Chapter 23: Fangs of the past
The cold dawn light filtered through the windows of Orin's quarters as he sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the blade resting across his lap. The whispers had grown faint since the Abyss, but the silence felt more like a predator watching its prey. The stillness didn't comfort him—it only deepened his unease.
A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. Before he could respond, the door creaked open, and Zeela stepped inside, her silver hair catching the pale light.
"Ready for the next move?" she asked, her tone casual but her sharp eyes betraying her concern.
Orin sighed, setting the blade aside. "Do we even know what the next move is?"
Zeela smirked faintly, crossing her arms. "Not yet, but Siegfreed's briefing is in an hour. Wake's betting it involves more Monari. Hiroshi thinks it's about Azail."
"What do you think?" Orin asked.
Her smirk faded, and for a moment, her guarded expression softened. "I think it's about you."
Orin stiffened, the weight of her words settling over him. Before he could respond, she straightened, her usual sharpness returning. "Get dressed. I don't want to hear you complain about being late."
With that, she was gone, leaving Orin alone with his thoughts. He exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair before pulling on his gear. Whatever the briefing held, he would face it head-on.
The War Room buzzed with quiet tension when Orin and the squad arrived. Generals Siegfreed, Sheil, and Cleve stood at the head of the table, their expressions grim. Maps and energy readings covered the surface, and the faint hum of an arcane projector filled the room.
"Good, you're here," Siegfreed said as the squad entered. His gaze lingered on Orin for a moment before he gestured for them to approach. "Let's begin."
The arcane projector flared to life, displaying a detailed map of the region. Siegfreed pointed to a section near the northeastern border, marked with jagged cliffs and dense forests.
"This is the **Fang Ridge**, an isolated region bordering the Shadow Veil. Reports indicate a sharp increase in Monari activity, but that's not the most troubling part."
He pressed a button, and the projection zoomed in on a series of crumbled ruins. The image shifted to show the faint silhouette of a massive Monari—hulking and jagged, its form pulsing with dark energy.
"This creature," Sheil said, stepping forward, "is a 6-star Monari we're calling **Valkas the Fang Reaper.** It's unlike anything we've faced before. Its energy signature suggests it's been heavily influenced by Azail's corruption."
Cleve's voice was calm but firm. "Your mission is to neutralize Valkas and uncover the source of Azail's influence in the region. This is a critical operation—failure is not an option."
Orin swallowed hard, his hands curling into fists at his sides. The memory of the Abyss was still fresh in his mind, but this mission felt different. Personal.
"Why us?" Zeela asked, her voice steady but questioning. "Surely there are more experienced teams for something this dangerous."
Siegfreed's gaze shifted to Orin. "Because Valkas is tied to Orin's past."
Orin's breath hitched, and the room fell silent. His squad turned to him, confusion and curiosity etched on their faces.
"My past?" Orin echoed, his voice low.
Sheil nodded. "The Fangs, the mercenary group you grew up with—they operated near Fang Ridge. Records show Valkas was first spotted shortly after their disappearance."
Orin felt the blood drain from his face. The memories of his family, of Sonny, Vince, Lisa, and Vice, came rushing back in a torrent of pain and guilt. He'd thought he'd buried those memories, but now they clawed their way to the surface.
"You think Valkas… killed them?" Orin asked, his voice barely a whisper.
Siegfreed's expression softened slightly. "We don't know. But we do know that whatever happened there is connected to Azail—and to you."
Orin clenched his fists, the beast stirring within him. *This is where it begins,* it whispered. *The truth you've been running from.*
"I'll do it," Orin said, his voice hard. "I'll face it."
Wake clapped a hand on Orin's shoulder, his usual grin tempered with seriousness. "We've got your back, man. Whatever's out there, we'll take it down together."
Zeela nodded, her sharp gaze unwavering. "We won't let you do this alone."
Hiroshi smirked faintly, flipping one of his daggers. "Wouldn't miss it."
Orin's chest tightened, but he nodded, grateful for their support. Whatever awaited them at Fang Ridge, he knew he wouldn't face it alone.
The journey to Fang Ridge was grueling. The terrain grew harsher with every mile, the air colder and heavier. The squad moved cautiously, their senses sharp as they approached the region's edge.
By the time they reached the ruins, the sun was low on the horizon, casting long shadows over the jagged cliffs. The air was thick with the scent of decay, and an eerie silence hung over the area.
"This place is worse than the Abyss," Wake muttered, his flames flickering to life. "Feels like something's watching us."
Zeela scanned the ruins, her hand resting on the hilt of her dagger. "Stay alert. If Valkas is here, it won't wait for us to find it."
Orin moved to the front, his gaze fixed on the crumbled remnants of what looked like an old campsite. Rusted weapons and tattered banners lay scattered across the ground, their markings unmistakable.
"It's them," he said quietly, his voice thick with emotion. "The Fangs."
The weight of the discovery pressed down on him, but he forced himself to focus. The whispers in his mind were louder now, the beast restless.
*They're here,* it hissed. *Do you feel it?*
A low growl rumbled through the ruins, cutting through the silence like a knife. The squad froze, their weapons drawn as the shadows around them began to shift.
And then it appeared.
Valkas emerged from the darkness, its massive form towering over the ruins. Its body was a grotesque amalgamation of jagged scales and pulsating shadows, its glowing red eyes locking onto the squad with predatory intent. Its jagged fangs glistened as it let out an earth-shaking roar.
"Spread out!" Zeela commanded, her gravity well already forming beneath Valkas's feet.
Wake charged forward, his fists igniting as he launched a volley of fiery strikes at the creature. The flames struck its hide, but Valkas barely flinched, swiping at Wake with a massive claw. He dodged just in time, the ground where he'd stood shattering under the impact.
Hiroshi darted to the side, his daggers slicing into the creature's legs. Valkas roared, its shadows lashing out like living tendrils. Hiroshi evaded with practiced precision, but the shadows were relentless.
Zeela's gravity well intensified, pulling Valkas off balance for a moment. "Orin! Now!"
Orin didn't hesitate. He charged, his blade glowing as he aimed for the creature's exposed side. The beast inside him surged, its whispers deafening.
*This is your moment. Let me in.*
"No," Orin growled, pushing the voice down. He struck Valkas's side, his blade slicing into its shadowy flesh. The creature howled, staggering, but its fury only grew.
With a deafening roar, Valkas turned its full attention on Orin, its glowing eyes locking onto him. The air grew colder, the shadows around the ruins intensifying as the creature charged.
Orin braced himself, his blade ready, but the beast's voice returned, cold and insistent.
*You cannot defeat it without me.*
The truth of those words hung heavy in the air as Valkas closed the distance. Orin's heart pounded, the line between his humanity and the beast within growing thinner with every second.
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