Leo didn't flinch.
Kieran's spear remained pointed directly at him, its dark Aura lingering heavily in the air. For several seconds, neither of them moved.
Kieran's eyes narrowed.
"You don't look surprised at all."
Leo's expression remained calm.
"I would be lying if I said I was."
His gaze shifted briefly toward the surrounding forest before returning to Kieran.
"So you should understand this too."
Leo slowly turned his head, taking another look at the peaceful land surrounding them. The green forest stretched endlessly in every direction. There were no signs of civilisation, no roads, no settlements, and nothing to suggest that anyone from the outside world even knew this place existed.
His eyes returned to Kieran.
"A safe haven for your clan."
He paused before continuing.
"No beastmen. No humans. No one will ever find you guys here."
Leo's expression became slightly more serious.
"Unless I fail to keep my mouth shut."
The implication hung between them.
Leo looked at the spear pointed at his chest.
"So instead of taking the risk of trusting a human, it's better to get rid of him after finding the place."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"Great idea."
Kieran didn't answer. His spear remained exactly where it was as he watched Leo quietly. The silence stretched between them until Leo's smile faded into something more challenging.
"So what are you waiting for?"
He opened his arms slightly.
"Do it."
Kieran's grip tightened around the spear, but he didn't move. The tip remained pointed at Leo, yet the attack never came.
Leo watched him for another moment before a small smirk returned.
"Ahh..."
He tilted his head slightly.
"So you too understand what's outside waiting for us."
His eyes sharpened.
"And what would happen if I don't return."
Kieran's expression hardened.
"You didn't bring him to fight the beastmen, did you?"
Leo's smile disappeared.
"Don't trust the man who says he trusts you. Trust the man who admits he doesn't."
His eyes narrowed as he continued staring at Kieran.
"At least I know where you stand. Your kind despises humans. Do you want me to believe their leader of all people would trust me so easily?"
Leo glanced at the spear.
"So you brought the backup."
Kieran's eyes remained cold.
"Then why did you help us in the first place?"
Leo remained silent for a moment. He took a slow breath, his eyes drifting away from Kieran before eventually returning to him.
"It's always fun to find out what this world wants to hide."
Kieran's jaw tightened.
"For fun?"
Leo shook his head slightly.
"No."
His tone became more measured.
"No disrespect. It was for survival at first. But as time passed, curiosity to find out the mystery became more fun."
A faint smile returned to his face.
"And plus... now I have your alliance."
Leo shrugged slightly.
"So it's two birds with one stone."
Kieran's eyes narrowed.
"Alliance?"
He tightened his grip on the spear.
"And who decided that?"
Leo sighed and stared directly into Kieran's eyes.
"I did."
His voice remained calm.
"And that's how things are going to be."
For the first time, something in Leo's expression became unmistakably firm.
"You can call it an alliance if you want. I call it leverage."
Kieran's grip on the spear tightened again, but Leo continued before he could respond.
"Other than me, now my father and Adrian know it."
His gaze remained fixed on Kieran.
"Adrian won't spill it."
Leo slowly began walking toward him. Each step brought him closer to the spear, but Kieran didn't lower it, and Leo didn't stop.
"But as for Father..."
He stopped a short distance away.
"That one's in my hand."
His voice lowered slightly.
"You may be able to stop me."
Leo's eyes hardened.
"But not that monster."
Kieran's expression changed slightly.
Leo stepped past him. As he did, he reached out and casually placed a hand on Kieran's shoulder, giving it a light pat.
"Now, now."
A small smirk appeared on his face.
"Don't worry."
He removed his hand and continued walking.
"I'm not evil."
He glanced back over his shoulder.
"Just a little bad."
Leo walked a few more steps while Kieran remained completely still behind him. The shadow spear was still in his hand, and for a moment, it looked as though he might follow Leo with it raised. Then his expression slowly changed, and with a quiet motion, he lowered the spear. The dark Aura surrounding its blade faded before the weapon dissolved back into shadow.
Leo didn't turn around. He simply continued toward the lake.
"Come on now."
His voice carried back through the quiet forest.
"Let's go."
Leo turned his attention toward the water. The lake had returned to its quiet state, but the strange passage beneath it was still there. The light around the portal had begun to fade, its edges growing dimmer by the moment.
He stared at it for a few seconds.
"I'd like to explore this place a little more, but we need to leave before that closes."
