oath of blood

The snow was falling gently, as if the sky wept with her.

Mira slowly opened her window, and the cold slipped into her room….just as loneliness crept into her heart.

She whispered,

"How I miss Nara... But what she did was far from ordinary... Her words were sharper than any blade."

She sighed, swallowing the lump in her throat in silence.

"It's been a month... and not a single word from Jack..."

Two tears of disappointment welled up in her eyes….silent tears that complained to no one, yet said everything.

Still, she stood up. She wore her finest clothes and headed downstairs.

Her stepmother looked at her suspiciously.

"You woke up late today... Is something wrong?"

Mira gave a polite smile.

"No, I just stayed up a bit... Couldn't sleep."

She hurried to the kitchen, where her grandmother was preparing lunch.

Grandmother:

"Lunch will be ready soon, my dear."

Mira pulled out a chair and sat beside her, her gaze drifting to the window.

"Winter is beautiful, but gloomy... If it were spring, we'd go for a picnic or a little trip. Even going to the market feels exhausting these days."

Her grandmother chuckled softly.

"You used to love winter when you were little. You'd laugh and dance under the pouring rain. What's wrong now, my daughter? You look so sad."

Mira lowered her head, then suddenly burst out:

"I feel like I have no luck at all... Why do I have to fight everything? Why can't someone, just once, fight for me?"

Her grandmother tried to calm her down:

"Maybe Jack is just busy, he must have work to attend to"

Mira cut her off, her voice rising:

"Work?! The whole world is crashing down on me! Rumors are spreading, Governor Sam wants to break off the engagement! And until now—I haven't seen him, haven't heard a single word from him! What kind of love is this?!"

Her voice trembled:

"Was I just a pawn to strengthen his influence? A game?!"

Her grandmother held her hand gently:

"If you're not okay, break off the engagement. This is your life, Mira, and it's long. Your future, your children, your heart... Send him a letter, or go see him. And if he doesn't deserve you, then close this door yourself."

Mira fell silent for a moment, then whispered:

"I'll give him one more month... If he doesn't come, then there will never be a meeting between us again."

---

Days passed, until a bitterly cold evening arrived…..exactly one week later.

A masked man entered the palace in silence, like the night itself walking on tiptoes.

He wore a black mask. His two companions waited below, near the back wall, where the guards were distracted by cups of tea and warm conversation.

He climbed the wooden staircase and stopped in front of Mira's room.

He opened the door carefully…

There she was, sitting quietly, a feather pen in hand, writing in her journal.

The fireplace crackled, and the candles melted slowly beside her.

Mira froze in shock…but she quickly regained her composure.

"What do you want? I doubt you came to steal my room."

The man stood still for a moment, then spoke in a hoarse voice:

"I thought you were asleep... I was looking for something….food. My children are starving, and the cold is brutal. I didn't dare enter your father's chambers, I assumed your room would be empty... I only meant to steal... they'll die of hunger."

His eyes welled up, and a quiet sob escaped his throat.

Mira looked at him for a moment, then took a deep breath:

"Why didn't you come to him directly? You would've found help."

She walked toward her chest:

"I'll give you some money for tonight. Tomorrow, we'll talk. Maybe I can find you work to support your family."

But just as she turned her back—

Something pressed tightly against her mouth.

A piece of cloth… a suffocating scent…

She struggled. Fought.

But darkness slipped into her eyes…

And everything went black.

---

Daylight broke over her closed eyelids.

Mira opened her eyes slowly, then shut them again from the sharp light.

She opened them once more, breathing heavily.

Two men sat beside her.

Another man was driving the carriage swiftly.

Cold wind slapped her cheeks.

She panicked.

"Where... are you taking me?!"

One of them replied coldly:

"Stay silent."

The carriage came to a sudden halt.

One of the men grabbed her shoulder roughly.

"Get down."

She stepped down hesitantly

Suddenly, another carriage was waiting.

Its door opened... and out stepped Nara.

Beside her stood Taleen.

BOOM.

It was as if something had slapped Mira's heart violently.

"Nara... you?! Why? We... we were friends..."

But Nara remained silent, still, not even looking at her face.

Taleen stepped forward, her eyes filled with contempt:

"Did you really think you could get away with what you've done?"

Mira, confused:

"What… what did I do?!"

Taleen snapped:

"You took Jack from me… and stole Sam's heart. Everything fell apart because of you! They're enemies now. Are you happy?!"

