but he pressed on. He had to reach them.

  As he neared, the faint outlines of the villagers came into focus, their faces painted with fear and confusion. The murmurs grew louder.

  "What happened to him?"

  "Is that blood?"

  "Who attacked him?"

  Lucian glanced down at himself, his robes soaked in crimson. The sight almost made him laugh bitterly.

  *Figures. Of course, this is what they'd see first.*

  Then his eyes caught a familiar figure in the crowd. Dylan.

  The boy stood frozen, his small frame trembling as he stared wide-eyed at Lucian. His face was pale, his lips slightly parted, but no words came.

  Lucian's heart sank.

  *Oh no... Not him. Please, not again.*

  Ignoring the murmurs, the guards, and the concerned hands reaching for him, Lucian broke into a staggering run, pushing through the crowd.

  He dropped to his knees in front of Dylan and pulled him into a tight embrace, ignoring the sharp pain that flared in his ribs.

  "Dylan…" Lucian's voice cracked as he whispered into the boy's ear. "I'm home."

  But Dylan didn't respond.

  His small hands hung limply at his sides, his wide, unfocused eyes staring straight ahead.

  Lucian swallowed hard, his heart pounding. "Why aren't you responding?" he murmured, pulling back slightly to cup Dylan's cheeks.

  The boy's skin was cold to the touch.

  "I thought you'd be happy to see me," Lucian said with a shaky smile. He forced his voice to steady, though it was laced with desperation. "Look. I'm fine. See? So stop making that expression, okay?"

  Something in Lucian's gentle tone seemed to crack the wall around Dylan.

  "Father…" the boy whispered, his voice trembling before it broke into a sob. "Father!"

  He threw his arms around Lucian, clinging to him like a lifeline. "I'll be good! I promise! So please… don't leave me! Please don't leave me!"

  The dam burst, and for the first time since the tragedy, Dylan wept openly, not as the mature child he tried to be, but as the vulnerable boy he truly was.

  Lucian's chest ached as he held Dylan closer, running his fingers through the boy's hair. "I won't leave you," he whispered firmly. "I promise."

  "Really?" Dylan choked out between sobs, looking up at him with tear-streaked cheeks and red-rimmed eyes.

  Lucian stared into the boy's eyes, his own gaze unwavering. "I promise," he said, his voice soft but resolute. "I won't go. Ever. Even if you get sick of me and decide to kick me out, I'll never leave."

  Dylan sniffled, his small hands clutching at Lucian's robes. "You promise?"

  "I promise," Lucian said again, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "I won't die. I'll never die."

  "Even when you grow old and wrinkly. Even when you have a long white beard." He said as he pinches Dylan's chin softly.

  "And even when your head becomes as shiny as a mirror. I'll still be with you." Lucian added with a small grin as he pats Dylan's head.

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Dylan let out a soft chuckle despite his tears. "That's terrible… I don't wanna go bald."

  Lucian laughed lightly, the sound warm and soothing. "Well, I'm sure you'll still look handsome, even if you're bald."

  Dylan's laughter faltered as his gaze fell to the crimson staining Lucian's robes. "That blood…" he whispered, his voice shaking.

  Lucian tightened his hold on the boy and smiled reassuringly. "It's not mine," he said gently.

  Madam Agnes stepped forward, her sharp eyes scanning Lucian's disheveled state and the blood covering his robes. She crouched beside Dylan, placing a steadying hand on his shoulder.

  "Father Lucian," she began, her tone firm but laced with concern. "What exactly happened? Where's Theo?"

  Lucian's expression darkened, the weight of his journey crashing down on him all at once. "We were attacked," he said, his voice low but urgent.

  Agnes' face paled. "Attacked? By what?"

  Lucian's gaze flicked to the villagers who had gathered around them, their murmurs growing louder with every passing second. He hesitated, glancing back at Agnes.

  "Please," he said, his voice almost pleading. "Send people to the field. They're still out there."

  "Who's out there?" Agnes pressed.

  Lucian's shoulders sagged as exhaustion threatened to overtake him. "Theo…" he murmured. "He fainted after protecting me."

  Agnes gasped softly, her hand flying to her chest. "Theo…? Oh, no…"

  But Lucian wasn't finished.

  "There's… someone else," he added, his voice barely above a whisper.

  *

  *

  *

  Moments ago, as the sun dipped low on the horizon, painting the world in hues of crimson and gold. Lucian clutched his staff tightly, his heart pounding as Theo suddenly stepped forward, his hand moving to the hilt of his sword.

  "Wait," Lucian began, but Theo's face was set, shadowed by the fading light. The steel of his blade glinted as it slid free from its sheath.

  The faint rasp of metal against leather sent a shiver down Lucian's spine.

  Is he seriously going to kill me?

  But Theo's hand moved swiftly, pulling Lucian behind him.

  "Someone's coming," Theo muttered, his voice low but tense.

  Lucian squinted into the distance. A figure appeared on the horizon, bathed in the bloody light of sunset.

  "A person?" Lucian asked, hope flickering in his chest. But as the figure staggered closer. "Wait… he's injured. Look at all that blood. We need to—"

  Theo's hand gripped Lucian's shoulder firmly. "Stay back."

