The Dark Warlock's Game

Chapter 43: I Can’t Let Him Die

“Just go on with it..” Vardy responded.

“Vardy, don’t,” Ferah said, her voice pleading.

“We don’t have a choice,” Vardy replied, his tone grim.

Selene reached into her cloak and pulled out a small bottle of liquid. “This will keep him alive. But it’s not a cure. He’ll still need time to heal.”

Vardy nodded. “Do it.”

Selene uncorked the bottle as she poured it onto Luthor’s wound. The effect was immediate. The bleeding slowed.

Luthor’s breathing steadied, his eyes fluttering open.

“You’re going to be okay,” Ferah said, her voice trembling.

“Thanks,” Luthor whispered weakly, his eyes closing again as exhaustion overtook him.

Vardy stood, his gaze locking onto Selene. “You’ll get your favor,” he said, his voice cold.

Selene smiled faintly. “I know.”

Ferah knelt beside Luthor, her hands trembling as she adjusted his bandages. 

Tracy leaned against a crumbling wall, her spear still in her hand, though the battle had long since ended.

Vardy stood rigid, his gaze fixed on Selene.

The spectral wolf at Vardy’s side let out a low growl, its glowing eyes locked onto Selene as if it sensed the shift in the atmosphere.

“You’ve had your fun,” Ferah said sharply, her voice cutting through the silence. “Now tell us. What’s the price?”

Selene’s smirk returned.

She crouched, brushing the dust off her cloak as if unbothered by the tension surrounding her. “Oh, it’s nothing too dramatic,” she said lightly, her voice almost teasing. “I’ll just need a little... favor.”

Vardy’s jaw tightened. “What kind of favor?”

Selene rouse slowly, a bit calculated. “One that might not align with your objective…” she said, her smirk widening.

Ferah stood, her sword still in hand. “Spit it out, Selene. No games.”

Selene tilted her head, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied Ferah. “Patience, warrior. This isn’t your deal to make.”

“I don’t care whose deal it is,” Ferah snapped. “You don’t get to dangle Luthor’s life in front of us like some prize.”

Vardy raised a hand, silencing Ferah with a single gesture. “Enough,” he said, his tone cold. His gaze didn’t waver from Selene. “You got what you wanted. Now name your price.”

Selene stepped closer, her smirk fading into something more serious. “There’s someone I need you to find,” she said, her voice lower now. “Someone important to me.”

Ferah let out a bitter laugh. “That’s it? You want us to play fetch for you?”

Selene’s gaze snapped to Ferah, her expression hardening. “This isn’t a game,” she said, her tone sharp. “This person is... valuable. And if you want to keep your little friend alive, you’ll help me find them.”

“Who?” Vardy asked, his voice steady despite the storm brewing inside him.

Selene hesitated, her smirk gone completely now. “His name is Alaric. He’s an Altana, like me. We were part of Dean’s network before... well, before everything went to hell. He disappeared months ago, and I need to know why.”

“And what makes you think we can find him?” Vardy asked.

“Because you’re good at causing chaos,” Selene said with a faint smile. “And chaos has a way of drawing out the people hiding in the shadows.”

“This sounds like a personal grudge,” Tracy said, stepping forward. “Why drag us into it?”

“Because I just saved Luthor’s life,” Selene replied, her tone cutting. “And because I’m the only one who knows where to start.”

Vardy frowned, his mind racing. The whispers from the artifact stirred, their tone sharp, warning him of the danger in Selene’s request. But he knew they didn’t have a choice.

“Where do we begin?” he asked finally.

Selene’s smile returned.  “There’s a man named Carrick. He runs a smuggling ring out of the docks. If anyone knows where Alaric is, it’s him.”

“And you trust this Carrick?” Ferah asked skeptically.

Selene shrugged. “Not in the slightest. But he’s useful, and that’s all that matters.”

Vardy heaved, his gaze still locked on Selene.”We move by morning.”

---

Somewhere in Haven City, a different conversation was unfolding.

Marcus stood in a dimly lit chamber, his arms crossed as he listened to Dean’s plans.

“They’re fractured,” Dean said, his tone confident. He paced the room, his hands clasped behind his back. “The Dud’s group is breaking. It’s only a matter of time before they fall apart completely.”

Marcus frowned. “You sound too sure. They’ve been resourceful so far.”

