Blades Beneath the Moonlight

The night had already wrapped the world in velvet darkness by the time Jack, Joshua, and Lancelot returned to the Noble House of Kaizer. The towering estate loomed in silence, its lantern-lit halls glowing faintly through the grand windows. The trio entered the main hall, their boots echoing softly across the marble floor.

Without a word, Lancelot broke off from the group, his expression unreadable as he disappeared down the hallway toward his room. Joshua and Jack continued onward together, their steps slower, heavier from both the late hour and the weight of what lay ahead.

Jack glanced sideways. "Do you think we can trust Zain?"

Joshua paused a moment before answering, his voice calm. "Yeah, I think so. He might hide his true intentions sometimes, but… he's a good person."

He remembered being a child, smaller, more uncertain and Zain, just a little older, standing in front of him, shielding him from cruel words and even crueler hands during a family gathering. That memory warmed something inside him.

Jack nodded thoughtfully. "People can change. But honestly… we don't have a choice. It's the only real chance we've got to save James."

Joshua noticed Jack's face harden slightly, the way his jaw clenched, not in anger, but in resolve. He didn't ask, but he guessed Jack was thinking of his sister.

They reached their shared room. Inside, Raphael was already asleep, back to them, breathing evenly. Joshua and Jack quietly got ready for bed, the unspoken burden of the next mission lingering like fog. Moments later, they lay in silence, the room filled only with the sound of distant crickets.

Lancelot opened the door to his room, the soft flicker of candlelight greeting him. Merlin sat upright on the bed, her back resting against the headboard, eyes skimming a page of her book. The scene was warm. Comforting.

She looked up. "What happened to your face?"

She closed the book gently and placed it on the bedside table.

Lancelot didn't answer immediately. He kicked off his boots and collapsed onto the bed, his head landing on her lap with a weary sigh.

"We ran into Zain," he said, exhaling. "Joshua's cousin. Son of the Werewolf King. We fought at first, but he says he wants to help us save James and overthrow his father… make Joshua king. So… we're working together now. Except Raphael."

He closed his eyes, exhaustion drawing him closer to sleep.

"But enough of that. How was your day, Merlin?"

She smiled, brushing some hair from his forehead. "That sounds dangerous, but also promising. I understand why Raphael doesn't agree, though. You all need to be careful. As for my day, Blanchette, Sam, and I had a tea party in the garden."

Lancelot chuckled weakly. "I'm glad… you had fun…"

And just like that, he was asleep. Merlin gazed down at him, then raised her hands gently over his face. A soft, glowing purple light shimmered from her palms as she healed his wounds, her expression one of quiet love.

Two Days Later

Morning sun slipped through the windows of Joshua's room. He stirred to find Jack still sprawled out in his bed, snoring lightly. Raphael, however, was already up, dressed and seated by the window, arms folded.

"Morning, Joshua," Raphael said flatly. "Captain Percival said there's no training today."

Joshua's eyes lit up. "Perfect," he murmured. (Now we can get to the ambush point early and save James.)

Raphael noticed the determined fire in Joshua's eyes. He stood without another word and left the room, his irritation visible.

Joshua leaned over and tapped Jack's shoulder. "Jack. Wake up."

Jack groaned and rubbed his eyes. "What's… up?"

"No training today. Jack, it's time."

Jack blinked, but when he saw the seriousness in Joshua's expression, sleep vanished. He nodded. "Right."

The two of them dressed in silence, donning their armor and strapping on their swords. They had just reached the door when it opened, Lancelot stood there, fully equipped and ready.

"So you guys heard there's no training," he said. "Let's go."

The three of them exited the noble house, moving like shadows with purpose.

From a hallway window, Raphael watched them leave, his face tight with conflicted emotion.

(What's wrong with them? I get that James is part of our house, but… is the info they got even reliable? This could be a trap. They could all be marching to their deaths… But I can't stop them. They're too damn determined.)

Julia approached quietly from behind, wrapping her arms around him and resting her chin on his shoulder.

"So that's what has my hubby so stressed out," she murmured.

Raphael didn't move. "Yeah. Those idiots are walking straight into a trap."

"They're strong," she said, holding him tighter. "Even if it is a trap, they'll be fine."

Raphael let out a sigh. "Yeah… you're right. It would take a whole werewolf army to take down those three."

Later That Morning – Ambush Point, Forest Road

Joshua, Jack, and Lancelot crouched behind thick bushes at the edge of a quiet forest road. The dense trees rustled softly around them. The scent of earth and pine filled the air.

"This is the spot," Joshua whispered.

Jack scanned the path. "I know you trust Zain, but… why didn't he come with us? Feels off. Like a trap."

Lancelot gave a small nod of agreement.

Joshua's voice was firm. "He said he didn't want to risk his father finding out he leaked the location. And according to him, it's just two Beta noble werewolves transporting James. With the three of us, it'll be an easy rescue."

Jack and Lancelot didn't look convinced.

"I get it," Lancelot said. "But it's hard to trust the son of the Werewolf King."

Joshua met both their eyes. "Zain is a good person. He had plenty of chances to betray us before and he didn't."

The others nodded slightly, the tension settling just a little.

Then, the sound of galloping hooves echoed through the trees.

They all tensed.

A black carriage emerged down the road, flanked by two armored riders. The crest of the Xeno family was emblazoned on the door.

"There it is," Joshua whispered. He turned to them, eyes shining with fierce resolve. "I told you Zain wasn't lying."

Swords were drawn. Muscles tensed.

The time to act had come.