Chapter 281

*SWISSSSSSSHHHH* *SWISSSSSSSHHHH*

The wind howled outside, fierce and unrelenting. Thick snow poured from the black sky, blanketing the world in white silence. Through the storm, a massive dark figure charged forward, cutting through the blizzard like a shadow given life. It moved with impossible grace, as if it ran not on the ground but atop clouds.

*Step-step-step-step-step*

Dusk’s paws struck the earth in perfect rhythm, never breaking stride. He carried Leon and Enid on his broad back, his powerful muscles rippling beneath midnight fur. No magic fueled his speed—only raw strength. The snow was deep, piled high in drifts that would swallow a man whole, yet Dusk’s legs barely sank. He ran flawlessly.

Enid sat in front of Leon, her body pressed close. Both her legs draped elegantly over one side, the red gown flowing like liquid fire in the wind. For the past three minutes, her lips had been on his neck—soft, warm, insistent. She kissed slowly, deliberately, leaving blooming red marks across his skin. Hickeys, possessive, proof of her claim.

"Master..." Dusk’s deep voice rumbled, calm despite the speed. "I can see the kingdom’s gate."

He slowed to a steady walk, snow crunching softly beneath his paws. The massive iron gates loomed ahead, torches flickering along the walls, casting golden light on the falling snow.

Leon’s sharp eyes scanned the scene. Dozens of carriages lined the approach—some grand, pulled by teams of white horses; others modest, bearing the crests of lesser houses. Royal guards in polished silver armor stood at attention, checking invitations with practiced efficiency. One by one, the carriages rolled forward, admitted into the capital.

’Nobles from the outer villages. Village heads. Minor lords,’ Leon thought, noting the sigils painted on carriage doors—eagles, stags, crossed swords. A slow smile crept beneath his mask. An idea sparked.

"Dusk," he said, voice low but commanding. "Can you go so fast... that you hop above those guards ?"

Dusk’s ears twitched. A grin flashed his sharp teeth. "Absolutely, Master. They won’t even see me. But they’ll feel the wind when I pass."

He scraped his claws against the snow, muscles coiling like springs, ready to launch at a single word.

Enid pulled back slightly, her lips glistening. "Why?" she asked, brow furrowed in confusion. "Can’t we just show the invitation and go in?"

Leon turned his head, two red eyes staring at her through the white mask. "I am the king in the south for now, darling," he said, his smile sharp as a blade. "And kings do not show invitations to get into stupid parties."

Enid’s eyes gleamed. She bit her lip. "Oh... I think the king in the south just made me a little wet."

"Dusk," Leon ordered, fingers tightening in the thick fur. "Go."

A crackling surge of yellow and blue lightning exploded across Dusk’s body, arcing over fur and flesh. His eyes blazed electric. Then—he moved.

The world blurred.

In two heartbeats, he crossed the distance to the gate. Snow erupted in his wake. Just as the guards turned, Dusk leaped, a dark comet soaring over their heads, high above spears and helmets.

*SWISHHHHHHHH*

A razor-sharp gust of wind slammed into the guards as he passed. Helms rattled. Cloaks whipped violently. One guard stumbled back, eyes wide.

"What the hell ?" he barked, spinning to his comrades. They looked just as lost him as they didn’t knew what just happened.

A carriage driver chuckled, adjusting his hat. "The wind is wild tonight."

The guard blinked, then waved the next carriage through. "Yes... go on."

Inside one of the carriages that was marked with a soaring bat in front of half moon, two young women sat in shadowed silence. Black lace covered their faces, but their eyes burned with unnatural light.

"Did you see that?" the younger sister whispered, leaning forward.

"I most certainly did," the elder sister replied, voice smooth as silk.

"What was that beast?"

"An Eclipsemora," the elder said, reverence in her tone. "A mythical creature. To see one in a lifetime is a great achievement. To tame one? Impossible. No one has ever done it yet."

"Yet... ?" the younger said, tilting her head. "I’m certain I saw a man riding it."

"I know."

"Are we to report this to Mother Marie?"

"No," the elder said firmly. "We observe first. His attire tells me that he is also heading to the Royal Party."

The younger’s lips curved beneath her veil. "If he agrees... can I choose him as my husband?"

The elder’s eyes narrowed. "There was a female companion with him. We are forbidden from becoming concubines."

"But what if he is not married to her?"

Silence covered the whole environment.

"Then you should leave him for me," the elder replied. "I am your elder sister."

The younger smirked. "Mother Marie says rank does not matter—so long as you bring strong males into the cult."

"You may have charms to trap ordinary men," the elder said, voice dripping with confidence. "But I have the body men would die for. If he is not married to a girl... he is fair game."

The younger giggled softly. "Oooh... I like the sound of that."

"What of the orphanage though ?" she asked. "Do we visit there before the party ?"

"No need," the elder said, gaze distant. "The child who sees the future has already fled. With the virgin girl and the talented boy.

I always suggested that it was impossible for them to stay there for long."

The younger clicked her tongue. "Damn. The boys would have made fine cult members. And the virgin girl, we could have offered her as sacrifice for the Greater Cause."

The elder’s head snapped toward her. Her eyes flared bright pink behind the veil, glowing like twin embers.

"Mother Marie gave strict orders," she hissed. "If those words leave your mouth again, I will cut out your tongue and feed it to the summoned hounds."

The younger froze. "I-I’m sorry, sister. I will not speak them again."

"Do not forget your purpose," the elder said, voice cold as the snow outside. "And do not let others find out about it."

Silence fell heavy in the carriage.

The younger nodded once. Her own eyes glowed bright pink in the dark.

Royal Castle Gate.

Hundreds of royal guards stood in perfect formation before the grand entrance. A long crimson mat stretched from the gates to the castle doors, rolled out like a river of blood to welcome the nobles. Torches blazed in iron sconces. Music drifted faintly from within—harps and flutes, laughter and clinking crystal.

Most guests had already arrived. Elegant wagons crowded the courtyard, horses snorting steam into the cold. The fountain at the center glittered with ice.

*SWISSSSSSSHHHH*

Without warning, a towering dark beast materialized before the front line of guards. Dusk landed with a soft thud, snow billowing around him. Blue and yellow lightning crackled along his fur, fading slowly into the night.

"What the—"

Spears rose in unison. Shields clanged. Guards shouted in alarm.

But before a single weapon could’ve been pointed towards Leon—

"WEAPONS DOWN."

The command thundered across the courtyard, deep and absolute. Every guard froze. Then, as one, they lowered their arms and dropped to their knees, heads bowed.

Leon turned slowly.

At the top of the grand marble stairs, beneath the shadow of the castle doors, stood a man.

He appeared in his forties. Long silver hair flowed down his back, tied neatly with a golden cord. He wore a robe of pure gold, heavy with embroidery—dragons, stars, ancient runes. Golden chains draped his neck. Rings glittered on every finger, each pulsing faintly with magic.

And atop his head rested a massive crown—gold, intricate, embedded with seven brilliant gems.

’So, he is the king of Human kingdom. Wait... What was his name again ?’ Leon thought with a confused expression.