  "Why? He's hurt—"

  "He should be dead if he's lost that much blood," Theo said grimly.

  Lucian froze. His eyes darted back to the figure. The realization hit him like a hammer.

  "That blood-"

  "-isn't his," Theo finished.

  The figure suddenly broke into a sprint, moving with terrifying speed.

  "Shit! He's fast! Too fast!" Lucian yelped, instinctively grabbing onto Theo.

  In the blink of an eye, the figure was upon them. Theo raised his sword just in time to block his razor-sharp claws.

  Lucian's breath hitched. The figure's features came into view—a boy, barely in his teens.

  His hair was a wild, matted red, and his body was covered in patches of coarse fur.

  Green eyes glowed eerily in the dim light, and his fangs gleamed as he lunged at Theo with primal fury.

  What the hell?!

  The boy fought like a rabid animal, clawing and snapping with relentless aggression.

  Theo's sword flashed as he parried and struck, but the boy moved with unnatural speed, his attacks unpredictable.

  "Stay behind me!" Theo barked, his voice strained as he blocked another frenzied swipe.

  Lucian watched in stunned silence as the two clashed. Theo's movements were precise and controlled, but the boy was a whirlwind of savage energy.

  This isn't a fight. This is survival.

  Theo grunted as the boy's claws raked across his arm, leaving deep, bloody gashes.

  "Damn it," Theo hissed, his breathing labored.

  Lucian clenched his staff tightly. "Theo, you're losing!"

  "No kidding!" Theo snapped, deflecting another strike. "Stay out of this, Lucian!"

  But Lucian couldn't just stand by. He gritted his teeth, his mind racing.

  Shit! I can't just heal him...

  The enemy is too strong. I'll end up using all of my remaining powers, even then Theo will probably lose.

  Then I-

  Think! Think! Think!

  Suddenly, a memory floated in Lucian's mind. A scene from a movie he watched long ago.

  That could work.

  "I'll blind him!" Lucian shouts

  "What?!"

  "I'll create a flash of light. Use the opening to strike!"

  Theo hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. "Fine! Just don't miss!"

  Lucian steadied himself, channeling the divine energy coursing through him to his staff. Then with a dramatic line,

  "You shall not pass!"

  He slammed his staff into the ground, sending out a brilliant shockwave of light.

  The boy let out a guttural snarl, recoiling as the light blinded him.

  Theo surged forward, his sword plunging into the boy's abdomen.

  The light faded, and for a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath.

  The boy stood motionless, blood pouring from the wound.

  "Is it over?" Theo smiled as he looked at Lucian.

  Oh no! You didn't just said that line, did you?

  Then, with a final burst of energy, he lashed out, his claws tearing across Theo's chest.

  Theo staggered back, collapsing to the ground.

  "Theo!" Lucian cried, rushing to his side.

  But before he could reach him, the boy turned his bloodied gaze toward Lucian.

  "No… no, no, no!" Lucian stammered, backing away as the boy stumbled toward him.

  How is he still moving?! He's bleeding out!

  The boy's green eyes locked onto Lucian, feral and unrelenting.

  "Good boy…" Lucian said weakly, raising his hands in surrender. "That's a good boy…"

  What am I even saying?!

  The boy lunged. Lucian yelped as he was tackled to the ground.

  Fuck!

  I'm dead.

  *

  *

  *

  But nothing happened.

  Lucian blinked. The boy lay on top of him, unmoving.

  "Huh?" Lucian gasped, his heart still racing. "Did he… bleed out?"

  He shoved the boy off him, scrambling to his feet. His eyes darted to Theo, who was still unconscious on the ground.

  "Theo!" Lucian ran to his side, shaking him frantically. "Wake up! Don't you dare die on me!"

  Theo didn't respond.

  Lucian's hands trembled as he began channeling healing magic, his palms glowing with faint light. "Come on… come on…"

  After what felt like an eternity, Theo's breathing steadied, but his eyes remained closed.

  Lucian exhaled shakily, sitting back on his heels. His gaze shifted to the boy, who was still bleeding but breathing faintly.

  What do I do with him?

  Lucian hesitated. The boy looked so young, his features peaceful now that the feral rage had subsided.

  "Damn it," Lucian muttered. "You're just a kid."

  He knelt beside the boy, channeling the last of his healing magic. The wounds began to close, though they left angry scars.

  Lucian ripped strips from his already-tattered robes, tying the boy's hands and feet.

  Hmm. I'll add more just in case.

  Lucian added more, tying a rope at every span, all over his body.

  Somehow, this feels... wrong. He resembles pork ready for roasting.

  He turned back to Theo, attempting to lift him.

  "Ugh. Why are you so heavy?" Lucian grunted, barely managing to drag Theo a few feet. He tried the boy next, but his effort was equally futile. "Are you two made of stone?!"

  Panting, Lucian dropped to the ground. The sky had darkened, the first stars appearing overhead.

  "Sigh. No choice."

  He got to his feet and began running toward the village.

  "I'm getting help," he muttered.