Mira, with honesty:

"I did nothing... The love between Jack and me was mutual."

Taleen let out a bitter laugh:

"Mutual? Let's see if his love still stands… after what's about to happen."

She pulled a pouch of coins from her pocket and tossed it on the ground near the man—like tossing a bone to a dog.

The man clenched his jaw, anger flashing in his eyes, but he remained silent.

Then Taleen grabbed Nara's hand, and they climbed back into the carriage—

Leaving Mira shivering in the empty space.

Mira screamed with all the pain in her chest, her sobs raw and broken:

"Naraaa! Weren't we friends?! Why did you do this?! NARAAAAAA!"

One of the men approached, a knife in hand.

He reached for the hem of her dress, intending to cut it.

At that moment, Taleen glanced from the carriage window.

She smiled with cruel satisfaction, then signaled the driver to leave.

Mira screamed, her voice burning with fury:

"You won't get away with this! My father… he'll never let you live!"

The man let out a cold laugh:

"Do you think I'm afraid of your father? Heh… Look at you. Shouldn't you be on your knees, begging for mercy?"

Mira's voice turned steady, icy:

"You disgusting coward."

Another man behind her laughed:

"Heh… Now I see why Raylan likes her."

Mira froze. She whispered:

"Raylan…?"

"Yes, Raylan..."

He paused for a moment, then added:

"We turned down the minister's daughter's offer. We could've negotiated with Jack to save you… but the Minister of Justice is more powerful. He has shadow gangs at his command."

He stepped closer, whispering seriously:

"Listen carefully. Get into the carriage. Take off your dress. We'll tear it and stain it with rabbit blood. They must believe… you're dead."

Mira stared in shock:

"Why?!"

The man said firmly:

"Raylan would've never dealt with you if you weren't honest. And we... we won't betray him. We're taking you far away…..until the minister is dealt with. Then, you'll return."

Mira stared at him, whispering:

"How can I trust you? You said your children were starving….and now here I am!"

The man met her eyes and said with quiet sincerity:

"I wasn't lying. My children are hungry. But I will not hurt an innocent person for money.

Get in the carriage, and do what I asked. We'll save you… in our own way."

Mira climbed into the carriage slowly—

Sad. Lost.

Where would fate take her now?

---

Scene – Inside the carriage (Nara & Taleen)

Inside the carriage, Nara was gently wiping away her tears, whispering anxiously:

"You said we wouldn't hurt her… just scare her! Taleen, you promised!"

Taleen looked at her coldly, gripping her hand tightly:

"Be strong, Nara... I won't let her die slowly. She needs to feel what I felt. She must suffer as we did."

Nara bit her lip, trembling:

"But… the worst thing you can do to a girl is destroy her dignity.

What if Jack finds out? Or Sam?

We're not playing games anymore… These are powerful men. If we're exposed, we could be killed."

Taleen's whisper turned sharp and commanding:

"Stay calm! Your fear will ruin everything. We'll pretend we knew nothing.

We thought she was kidnapped by thieves… simple."

Nara fell silent… but she couldn't forget.

In her mind, Mira's broken scream echoed again and again:

"Naraaa... weren't we friends?!"

She shut her eyes tightly.

That innocent face. That voice.

Something deep inside her… cracked silently.

Scene – Inside the Carriage (Mira)

The carriage sped through a snow-covered land, dotted with lifeless, bare trees.

The sky was gray, and the wind howled with a cold, mournful tune.

Mira sat in silence, wrapped in a coarse cloak.

She asked in a trembling voice:

"Where… are you taking me?"

The masked man answered calmly:

"We'll place you somewhere safe. And send word to Raylan."

She looked at him with distrust… but she was weak, exhausted.

Her gaze lifted to the small window, where she watched the wheel tracks disappear beneath the falling snow….

As if she was being erased from the world.

Meanwhile, the palace grounds buzzed with frantic movement.

Guards were posted on every corner, eyes glued to the earth, hearts heavy with loss.

Arthur had been scouring the roads since dawn.

His eyes were bloodshot from sleeplessness, his breath labored.

In the palace courtyard stood Martin….Mira's father… sweating despite the cold.

Behind him, Jack and Sam stood, tense and silent.

Suddenly, one of the guards ran toward them.

His face pale. Eyes glistening with sorrow.

Martin's voice trembled:

"What is it?!"

The guard stopped.

He extended his hand.. ….

A torn, blood-soaked dress lay within it.

Martin gasped:

"No… nooooo!"

