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Chapter 22. Old Tales
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Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 23. Hunting Secrets
As exhaustion took its toll, I found myself dozing off while waiting for Kenru's signal. For a moment, I was enveloped by darkness and tranquility.I jolted awake when I felt the warmth of Kenru's skin against my arm. He was burning with fever, likely from the injuries he sustained earlier. I also sensed a slight tremor in his body, which raised my concern.It was nearly dusk, and the surroundings were growing darker. The breeze carried a chill, and I realized how cold it was becoming. Kenru had fallen asleep beside me, and I watched his peaceful form as we waited for the crickets' call. I observed his handsome face, his smooth skin, and I couldn't help but notice how perfectly sculpted he looked. Yet, whenever I gazed into his eyes, I saw a glimpse of sorrow. This wasn't the first time I had noticed the sadness in his eyes and expression; it had been there many times before.I recalled earlier when he mentioned being the king's bastard of the 2nd region. I sensed that his eyes held m
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 25. Arrows
I remained hidden, watching him move about the forest. My heart was pounding so hard I felt like it might burst from my chest. I waited, my breath held.He stopped a few meters away from the hosta cluster, concealing himself behind a large tree.My heart raced even faster, and I was torn about what to do. I wanted to approach him, to ask him why he was here, to find out what was happening. I wanted to know his plans and the king of the 7th region's intentions.Questions flooded my mind, pushing me to go to him. But fear and uncertainty held me back—what if he was a trap? What if he was here to deceive me?I sat in tense silence, wrestling with my emotions. I needed to gather my courage before approaching him. I took a deep breath and decided to show myself.But before I could make a move, another figure emerged from the opposite side of the tree. It was the same woman in black from before—Princess Lanuza of the 2nd region. She was still wearing the same attire.My eyes narrowed as the
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 26. Fire and Wind
At a young age, I learned to take care of myself. I grew up facing the challenges of life early on. Hardships molded me to be brave and resilient. I always relied on myself and the love of my siblings to navigate each day.Sometimes, I wondered what it would feel like to be vulnerable. Just once, I wanted to let go of the tough exterior I had built, which felt like hot metal against my skin.It's tiring to be strong all the time.People label me as tough and unyielding. I forged an image of strength because I had to. Cali and Poras were too young and vulnerable, and I needed to be their living shield, their protector. I became accustomed to defending myself and my siblings. A strong persona became my second nature years ago.So when Kenru stepped in front of Killan, it felt different. I could protect myself, but experiencing someone defending me felt unusual. It felt like being taken care of, like someone genuinely cared and was ready to put themselves in harm's way to protect me.Ken
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 27. Dark Enhancer
Our willingness to fight death is the reason why we're still alive. Now I must resist one chance at death. Again.Camp Septen continues to destroy another Pax tower of Meridio. The loud booms and tremors of attacks from there are still ongoing as I make my way towards the river lane. It seems like they are determined to weaken our overall defense.Before I make the left turn, the first Pax tower of the opposing camp in the Shita lane also explodes. Perhaps Sir Borracho is fulfilling his promise to destroy the enemy's towers as well. A massive red beam of light shoots up from the tower, indicating that the first tower of Septen in the bottom lane has been taken down.Sir Borracho is still fighting. I know he wants to win for his friend, Prince Salinas, and for Bonbon as well. I run down the path towards the dock, where a clinker boat is waiting for me. A clinker boat is constructed with overlapping edges of hull planks. I approach the dock, watching the flashes of light from both camps
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 28. The Ambush
The electrifying and chilling sensation courses through every nerve in my body. A mixture of ice and electric current churns in my gut, as if my body is starting to metabolize the energy it has absorbed. For several minutes, I'm almost crouched by the edge of the river, overwhelmed by this new sensation.It takes several minutes for me to gain control over the unfamiliar force within me, until my body returns to its normal state. The sensation is both electrifying and chilling, lingering like a ball of ice and electric current in my stomach. I gradually straighten up, feeling the tingling remnants of the energy coursing through my veins. My body feels rejuvenated and empowered, yet at the same time, I'm drained from the experience.Exhaustion is slowly taking over. I'm on the verge of collapse tonight. I'm hanging on by a thread, all but a shadow of my former self. After absorbing the energy from the soul of the black jaguar, my body is burdened with an overwhelming tiredness.I walk
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 29. The Miss
I've always believed that courage is more powerful than fear. It's been my shield against life's cruelty and my weapon to survive every tough day.But now, faced with danger, four enemies surrounding me, I realize that the courage I carry isn't enough. In this moment, it feels like my emblem of bravery is melting away, overwhelmed by intense fear.I don't know which direction to run. I know Tigrani and Brugour's capabilities. They're formidable opponents. There's a 50-50 chance of survival if I go their way. And I have no idea what Princess Lanuza is capable of—she might be even worse.I glance at Lanuza. Her jaws are clenched in anger, and her fists are so tightly balled that her knuckles are turning white. She hates me. Obviously, her first impression of me was a facade.My gaze shifts to the masked man in front of me. His jaws clench as our eyes meet. I try to read his reaction—each glance, the tension of his jaw, the movement of his arms and shoulders.His body language tells me o
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 30. Feeder
Death was an inescapable facet of existence, its shadow lengthening over me. Each step my adversaries took felt like a countdown to the dominus, a word that reverberated with the finality of death itself.A harsh force constricted around me, binding my hands behind my back while Tigrani's hair ensnared my feet. The air grew thin as I struggled to breathe, my legs swollen, my back aflame with agony.I was dragged across the earth like a savage, the pain a symphony of torment. Tears mixed with sweat as they traced salty paths down my battered cheeks. To my captors, I must have appeared a wretched spectacle.Leading the procession was Tigrani, her every step exuding triumph. The ominous figure of Brugour trailed behind, his presence as foreboding as his silence. Following closely were Killan and Lanuza, two shadows cast by the misfortune of their alliance."Perhaps, Tigrani, carrying her would be prudent. Dragging her only intensifies her suffering," Killan's voice reached me near my fee
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 31. Boost
It felt as though my heart had momentarily ceased its beating, and for a few seconds, I slipped into a state of unconsciousness. Then, I was roused by a sensation of coldness enveloping my body, as if it were mending all the wounds I had sustained. The feeling was like an elixir flowing through my system, knitting my flesh back together. I could almost hear the mending of my skin, the flow of my own blood orchestrating its healing symphony. In an instant, the pain that had consumed me started to fade away."Don't let go..."Killan's whisper echoed in my mind, and I realized that I was still alive, my body intact.I opened my eyes, finding myself engulfed in darkness within the dominus's stomach. A luminous sphere of ice emanated a soft glow, casting light within the creature's belly. Even in this macabre setting, I could still see the repulsive liquid that filled the dominus's stomach, a grotesque mixture of acid, innards, and who knew what else. Yet, strangely, the stench seemed to h
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