"Dong Tower. Southward direction..."
Cautious with every step, I erased the traces of my passage on the pristine snow, my gaze fixed on the dancing flames. Not the first time, I was all too familiar with the patrol rhythm of the guards. Each soft step brought me closer to the fortress wall. In the darkness, my figure crept, seeking a breach.
''...Found it...''
My diminutive size was a boon in this predicament. Tracing the cold stone, I crouched and weaved through the narrow gap beneath the wall. Emerging into the night, I drew a deep breath, the weight of relief settling over as I brushed away the dust. Shifting into my wolf form, the transformation seamless, I darted into the shadows, the ancient trees offering sanctuary as I vanished into the quiet night.
Fleeing beneath the lunar glow, my senses seemed heightened. The only sounds were the whisper of dry leaves and the soft rasp of my claws against the ground, as quietly as possible. Heart pounded a frantic rhythm against my ribs, my breath coming in ragged gasps as I forged a path through the darkness, following the route I'd memorized from the wall.
It took a while to reach the second security perimeter. The flames on the torches flickered weakly, seeming powerless against the cold of the quiet winter. Crouching low, I slipped past the tents housing the guards. The flickering torchlight swept across the area, sharp eyes scanned the surroundings. The rhythmic cadence of patrolling footsteps drew closer, each step a reminder of the risks I faced. Outnumbered but not outmatched, a single mistake could be fatal.
In recent days, the number of guards stationed at the border has decreased significantly due to internal repairs within the military district. Access to the guard posts has been strictly controlled, any unusual intrusions would be immediately reported to the central tower, ready for any eventuality. After midnight, patrol rounds became less frequent, creating brief lulls – a fragile opening for those seeking to slip past the watchful eyes of the guards.
If only, just if only, I could finally escape from here. I will run as fast as my legs will carry me, leaving everything that's been holding me back far behind.
Cloaked in jet-black fur, I merged seamlessly into the night. Slipping past the dewy grass and wild undergrowth, I vanished into the enveloping darkness. As soon as the last soldier disappeared behind the large tent flap, I darted forward, broke through the magical barrier, leaving behind a trail of rustling leaves. Each step a defiance of fate, carrying the scent of damp earth and foliage.
Just a moment of carelessness, the golden opportunity will slip away, success or failure hangs by a thread.
My breath hitched as I gazed across the other side. The stone bridge shimmered in the distance. A vast, frozen river stretched out before me, sparkling under the moonlight. Just one more obstacle and that bridge would lead me to freedom. Never before had I felt so close to happiness. Tears welled up in my eye as I took each step, the cold stone beneath grounded me, a comforting contrast to the turbulent emotions churning within.
Suddenly.
The savage howl of the wolves ripped through the peaceful night.
Panic-stricken, I lunged forward. A whistling arrow nicked my cheek, jolting me off the bridge and crashed into the icy river below. The ice cracked, splintered under my weight, forcing me to revert to my human form. Scrambled to my feet, coughing and gasping, my body trembling uncontrollably. On the bank, the wolves, like demonic figures, their eyes glowing like fiery coals, watched me with predatory intent.
"Don't resist! Come over here slowly."
Tears streamed down my face, blurring my vision. Sobs choked me as I looked at my current situation.
As soon as I believed that fortune had smiled upon me, I stumbled at the brink of happiness.
I don't want to give up, but I'm terrified of the consequences.
Dashing forward like an arrow, I raced across the fractured ice, leaving behind a trail of terrified screams. With each step, the ice cracked beneath, a gamble with death at every turn. Fear and determination warred within.
As I neared the shore, the fragile ice suddenly shattered beneath. Plunged into the icy water, a cold embrace that threatened to consume me. Struggled against the suffocating depths, water filling my lungs. My body, heavy and resigned, sank into the abyss.
Darkness swallowed everything, tethered only by a slender hope. With every ounce of strength left, I clung to the rope, my muscles straining as I pulled myself up from the abyss. Their scornful gazes filled with contempt and anger, pierced through my soul. Huddled on the rocky ledge, I sobbed uncontrollably, my coughs racking my body.
"She is the traitor!"
Soaked to the bone, eyes wide with terror, my skin burned with cold and tears traced icy trails down my cheeks.
"N-No! It wasn't me!"
"It was her! I knew it!"
Lost in the tumult, a dark figure emerged, his form elongated by the flickering fire. He stood there, hands crossed over his chest, smoke as a veil, obscuring his deep-set eyes.
"What the hell were you thinking?! Causing such a commotion, you have no shame at all!"
Cowered, my body trembling as I lowered my head. Tears welled up in my eyes as I gazed up at them with a look of utter desperation.
''Commander, she's trying to flee. She must be the traitor!"
"I'm innocent! I would never betray you!"
"How dare you cause such a disturbance in the military zone and then run away like a coward?! Do you have any idea how many people you've affected, you despicable traitor!"
A hoarse, angry roar escaped his lips. His eyes narrowed dangerously as he bellowed.
"What is wrong with you? You're behaving like a barbarian while we're all trying to survive this war!"
"I'm not! Please...I beg you..."