Before he could say more, Jack lunged forward, slapping him across the face:

"What are you saying?! Where did you get that?! Tell me it's not Mira's!"

Sam stepped closer, whispering like his heart might collapse:

"Say… say it's not hers…"

Martin staggered back a step….

Then collapsed to the ground, as if life had drained from him.

He fell unconscious.

Jack shouted:

"Get water! Now!"

Someone brought a cup of cold water, splashing it on Martin's face.

He opened his eyes with a choked sob:

"My daughter… my daughter… What have they done to her?!"

He beat his chest with his fist:

"It's my fault… If only I hadn't left her alone… If only… It's all my fault!"

Sam knelt before him, embracing him tightly:

"Don't cry, Martin… We won't rest until we find her.

Even if they've taken her to the wolves' den… we'll bring her back!"

Scene – The Road to Niras

Far away from them,

The carriage continued its journey through the mountains, snow blanketing the edges,

Silence surrounding them except for soft breaths.

Mira whispered:

"Haven't we arrived yet?!"

The masked man answered calmly:

"We're in the south now... in Valdara.

But we'll stay in the village of Niras until we receive word from Raylan."

Mira looked through the small window...

White lands, silent trees, and nothing familiar.

She murmured in a choked voice:

"Could it be that my father hasn't searched for me yet?!"

The man looked at her seriously and said:

"Leave everything behind.

What matters now is survival. Don't think about what's behind us, but what awaits us ahead..."

Mira curled inward silently, swallowing all she felt,

While the carriage pressed on toward the unknown.

---

At last, the carriage stopped...

Before a sleepy village nestled between mountain peaks, wrapped in fog as if a dream unwilling to wake.

The man stepped down first, then opened the door for her:

"Here we are. The village of Niras...

I hope you find some rest here."

Mira quietly stepped out, looking around at the small stone houses, the shuttered windows—everything strange... and cold.

She turned toward him:

"You haven't told me your name yet."

He chuckled lightly, shrugging:

"Does it matter to you?"

She looked at him seriously, as if fighting back a breakdown with a faint smile:

"Of course it matters to me...

I am a prisoner of a fate I don't understand, with a man I don't know, in a place I don't know...

The least I need now is to know your name."

She paused for a moment, then looked up at him.

There was something strange in his eyes….a mix of fatigue and honesty.

"Call me... Haroun."

He said it as if he hadn't spoken his name in years.

Mira smiled with a slight sarcasm:

"Haroun… a good name."

Then she whispered to herself:

"At last, the unknown has a name."

---

Scene – The First Step in Niras

Mira stepped down from the carriage and stood on the snowy doorstep...

Despite the cold, the village looked indescribably beautiful.

Children ran through the snow, throwing white balls and laughing,

Unafraid of the frost, undeterred by the wind.

She looked at Haroun with surprise and a small smile:

"Let's see what adventures you have in store for me, Niras..."

Before she could finish, seven children suddenly ran toward them, shouting excitedly:

"Dad! Dad!!"

Mira stared at them in astonishment:

"All of them your children?!"

Haroun laughed:

"And why the surprise?"

Mira's cheeks flushed slightly:

"No... nothing."

Suddenly, a woman emerged from a small wooden hut, her hair pulled back tightly, her gaze sharp. She said sarcastically:

"And who's this? Did you bring me... your mistress?!"

Haroun burst out laughing:

"Haha! Oh, the minds of women...

I'll tell you everything later. For now, let the guest rest."

Mira entered the small hut... The place was cold, no trace of firewood in the stove.

She sat shivering, hugging herself with her arms:

"How... how do you endure this cold?! Lady, your children are little!"

The woman laughed openly and said:

"Hahaha, you seem wealthy!"

Mira looked at her in surprise, then smiled faintly.

Haroun entered and sat near the door, looking at his wife:

"Listen, this girl was a victim of thieves and bandits... we rescued her.

Take care of her while I go hunting."

Mira looked at him astonished, but he winked at her lightly.

She understood immediately... he didn't want anyone to know her true story.

She turned to his wife and said kindly:

"I hope my presence here doesn't bother you."

The woman smiled, her gaze now warmer:

"No, dear... you're welcome among us."

---

Haroun returned from his long hunting trip, a broad smile lighting his face, accompanied by the loud laughter of children.

The children, roasting meat over the fire, shouted excitedly:

"Barbecue, yay! Barbecue!"

