This Was It

It took them exactly an hour to complete the planning. As Levi had assured, his companions did indeed arrive.

Agatha was shocked to see how many there were. The expansive clearing they had been standing in was now filled with them. Like Levi and Leomord, they were also huge in their human forms. They were as tall as Liam but bulkier in terms of their body structure.

With their muscular physiques, it seemed like just one punch from them could easily destroy the trees. Most of them had long, ink-black hair. It was surprising how young they appeared.

They seemed to be the same age as Agatha, or if they were older, only by a few years. Their bodies were covered in tribal tattoos, and it was obvious which pack they belonged to.

Though both packs were wild, Beta Cavin's group was more disciplined than Levi's. They didn't talk much unless asked or given permission by Beta Cavin. On the other hand, Levi's group talked a lot. Despite their differences, Agatha could see the subtle respect they had for one another.

Leomord brought at least ten men, his companions coming from a mission at Primotheus Capital. Some had traveled from as far as Ethiopia to aid them.

Beta Cavin brought fifteen men. It was fortunate that their Alpha had ordered them to look for someone in Primotheus.

Additionally, around twenty men came with Liam, including Leonel. In total, there were at least fifty of them. But although they were quite a lot, they could not afford to be careless. Yes, Nysander was alone, but he could easily call for reinforcements, including Ghouls and who knew what else. So they had to plan this mission carefully to kill him and rescue Aiden with minimal casualties.

"So, Nysander is his name, I see. But what did that bastard do this time?" one of Beta Cavin's members asked Levi.

Levi recounted what they had discussed, including what Nysander had done to Ludwig's Fate.

"That bastard. He's still not stopping with the ladies."

"As it seems."

"And now he's targeting kids. Why? What does he need from the boy? Surely not what we're thinking, right?"

"Blood," Liam answered.

"Is he a Dreadspawn now?"

"Remember Amelia?" Leonel interjected.

"The rumored one who paid Adolf to steal the Night Howler?"

Leonel nodded. 

"Nysander allied with Amelia. We attacked them, and I fought him. I managed to poison him before he escaped, and the cure is his relatives' blood. So he's after his son to save himself."

The Werebeast went silent, and the others glanced toward Levi. "You know our code, right? This is a crime. We cannot involve ourselves because it is his son."

"This is a different case, Beta Cavin. The child was conceived without the mother's consent. It's not beyond reason that that Ravager has been looking for a capable Bearer for a very long time…"

Where before they were silent, now they were motionless.

"Damn," cursed Beta Cavin.

"Let's kill him this time," they agreed in unison.

"Agatha…" Liam looked worried as they stood at the top of the cliff, overlooking the vast forest of Escrima. Down below, a hidden cave supposedly housed Nysander.

The whole forest was dark, but in the dim moonlight, they could still glimpse their surroundings. It was an eerie sight, but majestic at the same time.

With the help of Liam's men, they tracked Nysander's faint trail, which led to four twisting paths. The first headed to Eldoria, the second to the underworld of Primotheus Capital, the third to the border of Ethiopia, and the last to where they currently were, towards Antevern.

Nysander had set up these paths to split Liam's men. But with the Werebeasts on their side, they followed his scent and quickly identified Antevern as the true location, while the rest were traps where countless Ghouls awaited.

Werebeasts were indeed the best trackers, easily distinguishing real scents from the fake ones created by Witches.

It was also learned that Nysander had a newly recruited Witch, which made Liam worried.

"We've already talked about this, Liam," said Agatha, her voice decisive and firm. "I'll join. I can't just sit and wait and hope while I know that Aiden is in grave danger. I'm sorry, but I can't."

Liam sighed heavily, realizing Agatha wasn't going to stay behind. "Fine," he said. "But promise me you'll be careful."

Agatha nodded. Soon, they left the edge of the cliff and went to the Werebeasts whispering with one another under a tree.

"I'll handle it," Leonel immediately presented himself. Everyone gathered around, listening to the plan. "Me, Liam, and Agatha—Nysander knows he's after her. It's only logical that one of us be the first to attack as bait. It can't be Agatha. Once she sees Aiden inside, she'll get worried and might not follow the plan. It can't be Liam either. He has issues with Nysander and would easily get mad and attack him recklessly. We can't afford to be careless. Our plan is both to kill and to save, not just one or the other. So, your best shot is no other than me."

Beta Cavin soon nodded with admiration. "I like this kid," he said to Levi. "He's well-equipped."

Then Levi turned to Leonel, serious. "But can you really handle it? You'll need to fight him one-on-one to achieve the plan. I know you're strong and capable, but you're still less experienced than most of us. It might endanger you. We are going against Nysander. That bastard is almost a century old. He has gone through countless wars and knows his stuff pretty well."

"I will do it." Liam stepped up to Leonel. "The last time you fought him, you were wounded. It almost killed you, Leonel. I've already lost Rivalz. I will not lose you."

Leonel frowned. "Don't be so full of yourself, Liam. You're no longer just a prince. You're the King now, as much as you don't want to be. The Ministers don't even know what we're doing here, so we need to be cautious. Your dying means the death of our lands as well, and if this fails, the death of Quailsham too."