"While we're all struggling together, you're pulling this stunt!? Was the recent attack your doing? Or do you know something we don't? Do you think you can just slip away like that!? How dare you treat us with such contempt!?!"
"...I'm sorry...It was all my fault for being impulsive! But please, I would never betray you all!"
"I'm starting to doubt your true intentions"
Stiffened, I slowly stood up. Anger and fear burned within me like a wildfire. Then, the blow came, sharp and unexpected, his hand struck, a searing pain that echoed through my skull. The shock and disbelief in their eyes, accompanied by whispers were a stark contrast to the burning sensation on my cheek.
"I'll bring this to the commander's attention. You'll face severe consequences for your betrayal. The empire won't tolerate traitors"
With a disdainful sneer, he wiped his hand on his shirt, his eyes cold and hard as he looked down on the shivering figure. A thunderous shout echoed, startling everyone.
"This is the final warning for those who intend to betray! From this moment on, security will be tightened to the maximum, no loopholes will be allowed! Both inside and outside the walls! I will not tolerate any acts of betrayal anymore!"
A silver lighter clicked open, illuminating a small, dancing flame. The cigarette ignited, filling the air with a thick, acrid smoke that stung my lungs, making me cough violently.
"Don't forget, you're under my command. Any attempt to escape will result in severe consequences. Retrieve her immediately!"
Suddenly, a soldier's hand clamped down on my arm as he hauled me back. Humiliation, a bitter pill, was forced down my throat as I felt the weight of countless gazes. The icy wind and the relentless rain seemed to mock my suffering.
The door, a fleeting illusion, dissolved into nothingness. How naive I was to believe I could break free. No matter how hard I tried, it was impossible.
The endless corridor, bathed in the eerie glow of the flickering flame, amplified the thud of my heavy steps, seemed to stretch into eternity. The rusted cell door creaked open and I was thrust into the darkness. The iron door slammed shut, sealing my fate as I was left alone with my racing heart.
The dream of escape had been a constant companion, nurtured by a carefully laid plan. And then, the opportunity arose when the imposing wall began to crumble, revealing gaping fissures, it was as if fate had opened a door. In the ensuing chaos, I saw my chance.
Aware of the perils that could snuff out my fragile aspirations, the burning desire to return pushed me forward. Forgot that freedom here was a distant dream, as elusive as childhood fantasies. Reasoned that if I didn't move forward, I would fall into the abyss, for the outcome would be the same, so I might as well grasp at the light.
The worn cloth bag, a fragile vessel of memories, lay limp in my grasp. A red, swollen welt throbbed painfully. As I watched the lonely moonlight dance on the fogged window, tears streamed down my face, salty and bitter.
.
The cramped room became my prison, a solitary cell where time stood still. The only company I had was the gnawing emptiness in my stomach and the phantom pains of withdrawal. A few moldy morsels offered little comfort. The drug cravings would hit when I didn't have any tea leaves, leaving me itching and dizzy. The endless nights were haunted by the distant sounds of a world I could no longer be a part of.
Quietly by the windowpane, raindrops lazily fell on the fogged glass. The dim oil lamp had long since gone out, leaving a biting chill to seep into every corner. Huddled on the old wooden bed, the thin blanket failed to provide any warmth.
''It seems like you've overestimated your plan''
With a jolt, I spun around, my eyes darting across the darkened room. There was no one there, just an eerie silence.
Was I going mad?
"That was a futile effort. It's no coincidence this place is called 'Steel Island'. It's naive of you to think reality is so simple"
''Who is it?''
''...Why does that matter?''
Trembling, I huddled beneath the blanket, my eyes darting around the desolate room. The sliver of moonlight that pierced the frosted windowpane did little to dispel the growing sense of dread.
My heart leaped into my throat as a chilling sound scraped against the stone floor. Two menacing red eyes glowed from the inky blackness, their intensity growing with each passing second. Panic surged through as I backed into the wall, the only source of comfort being the meager light from the window. A monstrous silhouette loomed out of the shadows, its white fur and sharp fangs a chilling contrast to the darkness. A guttural growl rumbled from its throat as it stalked towards the bed. A disembodied voice seemed to whisper, barely audible.
And then, it materialized, a horrifying beast that seemed straight out of my darkest fear - the very monster from the nightmare.
"...What are you...?"
"Seems like that terrible drug finally drove you mad"
A grotesque grin twisted its misshapen face as it emitted a horrifying, guttural sound and retreated into the impenetrable shadows of the room.
"You've fallen far from where I thought you'd be"
''...What was there to expect from me?...Work, drugs, blood, gunfire...Isolation. This place is tearing me apart. Even your appearance, you strange creature...I'm not even sure what's real anymore..."
''Perhaps it would be easier to just end it all?''
Staring into the blood-red eyes, my heart pounded in my chest. A searing itch erupted across my skin, driving me to claw at my flesh in a desperate attempt to alleviate the torment. A wave of nausea rose in my throat as I struggled to breathe.
"...No...Death cannot be the final destination..."
"We'll see how far you can go with such delusional dream"
In an instant, the eyes were gone, leaving me bewildered in the eerie silence.
What was happening?