He looked toward Nythrakar. The enormous white serpent remained near the lake, watching them silently. Leo studied it for a moment before looking back at the portal.
There was still much about this place he didn't understand, and Nythrakar was certainly one of those mysteries. But there wasn't time to investigate everything now.
Leo straightened.
"Come on."
He stepped into the lake, and the cold water immediately closed around his legs. He continued deeper while Kieran followed beside him. Together, they swam toward the glowing opening beneath the surface.
As they approached, the water around them began to pull, and Leo felt the familiar pressure return.
The portal was still open.
They had to move now.
Leo pushed forward, and Kieran followed. The moment they entered the opening, the world around them twisted. For a brief instant, Leo felt as though his entire body was being pulled through something far deeper than water. His surroundings disappeared, replaced by darkness and a strange weight pressing against him.
Then—
Everything returned.
Water.
Leo opened his eyes.
They were underwater again, but this time the lake was different. The faint light of the portal behind them slowly faded as the opening began to close.
Leo didn't waste time. He swam upward, with Kieran following close behind. They broke through the surface together, gasping for air.
Leo wiped the water from his face and looked around.
The familiar underground cavern surrounded them, and the waterfall continued to crash into the lake, filling the cavern with its constant roar.
Leo swam toward the edge and grabbed the stone. Kieran reached the shore a moment later, and together they pulled themselves out of the water.
Leo stood there for a moment, catching his breath.
Then he looked around.
His expression changed.
The cave was a disaster. Broken trees and shattered pieces of the camp were scattered across the ground. Parts of the shelters had been torn apart, and deep scars ran through the earth. Large sections of the surrounding area had been damaged as though something enormous had ripped through it.
Leo stared at the destruction.
He already knew what had happened.
When he and Kieran had entered the portal, Rowan and Nythrakar had still been fighting. Judging by what remained of the camp, the battle had been anything but gentle.
Kieran climbed out of the lake behind him. His expression hardened when he saw the damage.
Then—
"KIERAN!"
The cry came from somewhere ahead.
Leo turned as several wolves came rushing toward them, their eyes immediately locking onto Kieran.
"Brother!"
Sasha's voice stood out above the others. She pushed through the wolves and hurried toward him.
"Kieran!"
Kieran barely had time to turn before Sasha reached him. She grabbed his arm and immediately began checking him from head to toe.
"Are you alright?"
Her voice was filled with genuine worry.
Kieran looked at her.
"I'm fine."
Sasha didn't seem satisfied. She checked his arms and shoulders before looking over him again.
"You're sure?"
Kieran nodded.
"I'm sure."
Only then did some of the tension leave her face. The other wolves gathered around them, relief spreading through the group now that their Leader had returned.
"You're both back."
"We thought something happened."
"Where did you go?"
Kieran looked around at them.
"We're fine."
Leo remained a short distance away, watching them. Their relief wasn't really about him. They had been worried about Kieran, and Sasha's reaction made that especially clear. Her brother had disappeared into that lake with Leo and hadn't returned.
Until now.
After making sure Kieran was alright, Sasha finally turned toward Leo. Her eyes briefly moved toward the lake behind him.
"What happened?"
Leo glanced back at the water.
"We found something."
Sasha looked toward Kieran.
"What?"
Kieran didn't answer immediately. Before he could, a familiar presence caught Leo's attention.
He turned toward the ruined camp.
Rowan stood among the destruction, his sword lowered at his side. The battle was already over.
Leo's gaze moved across the damaged surroundings before settling on Rowan. He had seen the fight begin before entering the portal, and now he could see the result.
Leo let out a quiet breath.
"So... looks like you two had quite a fight."
Rowan's eyes settled on him, but he said nothing.
Leo's gaze shifted toward the lake once more. Nythrakar was no longer beside them, and the portal had closed. Whatever mystery existed on the other side would have to wait.
For now, there was something more important.
Sasha remained beside Kieran, still watching him carefully.
"I'm alright, Sasha."
She frowned.
"I know."
But she stayed beside him.
After a moment, Sasha looked toward Kieran, her expression softening slightly.
"So... what did you find?"
Kieran turned his gaze toward the lake. For a moment, he said nothing. Then a faint smile appeared on his face.
"Home."
Leo glanced at him.
The single word carried more weight than either of them needed to explain. Behind them stood the ruined remains of the old camp.
But beyond that lake...
The Wolf Clan had finally found a place of their own.
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