Chapter 14: The Wolf in the Shadows

The cold morning mist wrapped Grandtenia in an eerie silence.

Lito moved quickly, keeping to the lesser-used paths on the outskirts of Eclain.

The encounter at the tavern and the knowledge he now carried weighed heavily on his mind.

_"I must return to Eden,"_ he thought. _"Before it's too late."_

His hood shadowed his face, his cloak fluttering as he crossed narrow alleys and crumbling walls.

The city still slept uneasily, its streets empty save for the occasional patrol.

He was almost free.

He could see the open fields beyond the last crumbling gate—a breath away from safety.

But fate had other plans.

"Halt!"

A rough voice shattered the stillness.

Three Grandtenian knights, clad in the king's crest, stepped out from behind a broken cart, their swords drawn and eyes hard.

"You there," the leader barked, pointing his blade at Lito. "Show your papers!"

Lito's pulse quickened.

There was no way to talk his way out of this.

He could fight—but drawing a weapon would only bring more guards.

He took a slow step back, calculating—

"Don't even think about running," the knight sneered, stepping closer. "You look suspicious enough already."

_"Not here, not now,"_ Lito thought desperately.

As the knights closed in, one reaching for his shoulder, a sudden, sharp whistle cut through the air.

A blur of black and silver descended from the rooftop.

In an instant, the leading knight cried out, stumbling as a throwing dagger embedded itself in his shoulder.

Before the others could react, a figure in black hooded armor crashed into them—fast, graceful, and merciless.

A slender woman, clad in the worn yet agile gear of a thief, moved like a ghost among them.

With precise strikes, she disabled one knight, knocking the sword from his hand.

The second lunged, only for her to sweep his legs out from under him with a deft spin.

"Move!" she barked at Lito, her voice low and commanding.

Without thinking, he obeyed.

They sprinted together through the maze of alleys, the shouts of furious knights fading behind them.

---

They ran for what felt like hours.

Through twisting backstreets.

Over broken fences.

Across dry riverbeds.

Finally, deep within a forgotten part of the city, they slipped into an abandoned stone building—its windows shattered, its doors hanging crookedly.

Inside, the woman pulled her hood down, revealing her face.

Silver-white hair framed sharp, wolf-like ears atop her head.

Her eyes, a piercing gold, gleamed in the darkness.

She was young—perhaps his age—but there was a wildness about her, a strength carved from a life of hardship.

"You're lucky I was nearby," she said with a small smirk.

Her voice, though rough, carried an undercurrent of warmth.

Lito caught his breath, studying her.

"Who are you?" he asked.

She straightened, placing a hand on her hip proudly.

"Wufia," she said. "Just Wufia."

---

She led him deeper into the building.

Through a hidden doorway and down a narrow staircase, they descended into a wide, underground chamber.

Here, sheltered from the cruel streets above, dozens of children huddled around small fires.

Some laughed, playing with broken toys.

Others simply sat close together, finding comfort in their shared warmth.

Their clothes were threadbare, and their faces thin with hunger.

Yet despite their hardship, the air carried a fragile hope.

When the children saw Wufia, they beamed and ran toward her.

"Wufia!" a small girl cried, throwing her arms around her waist.

"Hey, squirt," Wufia said, laughing and lifting the child easily.

Lito's heart twisted at the sight.

These children were the forgotten ones—the abandoned souls of Grandtenia.

And Wufia… she was their shield, their protector.

---

Lito sat by the largest fire, gathering the children around him.

He pulled out a handful of small, smooth stones from his pouch—ordinary stones, but with a trick he had learned long ago during his time at the orphanage in Loombert.

With a flick of his fingers and a small enchantment, he made the stones dance and spin in the air, glowing faintly with a soft light.

The children's eyes widened in amazement.

"Ooooh!" they gasped, clapping and laughing.

Lito smiled warmly, feeling a pang of nostalgia.

He crafted little animals out of the light—foxes, birds, a tiny dragon—letting them flit around the children who reached out eagerly to touch them.

For a brief moment, their pain was forgotten.

Only wonder remained.

Wufia watched from the shadows, her arms crossed, a small smile tugging at her lips.

"You're good with them," she said softly, once the show ended and the children settled into sleep.

Lito chuckled quietly. "I used to be one of them," he said. "A long time ago."

He stood and faced her, the fire casting golden highlights in his hair.

"I need to tell you something," he said seriously.

Wufia tilted her head curiously.

"I'm not just a traveler," he confessed.

"My name is Lito... and I am the King of Eden."

The words hung heavy in the air.

Wufia blinked, stunned, her arms falling to her sides.

King?

She looked at the gentle, laughing young man before her—and somehow, it made sense.

There was a strength in him.

A kindness that kings rarely possessed.

"You're serious," she said, her voice barely a whisper.

He nodded.

"And I swear," he continued, stepping closer, "I will not forget you, or these children. When I return, I will find a way to help you all.

You deserve a place where you can live freely. Safely."

Wufia's golden eyes softened, her guard finally lowering.

No one had ever made promises like that to her before.

Not without expecting something in return.

---

From a small pouch at his belt, Lito drew a simple but beautiful ring—a slender band of silver, embedded with a tiny gem that glowed faintly.

It was a minor Light Artifact, crafted by Truth back in Eden.

A gift meant for a moment of trust.

He held it out to her.

"This is a Light Ring," he said. "It's small, but its glow will never fade, even in the darkest night.

I give it to you, Wufia, as a sign of our friendship—and a promise that Eden will one day welcome you."

Wufia stared at the ring, overwhelmed.

Slowly, she reached out and took it, cradling it as if it were the most precious thing in the world.

Her voice cracked slightly as she whispered, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Lito smiled gently.

"Just Lito," he said.

---

They sat by the fire until dawn.

Talking quietly.

Sharing small memories.

Two souls from different worlds, bound now by a fragile thread of hope.

When the time came to leave, Wufia led him through the secret tunnels beneath Grandtenia—through ancient aqueducts and abandoned cellars—until they reached the open countryside.

At the threshold of freedom, they paused.

Wufia clasped the glowing ring to her chest.

"I'll hold you to your promise, Lito," she said, her wolfish grin returning.

"And I intend to keep it," he replied warmly.

With a final wave, he disappeared into the morning mist, heading back toward Eden—and the uncertain future that awaited.

To Be Continue....