64. Called from the Far North

As the Silver-Furred Wolf descended the mountain, the Ice Wyvern took to the skies once more, its massive wings stirring the air with an icy gale.

Every beast along the rocky path bowed their heads as Sarken passed, a silent show of respect for the powerful wolf.

With swift, effortless movements, Sarken leaped from rock to rock, traversing the treacherous terrain with ease. After a few minutes, he landed on a jagged outcrop and turned his gaze toward a dark cave nestled in the mountainside. Without hesitation, he sprang forward, disappearing into its depths.

At the very end of the cave stood a silver mirror, its surface smooth and polished, radiating a faint glow.

Sarken raised a paw and pressed it against the mirror.

A flash of silver light illuminated the cave, and suddenly, an image emerged—

A majestic white-furred wolf lay atop a bed of glacial ice, its icy-blue eyes reflecting the eternal snowstorm swirling around it. Yet, not a single flake of snow dared to touch its pristine fur, nor did the howling wind ruffle a single strand.

The wolf's eyes slowly opened.

"Sarken."

Sarken lowered his head slightly. "My Lady Fian, I have discovered the reason why Raion refuses to stop troubling the Statue Tribe."

A hint of curiosity flickered in Fian's gaze. "What is it?"

Sarken's voice remained steady. "The Earth Wolf of the Statue Tribe killed the Ice Scale Snake. That snake… was Raion's child."

Fian's expression remained unreadable. "The Ice Scale Snake was only at the initial Bronze Rank… and Raion himself is also only at the initial Bronze Rank. Has he abandoned his caution and revealed his true strength?"

Sarken shook his head. "Looks like it. For years, he has deliberately concealed his realm, pretending to be weaker out of fear that Leon would target him."

Fian let out a soft, knowing hum. "Leon is growing old. If he fails to reach the Peak Bronze Rank, he will die. His descendants lack the talent to secure his clan's dominance after his death. So, he has been eliminating any potential threats—but it seems his plan has failed."

Sarken's ears twitched. "Then… the Earth Wolf will die."

He exhaled sharply before adding, "I do not care whether the Earth Wolf lives or dies, but behind him stands a Golden Rank Vampire Bat."

Fian's expression remained calm, cold, and unmoved. "The bat is still sealed. Before he can do anything, he must break free. And don't forget… the Bat broke the rules of Wintermoon Mountain first. There is always a price to pay for defying the laws of this land."

A chilling smile touched her lips.

"Even if the bat does escape, what of it? Do you believe he would dare move against us? The Golden Lion may have only sealed him temporarily, but we… we will encase him in an eternal prison of ice—where he will remain frozen until the end of time."

With those final words, the image in the mirror faded.

Sarken stared at his reflection for a moment before muttering under his breath, "The Vampire Bat may not seek trouble… but he will not fear us either. I must deliver this news to my mistress immediately."

Then, without another word, Sarken pressed his paw against the silver mirror once more.

A few moments later, an image flickered to life—revealing a young silver-furred wolf.

"Brother!" the wolf greeted, tail wagging slightly.

Sarken's eyes narrowed. "Brean? Why do you have the mirror? Where is Mistress?"

Brean tilted her head. "Mother, Mistress, and the elders are in a meeting. Mistress gave me the mirror to watch over it."

Her ears perked up as she suddenly remembered something. "Wait! I'll take the mirror to Mistress."

Before Sarken could protest, Brean disappeared from the mirror's view. He could see her sharp teeth gripping the mirror's edge as she picked it up, her movements quick and eager.

"Wait! Don't go." Sarken's voice carried a firm urgency.

Brean stopped abruptly, placing the mirror back down with a confused expression. "Why?"

Sarken exhaled. "What I need to say is not meant for the elders."

Brean's wolfish head tilted further, her golden eyes filled with curiosity. As a child by Silver Spirit Wolf standards, she remained blissfully unaware of the clan's politics.

Sarken, realizing how long he had been away, decided to ask, "What's been happening in the clan?"

Brean's expression grew thoughtful. "Nothing much. It's the same as when you left."

Then, as if remembering something, her eyes sparkled with excitement. "Oh! But Lileenya is being courted by Sech."

Sarken's expression darkened instantly. "Sech? He never had the courage before. What changed?"

Brean's tail flicked. "I heard his elder sister, Rionah, advanced to Late Silver Rank."

Sarken's frown deepened. So that's why.

Before he could say more, the distant sound of footsteps reached his ears.

"Mother and Mistress are here," Brean whispered, ears twitching.

A commanding voice echoed from beyond the mirror. "Brean, who are you talking to?"

Then, another voice—cool, sharp, and knowing. "It must be Sarken."

The silver mirror lifted from Brean's paws, floating effortlessly into the air. A moment later, two majestic silver-furred wolves stepped into view.

Sarken's gaze flickered between them. "Mother. Mistress. You both look troubled… Is it because of Rionah?"

The Mistress's eyes narrowed. "So, you've already heard."

Sarken gave a small nod. "Brean told me."

His mother sighed, weariness evident in her expression. "The elders want Rionah to take over Eiliad's position. The call from the Far North has come again."

Sarken's ears flattened slightly. "A decade ago, Father took half of the clan's strongest warriors to answer that call."

The Mistress's voice grew quiet, solemn. "It is a call we cannot refuse."

A heavy silence settled between them.

Sarken finally spoke. "Has there been any word from Father? Any sign of those who went with him?"

The Mistress shook her head. "None."

Silence once again.

Sarken's gaze sharpened. "Mistress, if you advance to the Golden Rank, your strength will ensure both your survival and that of those who follow you."

The mirror's glow flickered slightly. Mistress Eiliad's voice was calm but firm. "You know our Silver Spirit Wolf clan's bloodline limit is Peak Silver Rank. Only one in a thousand ever breaks through to Golden Rank—and that's if they are incredibly lucky."

Sarken met her gaze. "Mistress. Mother. Do you remember when I was first sent to serve Lady Fian? During one of my patrols, I sensed an ominous presence from a valley."

Both wolves nodded.

Sarken continued, his voice steady. "A month ago, Lady Fian ordered me to subdue a rogue Snow Ape clan that had broken the rules. After bringing them under control, she commanded me to send them into the valley to attack."

Mistress Eiliad's expression darkened. "And?"

"They all perished." Sarken's eyes glowed with intensity. "Lady Fian was watching. Afterward, she told me something shocking—there is a half-step Golden Rank Vampire Bat sealed within that valley. During the attack, it broke through to Golden Rank and is now trying to escape the seal."

A tense silence followed.

Sarken pressed on. "Mother. Mistress. You both know Vampire Bats are among the rare few beasts without a bloodline limit. The weak ones are no different from ordinary creatures, but the strong…" His voice lowered. "Some have even reached the Legendary Rank."

Mistress Eiliad's eyes narrowed. "You're thinking of asking this bat for a way to break our bloodline limit?"

Sarken nodded. "If there's a way, he would know."

Mistress Eiliad let out a slow breath. "Vampire Bats are unpredictable. Some are indifferent, others violent. And there must be a reason why this one was sealed. If you try to contact him, you may be walking into a greater danger than you realize."

Sarken remained unfazed. "Mistress, if there were no risks, it wouldn't be worth considering."

Mistress Eiliad's voice turned resolute. "Then wait. I will come to you."

Sarken shook his head. "No, Mistress. Lady Fian doesn't like you." His voice carried a finality. "And the Vampire Bat won't kill me. I can help him solve a problem in return."

Before Mistress Eiliad could argue further, Sarken cut the connection, and the image in the mirror faded, leaving only his reflection staring back at him.