Haroun laughed softly:

"Looks like the kids missed me more than you did,"

His wife looked at him with a sarcastic smile:

"Seems you're right."

Haroun smiled, half mockingly, half sadly:

"Your heart has grown cold, my wife...

I was gone for months, and you didn't welcome me the way I wanted, the way my heart loves…"

His wife, jokingly:

— "And what am I supposed to do? Bow to you?!

Welcome home, Haroun!"

Haroun laughed loudly:

— "You'll settle your score with time... mock all you want."

Mira, hesitantly interrupting:

— "Ahem, ahem... we're here."

His wife laughed:

— "At least respect the guest's presence."

---

The quiet of the night settled as the children fell asleep,

Mira sat lost in thought, filled with sadness and worry:

"My father... sweet Nara... how did she become so cruel?

Is Jack still searching for me?"

---

Scene – Morning in Niras

Mira approached Haroun anxiously:

"Listen, Haroun... I fear for my father.

I want to send him a message."

Haroun firmly replied:

"No, that's too dangerous for all of us... You must be careful."

Mira insisted with determination:

"My father will remain silent for my sake...

Only my father—neither Jack nor anyone else."

Haroun hesitated for a moment, then said:

"Alright... if I hear of anyone going there, I'll tell them to carry the message discreetly."

A week passed. Haroun approached Mira:

"Is your message ready?"

Mira answered confidently:

"Yes, but listen... I only trust Arthur.

I'll give him the letter, with secret words my father knows well... to make sure it's really from me."

Mira handed the letter to Haroun, who took it carefully and attentively.

Scene – The Arrival of the Letter

The letter reached Arthur, who read it quickly.

Then he ran swiftly to Martin, shouting:

"Sir! Sir! I need you alone!"

Martin, his face pale, his long chin trembling, his eyes red from crying, approached slowly.

Arthur, tears of joy shining in his eyes:

"I know you're tired, but this letter... please, read it."

Martin, his voice weak:

"Read it to me... I have no strength."

He opened the letter with trembling hands and read aloud:

** "Dear Arthur,**

To make sure it's me, Mira, here are the words of the song I sang to you...

After all, tell my father I'm safe,

I'm with Raylan's men,

Though they are poor, I'm happy among them.

Beware the Minister of Justice and Nara's family, they are snakes with many faces.

Don't worry about me, I will be fine.

Just take care of yourself.

With my kisses..."

Martin looked at Arthur with tear-filled eyes, then whispered:

"Mira..."

He drew a shaky breath and raised his head toward Arthur:

"Where is the man who brought the letter?"

Arthur, hesitating:

"I don't know, sir...

He gave me the paper, asked my name... then vanished."

Martin reached out, took the letter from Arthur's hand, studied it for a moment, then scanned the hallways with his eyes:

"I opened the letter... searched for him... but I couldn't find him."

Suddenly, Martin sat on the ground as if all his strength had been drained.

He covered his face with his hands and burst into tears:

"Ah... my heart...

All this time, all this while, she was there... alone..."

Arthur approached him, sat beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder:

"At least she's safe, sir...

But we must be cautious. Nara's family and Taleen must have set a trap."

Martin slowly lifted his head, his eyes red, tears still on his cheeks...

Then wiped them roughly, stood up, his voice sharp as a blade:

"I won't just warn them, Arthur...

I will be a wolf... tearing their flesh one by one!

My daughter... a victim of their corruption and greed...

And now... my turn has come!"

Arthur looked at him steadily, answering confidently:

"And I will be behind you... step by step."

Scene – Niras, 1 PM

Mira sat at the edge of the hut, watching the children run over the snow, laughing, tumbling, and drawing faces with their icy fingers on the ground.

She laughed with them, threw a small snowball their way... and they ran after it:

"We'll defeat you, Mira!"

"You won't stand a chance against us!"

From a distance, Haroun approached holding a letter, his expression changed, his eyes cautious.

Mira asked him:

"What is it?"

He handed her the letter quietly.

She opened it and read:

** "Let Mira come to me, I will protect her... Raylan."**

She looked at Haroun, her eyes shining with a mix of hesitation and reassurance.

---

Scene – The Farewell Moment

Mira began packing her things, a small bag on her back, a heavy cloak like a mantle of hope.

The children ran toward her, each hugging her in their own way.

Little Lulu hung around her neck and said:

"Don't go!"

And little Arthur secretly slipped a wooden toy into her pocket without her noticing.

She hugged Haroun's wife tightly, whispering in her ear:

"Thank you... from my heart."

