The forest was cloaked in darkness, with only faint moonlight slipping through the canopy. Rudra and Elandro moved silently through the trees. Suddenly, Rudra raised his hand, signaling Elandro to stop.
Elandro: (whispering) "Did you find something?"
Rudra: "Yeah. Look over there. There's a cave entrance—half-buried, but it's real."
Elandro: "We should wait. Aid from the capital is on its way. Going in without a plan is suicide."
Rudra: (sharp tone) "We don't have that luxury. Lily's in danger. Maybe you can gamble with her life, but I've already carried too many corpses on these shoulders. I can't add another."
Without waiting for a response, Rudra rushed toward the cave, determination burning in his eyes.
Elandro: (muttering) "Damn brat never listens…"
He sighed and followed, his hand reaching for the dagger hidden beneath his coat.
---
Inside the Cave
The stench of sweat, alcohol, and burning wood filled the air. Inside, over a hundred men lounged around—drinking, laughing, groping girls dancing on a crude stage. A grotesque celebration of chaos.
Then Rudra's eyes locked on the stone altar elevated above the crowd.
A man sat atop it—a presence so vile, it was suffocating. His very posture oozed menace. His eyes glowed faintly crimson, and the smirk on his lips felt like a death sentence.
Grave Maddox, the leader of the Mountain Leopard.
Rudra's knees weakened slightly. What is this aura…?
He turned quickly, startled by a whisper behind him.
Elandro: "What? Scared by a little party?"
Rudra: "Don't joke. You nearly gave me a heart attack."
Suddenly, Elandro tensed and pointed.
"Shh… look. Jade is on the move."
Grave stood, casually tossing his wine glass into the face of a dancing girl.
Grave: (coldly) "Enough."
Instant silence. It was as if time itself paused. Not even breathing dared break the tension.
Varric Grimmore, the vice commander, raised his drink lazily.
Varric: "Oh come on, Grave. Don't spoil the mood. This is just getting fun."
Rudra (whispering): "Who are these monsters…?"
Elandro: "Shut up and stay low!"
Grave scanned the cave with his chilling gaze.
Grave: "Seems some rats have crept into the lion's den. Do they really think they can hide from me?"
Varric: (smirking) "Might've smelled them too… but don't ruin the party just yet."
Rudra's heart pounded. Impossible… even Alex couldn't detect me when I'm cloaked. How the hell did they—?
He adjusted his position silently.
Grave: (voice rising) "You can move all you want, but it's pointless. Come out before I count to three, or I'll start breaking things you care about."
He raised a hand.
"One…"
"Two…"
"…Two and a half…"
"Three."
No response.
Grave: "You'll regret that."
He extended his hand.
Grave: "Varric. Pass me the whip."
Varric: "You're really going to use that? Damn. Fine—here."
Grave snapped the whip with a crack, then walked down the steps… and without hesitation, slashed it across the backs of the girls on the stage. Screams erupted.
Rudra's blood boiled. His fists clenched. But Lily's life… he couldn't act rashly.
Grave: "Still hiding, shadow soldier? Let's see how much longer your conscience can take it."
He clapped his hands twice.
Two men dragged a cage forward.
Inside—a little girl, no more than six, bruised and shivering.
Elandro: "LILY!"
He leapt out from hiding, sprinting toward her cage—but two guards intercepted him, dragging him to the floor.
Grave: "And the other one… come out, before I skin her in front of you."
Rudra emerged, eyes blazing.
Rudra: "Touch her, and I'll rip every bone out of your body."
Grave: (grinning) "Now that's a fun threat. I like you."
Varric: "Let me play with him first."
Grave: "As you wish. Make it a show. Let's make this cave echo with his screams."
The crowd erupted into cheers as torches lit a blood-stained arena in the center of the cave.
Grave: "Let the fun begin."