Dean stopped, his piercing gaze locking onto Marcus. “They’ve been lucky,” he said coldly. “But luck doesn’t last. And now that we’ve planted the seeds of doubt, they’ll destroy themselves from the inside.”

“What if they don’t?” Marcus asked cautiously.

Dean’s smile was slow. “Then we remind them why no one crosses me and lives to tell about it.”

***

Vardy and his crew moved cautiously through the darkened streets, the city quiet in the early hours of the morning. 

Luthor leaned heavily on Ferah, his face pale but his breathing steady.

“We shouldn’t be moving him,” Ferah said, her tone edged with worry. “He needs rest.”

“There’s no safe place to rest,” Vardy replied, his gaze scanning their surroundings. “Dean’s men are everywhere. We keep moving until we’re sure they’re not on our trail.”

“And then what?” Tracy asked.

“We find Carrick,” Selene said simply. “And we get answers.”

The spectral wolf padded silently beside Vardy, its glowing eyes fixed on the shadows ahead. It let out a low growl, and Vardy stopped abruptly.

“What is it?” Ferah asked, tightening her grip on Luthor.

Vardy didn’t answer immediately. His hand tightened on his staff, the artifact’s whispers louder now, warning him of unseen danger. “We’re not alone,” he said finally.

Selene drew her daggers, her eyes scanning the darkened alley. “Dean’s men?”

“Maybe,” Vardy said.

From the shadows, a figure emerged. They were cloaked, their face hidden.

“Stay back,” Vardy warned, his staff glowing brighter.

The figure stopped, their head tilting slightly as if considering his words. “You’ve made quite the name for yourself, Dud,” they said, their voice calm but filled with menace.

“And you are?” Vardy asked coldly.

The figure chuckled softly. “Just a messenger. Dean sends his regards.”

Before anyone could react, the figure threw a small bottle to the ground. 

Itt shattered, releasing a thick cloud of smoke everywhere.

“Stay together!” Vardy shouted, his voice muffled by the smoke.

The spectral wolf let out a fierce growl as it lunged at the figure.

The sound of a scuffle echoed through the alley, followed by a sharp cry of pain.

When the smoke cleared, the figure was gone, leaving behind only a small stain of blood on the stone.

“Well, that was dramatic,” Selene said, her tone dry.

“They’re testing us,” Vardy said, his expression grim.

“Let them,” Ferah said, her eyes blazing. “We’ll be ready.”

—-

In a hidden corner of the city, a young woman knelt beside a small candle, her hands clasped tightly in prayer. Her face was lined with worry, her voice trembling as she whispered.

“Please, guide him. Protect him. Don’t let him fall.”

Behind her, an older man stood silently, his expression heavy with concern. “He’s stronger than you think,” he said softly.

The woman turned, tears streaming down her eyes. “But is he strong enough?”

---

The group continued toward the docks.

Luthor’s breathing grew steadier, but his face was still pale, his strength fading with every step.

“We’re close,” Selene said, her gaze fixed ahead.

“Good,” Ferah muttered. “Because he’s not going to last much longer like this.”

Vardy glanced at Luthor, his jaw tightening. The cost of Selene’s aid weighed heavily on him, but he knew they didn’t have a choice.

As the docks came into view, the spectral wolf let out another low growl, its glowing eyes fixed on a shadowed figure standing near.

“That must be Carrick,” Selene said, her smirk returning.

“And if it’s not?” Tracy asked.

“Then we improvise,” Selene replied.

Vardy stepped forward, his staff glowing. The whispers in his mind grew louder.

The stakes had never been higher, and the path ahead was darker than ever.

Vardy’s eyes stayed locked on Selene, her words echoing in his head. The price she’d named was dangerous.

Ferah walked closer to Vardy, leaving Luther with Tracy.

“You don’t have to do this,” Ferah said quietly, standing beside him. Her hand hovered near her sword.

“We don’t have a choice,” Vardy replied, his voice colder than he intended. 

Suddenly, Luther started coughing as they rushed down to him, “Luther, open your eyes…” Ferah cried, kneeling by his side.

“I need water, water…” Luther murmured.

Tracy rushed to her bag and grabbed out a bottle of water, she opened it and gave to him.

“Do we have to do this Selene?” Ferah asked, staring at Selene who was standing, staring at the shadow ahead unconcerned.

“Well, I did my best, at least I am not asking for too much…” Selene smirked, her hands folded.

“Rest a little, we'll continue soon.” Vardy said.

“Seriously? Do you really care about us?” Tracy scoffed.