Moonblood Wastes

Chapter 8 Wolf’s Bane

The Well’s heart shattered under Lin Che’s palm, erupting in a supernova of light. Chains binding the villagers snapped, celestial energy exploding outward in waves. Azrael’s scream was lost in the roar as the Siphon Well collapsed, its crystals shattering like frozen tears.

Lin Che fell backward, gasping, the star in his chest now a cold lump of ash. For a moment, silence—then Urgal’s voice, louder than ever, "Finally, freedom."

Pain lanced through his skull. He clutched his head, eyes rolling back as silver fur erupted from his skin, bones cracking into a more bestial shape. "Lin Che!" Su Zhiyin reached for him, but Vorath held her back.

"Don’t! He’s not in control." The hybrid’s voice was grim. "That’s Urgal wearing his skin."

Indeed, when Lin Che stood, his gaze was feral, devoid of human recognition. He turned on Su Zhiyin, lips curling into a snarl. "You… smell of her," he growled, voice deep and distorted. "The Empress’s stench clings to you."

Su Zhiyin froze, though her hands tightened around her flute. "It’s me, Su Zhiyin. The one who fought beside you. Remember?"

Urgal’s laugh was a low, menacing rumble. "I remember weakness. You hinder him. You pollute him."

Vorath stepped forward, claws at the ready. "Then we’ll fight you both. Just like old times, pup."

But before he could lunge, Varyn materialized between them, bowing low. "Wait, First’s vessel. Hear the stars’ whisper."

Urgal’s attention snapped to the wolf-spirit. "Speak, worm, before I tear out your tongue."

Varyn remained calm. "The Celestial Court has a new weapon. A wolfsbane forged from the bones of your fallen kin. They plan to use it at the next eclipse."

Lin Che’s form wavered, a flicker of human doubt in his eyes. "How… do you know?"

"Because I served them," Varyn said, raising their hood to reveal a Celestial brand on their forehead. "Until I saw the truth in your eyes, Keybearer. The Court fears freedom more than death."

Urgal snarled, but Lin Che’s voice fought through: "Prove it. Help us stop them."

Varyn nodded, and from their cloak, they drew a map—etched on bone, glowing with forbidden runes. "This leads to the Wolfsbane Forge. Destroy it, and the Court loses their only weapon against you."

Su Zhiyin stepped forward, flute now glowing with a soothing melody. "Lin Che… if you can hear me, fight him. We need you, not the god."

The music cut through the haze. Urgal’s grip on Lin Che’s mind faltered, and he fell to one knee, breathing ragged. "S… Su?"

"Yes, it’s me. Hold on." She played faster, the notes a lifeline. "Remember your father’s words—the moon lies, but the wolf never does. You’re the wolf. Your choice."

With a roar, Lin Che shoved Urgal’s consciousness aside, reclaiming control. His fur receded, though the star tattoos on his face remained. "Thanks," he panted. "That… wasn’t easy."

Vorath clapped him on the back, harder than necessary. "No kidding. Next time, warn us before you turn into a rage-monster, yeah?"

Varyn handed over the bone map. "The Forge is in the Hollow Mountains, where the first Wolf God fell. The Court believes you’re too weakened to attack."

Lin Che studied the map, resolve hardening. "They thought wrong. We strike at dawn."

As the group prepared to leave, a villager approached—an old man with a scar across his cheek. "Lin Che," he said, voice trembling. "We… we’re sorry. For what we did."

Lin Che met his gaze. "You were trying to protect me. I know now."

The man nodded, tears in his eyes. "Your father… he was a good man. He died so you could live."

"I’ll make sure his sacrifice wasn’t in vain," Lin Che said, turning to the horizon. The Hollow Mountains loomed, their peaks shrouded in storm clouds.

Su Zhiyin joined him, her flute silent for once. "Are you sure about this? You’re still weak."

He smiled faintly. "I have to be sure. Otherwise, everything they took—my family, my home—it all means nothing."

Vorath snorted. "Sentiment aside, let’s move. I want to gut some gods before lunch."

The Wolfsbane Forge was a cavern of bone and flame, its walls lined with the remains of ancient wolves. At its center, a massive anvil pulsed with dark energy, and hanging above it was a spear—its tip carved from a Wolf God’s fang.

Azrael stepped forward, flanked by new Reapers—their armor now infused with wolfsbane venom. "Welcome, abomination. Did you really think we’d leave this unguarded?"

Lin Che’s totem burned at the sight of the spear. "You’re obsessed with killing what you can’t control."

"Control is overrated," Azrael said, raising his hand. "Burn them."

Reapers surged forward, their blades coated in green fire—wolfsbane flames, designed to weaken Urgal’s power. Lin Che dodged, but the heat seared his skin, and he felt Urgal’s presence retreating, afraid.

"Vorath! Take the left flank!" Su Zhiyin shouted, her flute summoning a wall of ice to block the flames. "Lin Che—go for the anvil!"

He nodded, leaping over a Reaper’s head. The anvil’s pulse was hypnotic, each beat a reminder of the Court’s cruelty. "Destroy it," Urgal urged. "But hurry—I can’t protect you much longer."

As Lin Che raised his fist to strike, Azrael appeared before him, spear aimed at his heart. "Farewell, Keybearer."

But the blow never landed. Varyn threw themselves between them, the spear piercing their chest. "Go!" they gasped. "Now!"

Lin Che didn’t hesitate. He struck the anvil with all his strength, and the cavern began to collapse, wolfsbane crystals shattering like glass. Azrael cursed and fled, leaving his Reapers to die.

In the chaos, Lin Che grabbed Varyn, pulling them to safety. "Why?" he asked. "Why sacrifice yourself?"

Varyn smiled weakly. "Because… freedom is worth dying for. And you… you’re the first to remember that in centuries."

With that, their form dissolved into stardust, leaving only the bone map in Lin Che’s hand.

Back at the village, Su Zhiyin cleaned Lin Che’s wounds, her touch gentle. "We did it. The Forge is destroyed."

"For now," he said, staring at the map, where a new symbol had appeared—a double moon, one silver, one bloodred. "But the Court has more plans. I can feel it."

Vorath grunted, eating a piece of jerky. "Let them. We’ll be ready."

Lin Che nodded, but his gaze lingered on the symbol. Double moon. The next eclipse, he realized, would be a blood moon—a rare event, and the Court’s next opportunity.

"We need to train," he said, standing. "Urgal and I… we need to learn to fight as one, not two."

Su Zhiyin smiled, raising her flute. "Then let’s start now. I’ll play the rhythm of balance. You follow it."

As the first notes filled the air, Lin Che closed his eyes, focusing on the melody—and the wolf within.

The blood moon rose on the horizon, its light a promise of war. And somewhere in the Celestial Court, the Empress smiled, holding a shard of wolfsbane… and a new plan.