Haroun approached her, smiling:

"Our path will be difficult, miss..."

Mira answered with a confident smile:

"It's alright, the view is enchanting... feels like I'm going on a journey.

I love to travel, hahaha."

Haroun looked at her with a fatherly gaze:

"Everyone's attached to you... Lulu, Arthur...

They're the most affected by your departure."

Mira looked at the children from afar and whispered:

"If all ends peacefully...

I'll bring them to my father's palace.

I'll prepare a home for you there... for you and your family."

Haroun laughed warmly:

"That talk is too early, castle girl."

Scene – On the way to Valdara

Mira climbed into the carriage, sat by the window, watching Niras shrink in her eyes...

The village that had embraced her when the world was cruel.

When she didn't know who she was, only that she was "a human trying to survive."

The carriage moved slowly over the snow, toward the unknown once again...

But this time, Raylan awaited.

---

Scene – Before arriving at Valdara

The snowstorm intensified...

Strong winds whipped the thick snow, striking the carriage harshly until the horse could barely move, the cold piercing to the bone.

Suddenly, one of the carriage wheels broke violently, and everyone stopped.

Haroun got down from the carriage, his voice dry:

"Stay in the carriage, I'll fix it."

Mira spoke to him with a worried tone:

"Haroun? Can you hear me?"

But no answer.

The wind howled, visibility was almost zero...

She looked out the window, seeing nothing but the white snowy mountains surrounding them from all sides.

She shouted in a broken voice:

"Harooooon! Harooooon! Where have you disappeared to?"

No reply.

Summoning courage, she slowly opened the carriage door and stepped into unbearable frost.

She untied the horse from the carriage and tried to walk beside it.

Snow covered the entire ground... and the mountains enclosed her.

After some distance, through the dim snow haze, she spotted a dark opening...

"Is that a cave?" she whispered to herself, quickening her steps toward it.

The sound of the horse's groan rose as it struggled on the ground.

She gently placed her hand on its back:

"Come on... just a little more, we're almost there."

Inside the Cave

Mira entered the cave, a faint warmth surrounding her.

The horse leaned exhausted on the ground.

She took a candle from her bag, lit it with a large stick, and the light illuminated the nearby rocky walls.

She began humming a soft melody, her eyes shimmering with fatigue... then she dozed off slightly.

Suddenly, footsteps and voices of men approached.

Mira jolted awake, catching her breath anxiously.

Her eyes searched the darkness and found a small burrow beneath a rock.

She tried to crawl to hide, but before she could, five masked men entered the cave.

---

The Unknown Encounter

One of the men stepped forward, his voice harsh:

"Who is this? Who are you?"

Mira looked at them firmly and replied with resilience:

"I'm just resting here... waiting for my brother to bring food."

Another man laughed mockingly:

"And who is this brother of yours?!"

Mira answered firmly:

"I don't think that's any of your business."

The men exchanged glances; one muttered:

"What a girl..."

"Her clothes don't look noble, could she be a servant?"

Another added

"Servants don't have such eyes... her eyelids haven't even blinked."

One approached closer, staring sharply:

"Won't you tell us who you are and where you come from?! I don't think you're hiding here for no reason."

The men looked at her with disdain, whispering:

"She looks like an easy girl... all alone here, without protectors."

Their laughter filled the cave loudly, and one of them approached, smiling slyly, reaching out to touch her, whispering:

"Come here, beautiful... don't be afraid."

But Mira stood firm, breathing deeply, then in a swift move she drew her shining sword, like lightning.

The men froze, waiting for what would come...

The laughter abruptly stopped as her blade sliced into one of them, blood flowing quickly, silence enveloping the cave.

She smiled slyly and calmly, like a white wolf ready to hunt.

"I am the white wolf, hehe."

She shouted at the top of her lungs, running:

"Yaaaah!"

And stabbed her dagger into the heart of the nearest man.

Then she looked at the rest with eyes sharp as frost on the coldest winter nights:

"Who's next?!"

The men looked at each other, a moment of silence before the storm.

One muttered as he wiped blood from his hand:

"She killed Shadi... she's not joking!"

The second gasped mockingly:

"Just one? Let's finish her off together."

Suddenly...

The first man shouted:

"Attack!!!"

The three rushed at her all at once...one from the right, another from behind, and the third pulling a twisted knife from his waist.

But Mira was ready.

