The Decision
780 Words
The Future Alpha's office was silent.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the towering skyline of the Inferno Pack's capital. Neon lights shimmered below, while far beyond the city, the massive silhouette of the Forbidden Volcano stood beneath the night sky, its peak glowing faintly with molten fire.
Prince Draven Ashfire stood before the window with both hands tucked into the pockets of his black trousers. He wore a fitted black shirt with the sleeves rolled neatly to his forearms, the crimson emblem of the Inferno Pack stitched over his chest.
His golden eyes never left the distant volcano.
A sharp knock broke the silence.
"Come in."
The door slid open.
Three elite commanders entered and saluted.
"My Prince."
Draven acknowledged them with a slight nod.
Commander Rowan stepped forward.
"The sentence has been carried out."
"The prisoner has been cast into the deepest chamber of the Forbidden Volcano."
The room fell silent.
Draven neither moved nor spoke.
The only sound was the faint hum of the city's lights beyond the glass.
After a long pause, another commander finally gathered the courage to speak.
"My Prince..."
"May I ask a question?"
"You may."
The commander lowered his head respectfully.
"Was there truly no other choice?"
Draven remained silent.
His expression revealed nothing.
Commander Rowan continued carefully.
"The entire pack believed you would stop the punishment."
"Many of the warriors still don't understand."
"They trusted your judgment."
"They thought..."
"...you would stand in her defense."
The office grew heavy with silence.
Finally...
Draven turned away from the window.
His gaze swept across the three men.
"I did what was necessary."
His voice was calm.
Cold.
Without hesitation.
Rowan frowned.
"Even if the entire realm condemns your decision?"
Draven's expression never changed.
"The realm is free to judge me."
"I have no intention of defending myself."
The commanders exchanged uncertain glances.
For years they had served beside Draven.
They knew him as a man who never acted without reason.
Yet tonight...
His decision seemed impossible to understand.
One commander spoke quietly.
"My Prince..."
"...do you regret it?"
Draven looked toward the volcano once more.
"No."
"I made the right decision."
His answer came instantly.
Firm.
Absolute.
Yet somehow...
None of them felt convinced.
Not because he sounded uncertain.
But because his eyes never left the burning mountain.
After several long moments, Draven spoke again.
"This matter ends tonight."
"No rumors."
"No speculation."
"No one is to approach the Forbidden Volcano."
"If anyone disobeys..."
"They answer to me."
"That is an order."
The three commanders straightened immediately.
"Yes, Your Highness."
They saluted one final time before quietly leaving the office.
The automatic door slid shut.
Silence returned.
Draven remained standing alone.
Minutes passed.
Then more.
The city behind him continued its ordinary rhythm.
Vehicles moved along glowing streets.
Tower lights blinked in the distance.
Life went on...
As though nothing had happened.
Draven slowly closed his eyes.
For the first time that night...
He exhaled.
A long...
Heavy breath.
Then he opened his eyes again.
The volcano still stood on the horizon.
Burning.
Unmoving.
Unreadable.
"...It's over."
Whether he was trying to convince himself...
Or the mountain...
Even he no longer knew.
---
Far away...
Beyond the forests...
Beyond the black cliffs...
A lone figure walked beneath the fading moon.
Astera pulled the hood of her blue cloak lower over her face as the first lights of morning appeared on the horizon.
The tiny dragon trotted faithfully behind her, its red-and-gold fur glowing softly whenever the morning sunlight touched it.
It stayed so close that it nearly stepped on the back of her boots.
Astera stopped.
She looked down at the little creature.
"You can still turn back."
The dragon blinked at her.
She pointed toward the wilderness behind them.
"You're free."
"You don't have to follow me."
The little dragon tilted its head...
Then quietly walked to her side again.
Astera sighed.
"I warned you."
Without another word, she continued walking.
The dragon followed.
It never fell behind.
After several hours, the familiar outline of a quiet town appeared in the distance.
Astera stopped walking.
Her silver eyes rested on a small house standing near the edge of the forest.
Her home.
The place where countless memories had been made.
The place she had believed she would return to after every journey.
Now...
She wasn't sure if she still had the right.
She looked at the dragon beside her.
"I need to go home..."
"...just once."
"I have to see what's left."
Adjusting the backpack on her shoulder, Astera took a slow breath and began walking toward the house, unaware that this return would reveal that nothing in her old life had remained the same.
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