Aurora's smile reminds me of myself, smiling in the square surrounded by bodies. I can't help but recall everything that I had done. If it weren't for me, my brother, Lilah, the seventh generation of Krystallo kights, and countless innocents would be alive.

  I can't think of a better ending for someone who had committed such atrocities. Rivers of tears cover my face, yet I can't help but paint a gentle smile on my face.

  I close my eyes, anticipating the imminent arrival of pain. However, after a few seconds, nothing happens. The force restraining my arms disappears, and I can move freely.

  I open my eyes in surprise, and when I notice, I see Aurora putting on her dress again. She looks at me for a few seconds with those bright eyes before putting the device back in her mouth and leaving the room.

  I am awakened by the howling of wolves. After spending hours without the courage to leave the room and the tiredness in my body, I succumbed to sleep.

  I garnish the courage and follow the howls that lead me to the entrance of the cave. People are wrapped in a festive atmosphere, and several descend the cliff stairs toward the forest.

  "What's happening?"

  I sense the penetrating gazes of the red wolves passing by me. Some of them bump into me, pushing my shoulder and making me fall. I hear footsteps in front of me and look up to see Aurora.

  "Follow me," she orders.

  Part of me doesn't want to do what she says, but the stares of the wolves are enough to quiet those thoughts.

  We descend the long steps until we reach the forest again. We keep walking until we once again reach the forest village. Unlike before, the village square is filled with people, the atmosphere echoing with laughter and quarrels.

  When I turn, I can no longer locate Aurora. I try to find her in the crowd, but the quantity and ambiance prevent me from doing it. I see the elevated rock platform in the center and head toward it, but I collide with someone on my way.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  "Are you looking for trouble?"

  It's a girl with disheveled crimson hair that reaches her hips. She wears a black tank top and what seems like welding glasses, but what catches my attention the most is her metallic robotic arm. She tenses her face immediately and grabs me by the neck.

  "N-no, it was an accident. It wasn't my intention."

  She tenses her robotic arm, and it begins to glow with bright red lines.

  "Hey! If it isn't the lovely Mukasa," says an energetic voice as I feel someone surrounding me with their arm.

  It's a man with a wolf mask, holding a bottle in his hand.

  "I see you've grown in all the right places!" he says with a huge dumb smile.

  Mukasa releases my neck and clicks her tongue before turning away.

  "What do you say? Do you think I have a chance?"

  "I don't know..." I say doing my best to put on a smile.

  "Aurora! I found your pup."

  Aurora says nothing as she approaches and only nods.

  "Amator, hurry up! Why are you always so late?" a voice shouts from the round stone stage. "Can't you see many are here to hear you?"

  "Sorry, sorry. Some beautiful ladies distracted me."

  He waves goodbye and staggers onto the stage as if he was on a ship in turbulent waters.

  Amator takes what looks like a guitar and stands in the center of the stage. His silhouette changes completely. It's then that I notice the red tattoos covering his entire body.

  The wolf-masked man starts playing his guitar, extending his broad smile, and begins to sing.

  "They call him the Red Wolf..."

  The wolves howl and applaud in excitement as they listen to him sing in unison with the instruments played by the band members. I feel the ground tremble with dance steps, and suddenly, I'm immersed in the rhythm of the song. I can't help but remember Lilah and how much she would have loved to hear this man.

  Amidst it all, someone touches my shoulder. I turn, and immediately, I feel Aurora running her fingers over my forehead.

  "What are you doing?"

  Aurora maintains her expressionless face, but this time, I can sense something bothering her. Then, I feel Lilah scolding me if I don't do anything.

  So, without thinking, I take Aurora's hands and start dancing with her. For the first time, I see Aurora open her eyes in surprise. Unlike Lilah, she is as tense as a rock, but I still keep a smile and do my best.

  We pass some time like that until the music stops, and only the sound of the drum remains.

  "It's time for the Wolf Trials! Let the trials begin!" Amator shouts.

  In the same breath, someone attacks me from behind, placing a cloth over my nose and mouth, I become dizzy and lose consciousness.