Chapter 8: Wolf

10 years ago

“FOR A NEW ERA!” A Bhediya yelled as their sword collided with a Kutta soldier.

A battle raged on deep within the forest, as snow fall from the sky. A younger Wolf is seen running with five other Bhediya. Their alpha leading them.

They were given a special assignment. Their squad, the Najaki. Was a secretive group of assassins. Only answering to the king himself. And their king given them an important mission. Assassinate the leader of the rebellion. Assassinate Carmilla.

Wolf knew this moment would come when he joined the group of assassins. That one day he would have to kill his own mother. Carmilla was growing in strength every day. Gaining support of the people. Having being force to live in this frozen woodland, she come to know the area better than anyone in the entire kingdom. Able to utilize guerilla warfare tactics with very minimum to no lost at all to her troops.

Lord Ti Shin underestimated her. This was proving fatal as she was slowly winning over the Kutta people to her cause. The king has had enough. He ordered his Najaki to go and end her life. Easier said then done.

Carmilla wasn’t just some ordinary warrior. She was once a well renown general in the kings army. Her ice magic earned her the name Bīng huáng hòu. The Ice Queen.

The king had received word of Carmilla location. This was a rare chance he would not let slip away.

So here Wolf was. Running across a battlefield that served only as a distraction for the Najaki.

“wait...” their leader, Aiden. Stopped the group.

He quickly signaled for them to be on guard. Eyes quickly surveying the area around them. He gave another signal indicating they were surrounded. A moment later a group of seven Bhediya soldiers attacked.

Aiden quickly drew his two short swords, parrying the two soldiers' attacks. In perfect sync Wolf came from behind Aiden, in one fluid motion he slashed open both soldiers stomach.

Taking one of the Soldiers blade Wolf threw it at another soldier who was trying to attack on of the Najaki from behind.

“always gotta show off huh? I had him”

Wolf looked around making sure more wasn’t waiting in ambush.

“no...you didn’t Amyah.”

Sensing that there was no one else around. Wolf relaxed a bit.

They gathered around Aiden.

“We’re close to Carmilla now. This battle is serving as a distraction for us for finally put an end to their leader. But don’t be fooled, Carmilla isn’t an easy target. Facing her head on is suicide. Even for me. We're outmatch”

Aiden was an old veteran of war. Short grey hair, scar on his left cheek. Aiden piercing yellow eyes showed he had seen many battles. Elderly. He was still a skilled warrior and an even more frightening assassin.

“oh, didn’t know getting old made you weak” Amyah teased.

Wolf let out a low warning growl.

Aiden wasn’t amused. “it makes you humble”

“our target is a skilled swordswoman who has been fighting in battles before you were even born, she is highly skilled and deadly with ice magic. And even after her betrayal she has evaded our nations army while preventing any enemy nation from invading. Earning the support of the people. She has been doing this. For years.”

Amyah took the hint and didn’t say another word.

“from the information we have. She set camp in a cave at the base of this mountain. Most of her men is out here holding the rest of the troops back. So be sure to encounter more enemy soldiers. Stealth is our ally in this mission. Do not get notice by anyone. Wolf. you and amyah will stick to the trees. Cover us from there till we each her camp. Once there, take out any guards we see. Again, stealth is our ally. But if we’re discovered I will draw Carmilla into a fight. While I’m keeping her busy.... The moment you see an opening, you take it. Understood?”

They all nodded in unison. Aiden looked at wolf questioningly.

“I understand” he reassured Aiden.

Almost everyone knew that Wolf was Carmilla son. And when the revolt started. Many thought Wolf would join his mother side. They were plenty who believed he would even kill the king once he was close enough. But that moment never came. Regardless of the rumors he remained loyal to Lord Ti shin. Continuing to assassinate any at his lord command. And now it was time for him to end his mother rebellion.

They ran through the forest. Quickly and quietly. Any enemy soldiers that they find they would quickly cut down. They were a pack, executed everything in perfect unison. And why shouldn’t they? They've been a pack for years. They've each seen their share of war, each one coming close to death only to be saved by one another.

They stopped as they reached their destination. At the edge of the forest stood a entrance into the base of the mountain. This is where Carmilla had set camp. Three guards stood outside.

Aiden signals Wolf and Amyah. They nodded in understanding. Aiden gem glowed yellow as he shot forward with amazing speed. Quickly cutting down one of the guards. Two blades soared through the air. Piercing the other throat.

They’ve gathered at entrance. This was it. This was the moment they’ve been.

“ge-”

Aiden stopped as he jumped back. Instinct took over as Wolf done the same. Instantly the ground froze, freezing Amyah and the others in place. Carmilla rushed out the entrance. Her blade colliding with Aiden.

“so your king gave up with his armies and decided to send pups to kill me?”

Carmilla was relentless in her attacks. Aiden was right. As good as they were she was on another level. Wolf couldn’t find a single opening. All Aiden could do was defend himself.

“what are you doing wolf? Just watching like a idiot!”

One of his fellow assassins said as he freed himself from the ice.

“no..don't!”

But Wolf was too late.

The young boy charged ahead while Carmilla continued her fight with Aiden. His timing was perfect or so he thought. He fought in many battles. Killed plenty of soldiers. Assassinated plenty of generals. But Carmilla was in a different league from them. Easily knocking Aiden aside, she parried his attack. In a blank of an eye she thrust her blade through the boy chest.

Carmilla caught the boy as he fell. Her face, showing no emotion. As she gently placed him on the ground.

“well? Why have you stopped attacking? Is this the first time you’ve seen one of your own die? You’re no longer children. You chose this life the moment you picked up a blade. This is a battlefield. I will treat you as warriors. As my enemy”

She looked at Wolf.

“Carmilla!!!!!!”

Amyah finally freed himself along with the other two attacked her in unison.

Even with it being three against one. Wolf could see that Carmilla wasn’t even trying. Easily defending their attacks.

One of the assassins thrown daggers coated in poison. Carmilla dodge the flying blades, catching one. In that Moment Amyah attacked. But he left himself wide open as Carmilla brought the dagger upwards slashing it across Amyah eyes.

He screamed out in pain as he fell to the ground. Instantly reaching for the antidote in his pouch.

The other two continued their assault. But it was clear Carmilla was serious now. She disarmed one of them, taking their weapon, she impaled it through the other skull. In one swift movement she decapitated the head of the assassin she disarmed.

Carmilla approached Amyah, who was still cringing in pain. Hand covering his eyes. She lifted her sword and brought it down towards Amyah.