Cavin, Levi, and the others seemed curious about what Leonel had just revealed. "How could this mission affect all of us?" Cavin asked.

Leonel sighed, seemingly regretting saying anything. "He knows something that can destroy our world."

"And what is it?" Levi asked, curious.

But Leonel went silent as Liam sighed. "Please, let's focus on this matter," he said. "Fine, Leonel. If you think you'll be hurt and can't handle it, then use the signal, and I will come to your aid. I don't want you to die. Rivalz will kill me once he returns if he learns I abandoned you and let you be killed. Even Ludwig, Alexa, and Hiyasmin. So I command you with one thing: don't die, Leonel. I swear I'll haunt you to the Underworld."

Liam then looked around at everyone there. "I don't want Leonel or any of you to die tonight. We must defeat Nysander, but I don't want it to be at the expense of anyone's life. I know you fight to the death, but please fight vigilantly. I don't want anyone dying under my watch. Every life is precious. We don't have to sacrifice one to save another. Are we clear?"

Beta Cavin laughed as he shook his head. "Crystal, Fae."

Even Levi grinned. "Indeed a Blue Blood," he murmured. "You portray yourself as a warrior, but you are built to lead. You talk and breathe like a true King. It runs in your blood."

Liam furrowed his brow. "You just insulted me and praised me at the same time."

The others laughed, and Agatha worried that the Ravager would hear their victorious roar.

It was almost midnight when they finally took their respective positions. There were three entrances and exit points to Antevern: the actual entrance, the back that led to a narrow river, and the right side of the cave towards the wild part of the forest.

To ensure that Nysander would not escape, three people manned each point. The remaining ones were divided into five groups, each with eight members.

Ryle's group, Liam's knights, were to battle the Ghouls. Beta Cavin's group was for the Witch. Levi's group was for any unexpected allies of Nysander. Others were on lookout duty. They had to be cautious because they didn't know if Nysander had other allies besides the Witch who created fake scents. It was paramount to be careful and have some leeway for unforeseen events.

This could also be a trap.

That was the plan, but they were still uncertain what awaited them in the seemingly unoccupied Antevern. They didn't know who they would meet inside the cave. Nevertheless, they planned with all the available information, though victory was not assured.

Leonel proceeded first. Soon, Agatha was at the entrance of the cave, accompanied by Liam. He kept looking at her as they walked inside. The cave was dark and looked normal, but she felt something strange she couldn't name.

Agatha tried her best to sense her surroundings, but she couldn't detect anything, not even Aiden's presence. Stalactites and stalagmites filled the cave, and huge bats slept before them. It was confusing to see them sleeping at night. Shouldn't they be out hunting for food?

Agatha sharpened her vision and hearing. She tightened her grip on her dagger and sword while watching Leonel, who was becoming smaller and smaller in the darkness.

Agatha and Liam stayed silent and motionless, hiding their presence. The other groups had already moved carefully, and they remained at the entrance of Antevern. Agatha and Liam waited for Leonel's signal.

"Aggie…" Liam called as he held Agatha's cold hand. Despite the darkness, she could feel his deep stare. "We will rescue Aiden, so don't worry. And please, protect yourself. I don't want you hurt."

Agatha nodded. She couldn't open her mouth to respond, afraid he would hear the nervousness in her voice. She was freaking out and scared, but she needed to forget her own emotions to save Aiden's life.

She couldn't afford to be weak. She had heard that those who accepted their Fates would feel their Fates' pain. She had to be careful. If Liam sensed she was hurt, he might abandon his position to save her, and that would ruin everything. She couldn't let that happen.

Liam kissed Agatha's forehead and offered her a brief smile before proceeding behind Leonel.

"You're lucky," said the Werebeast accompanying her.

She looked at him. He was years older than her, perhaps in his early thirties. Like the other Werebeasts, he also had tribal tattoos and muscular arms.

"I know you're worried because the boy is missing and Nysander is still alive. But you're lucky considering you've finally found your Fate."

He smiled and said, "I'm Luke," before resuming his analysis of the cave structures. Since they were Werebeasts, they didn't need to move to survey the surroundings. They could smell the place and use their heightened sight.

"Did you find yours?" Agatha asked softly.

She wasn't sure why she was talking openly with a total stranger, but considering they were helping them, although they had their own reasons, it still made her think there was innate goodness in different creatures.

Luke shook his head and laughed softly. "I've been looking for her for a decade now."

Agatha smirked. A decade seemed like a long time already.

"Well, it's good that you haven't given up looking for her," said Agatha. "Do you already have a family of your own?"

Luke began to walk, and Agatha followed suit, soon joined by the others.

"Not yet," said Luke, looking around. "I'm still waiting for her, no matter what. It's a good thing I'm not an Alpha. No one will force me to find my other half to bear children."

They stopped their walk when suddenly the entire cave quaked. Soon after, Leonel's signal reverberated across the cavernous space.

Luke swallowed hard as Agatha gasped. This was it, the very moment they had been waiting for.