She bent at the last moment, spinning like a whirlwind,

and with her sharp sword, she sliced the tendons of the first man who tried to grab her from behind.

A sharp scream filled the cave as the man ran to the wall, writhing in pain.

The second jumped at her with his knife, but she blocked the attack with her leather-wrapped forearm,

then struck him with her elbow on his nose until it bled, and kicked him in the chest, sending him flying to the ground.

Only the third remained, his expression shifting between anger and fear.

He grabbed a large stone from the ground and charged at her, shouting:

"You'll die here, you arrogant one!"

But Mira leapt backward gracefully,

then stepped forward with force, striking him on the temple with the edge of her sword until he collapsed unconscious.

The fourth man stood trembling,

his eyes shifting between the faces of his battered comrades and the lone girl standing in the cave like an upright sword.

Mira advanced toward him slowly...

her gaze as sharp as knives.

She raised her sword slightly and whispered:

"Will you wait your turn...?"

The man screamed:

"Nooo! It's not my business! You're all crazy!!"

He ran at full speed, disappearing into the depths of the snow...

And Mira remained alone, in the middle of the cave...

breathing heavily, her clothes stained with snow and blood,

but she did not bow.

She raised her sword high and whispered:

"I am not a weak girl... and I never will be."

---

Scene – The Oath of Blood

The sky was cloaked in the fire of dusk...

The trees stood in silence, and the snow cracked beneath Mira's staggering steps.

She stood at the cave's entrance, her eyes fixed on the horizon.

"Dear God… the sun is dying… Where are you, Haroun?"

She grabbed the horse's reins, tightened her bag on her back, and walked forward...

One step… then another.

The wind tangled her hair.

Her eyes searched the ground like she was hunting for the heartbeat of a ghost.

Suddenly…

A man sprawled on the snow, still, unmoving.

She let go of the reins and ran to him with all her strength, her heart pounding like war drums.

"Haroun!!!"

She dropped to her knees beside him, hands trembling as they touched his shoulder.

A + sign, carved deeply into his back with a sharp blade…

"Who did this to you?"

She laid her head on his chest...

No sound.

No heartbeat.

"No… Nooooo…"

She struck his chest with her fists, desperate.

"Please wake up... Please, don't leave me... Not now!"

One hit. Then another...

Then suddenly, his eyelids fluttered.

A broken voice escaped his pale lips:

"M-my lady… some men… passed here…

They tricked me… ambushed me...

Killed me…

You must run… my time… is done…"

"No! Don't say that! Don't leave me now! Wake up!"

She screamed with all her being, a cry that shattered the mountains:

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

She laid her head against his chest, sobbing in broken gasps.

"Please wake up… please…"

Then slowly… she lifted her head.

Her eyes no longer filled with tears…

They burned with fire.

"It was them… the ones in the cave…

That coward who ran…"

She clenched her hand, dipped it into the blood seeping from Haroun's chest...

Lifted her hand high and whispered:

"By my blood…

If I don't cut his throat…

Then I am not Mira…

I am not the White Wolf."

---

Scene – The Hunt Begins

With sharp eyes, Mira mounted the horse.

She was no longer just a girl searching for herself…

She was a spirit of vengeance, bound by blood and loyalty.

She reached the cart, opened the storage, pulled out a large cloth and wrapped Haroun's body with care, tying him securely onto the horse's back…..protecting him, even in silence.

"I won't leave you here… not in this cold… not among these wolves."

She climbed behind him, one hand on the reins… the other gripping her sword.

Her direction? Unknown.

But her heart knew the path.

She rode through the thick snow, wind screaming against her… but she didn't flinch.

She rode like death's shadow, hunting a killer…

In a world where only white and blood existed.

Suddenly...

She spotted footprints in the snow…..still untouched by wind.

Her heart galloped faster than the horse.

She dismounted, knelt, touched the prints, pressing down as if sealing a vow.

"I see you now…

You can't hide from my eyes."

She unsheathed her dagger, slashed her palm until blood spilled, then smeared it over the snow.

"By my blood…

If I don't slit your throat…

Then I am not Mira…

I am not the White Wolf."

---

The night had fallen.

The snow hadn't stopped.

The wind howled…

But Mira howled with it.

She whispered:

"I won't sleep… I won't rest until I find you.

You will not escape the blood of my friend…

You will not survive."

Her skin was freezing.

Her lips were cracked.

But her eyes…

Her eyes were blazing.

She moved like the shadow of death itself…

Chasing a killer in a land of white and blood.