Chapter 7: Within the Stone Gate

Before dawn, the forest was shrouded in a faint mist.

Kale stood before an ancient stone door, carrying Allen on his back, sensing the chilling aura emanating from beyond. The wolf head carvings etched into the door seemed to gaze upon them, as if alive, watching these three unexpected visitors.

A woman stood at the door, placing her palm on the central engraving. Her fingertips traced the runes as she whispered, “This is the ancient language of the wolf clan: ‘Only those bound by blood may enter.’”

“Does that mean it must be opened with blood?” Kale frowned.

She nodded, drawing a dagger from her waist and without hesitation, cut her palm. Crimson droplets slowly fell onto the wolf head carving on the door.

The blood seeped into the stone, and the engraving instantly glowed with a ghostly blue light.

With a rumbling sound, the stone door slowly opened, releasing a damp and decayed scent, as if untouched for countless years.

The woman stepped inside first, Kale followed closely with Allen on his back. The door closed behind them, shutting out the outside light and plunging the surroundings into darkness.

Kale lit a torch. The dim flame revealed a narrow stone path, walls covered with ancient carvings depicting brutal battles and coexistence between werewolves and humans — a harsh yet glorious saga.

“Is this... the sacred land of the wolf clan?” Kale asked softly, eyes scanning the reliefs on the wall.

The woman stopped, gazing at the images with a somber voice: “Yes. Here lie the oldest secrets of the wolf clan.”

She pointed to a massive bas-relief showing a giant winged wolf, its eyes ablaze with fire, surrounded by countless fallen warriors.

Kale’s eyes fixed on the wolf’s blazing gaze, an uneasy feeling tightening his chest. “What is this?”

“The Blood Moon Wolf King,” the woman said slowly, her expression grave. “The clan’s ruler who slaughtered an entire village a century ago. Legend says whenever the blood moon rises, he awakens to unleash new carnage.”

Kale’s heart sank as he stared at the wolf king’s fierce fangs, feeling an inexplicable pressure, as if those eyes had watched him in a dream.

Allen stirred lightly on his back, whispering, “Blood… moon…”

Kale immediately stopped, looking down at Allen. “What did you say?”

Allen’s face appeared unusually pale in the torchlight, his brow furrowed, cold sweat streaming down his forehead. He slowly opened his eyes, faintly glowing with an eerie blue light.

---

“Brother…” Allen’s voice was weak, seemingly controlled by something unseen, “I dreamed of a giant wolf, standing beneath the blood moon, staring at me…”

Kale’s heart jolted. He gripped Allen’s hand tightly, voice low and steady: “Allen, don’t be afraid. I’m here.”

The woman’s eyes narrowed slightly. “He can already sense the wolf king’s presence.”

“What does that mean?” Kale frowned.

The woman explained in a grave tone, “The wolf clan’s curse is deepening. His wolf nature is awakening. His bloodline is resonating with the wolf king.”

Allen’s body twitched, his breathing growing rapid. Dark markings spread up his neck, as if something was consuming him from within.

Kale clenched his teeth, gently setting Allen down. Placing his hands on his shoulders, he spoke softly, “Hold on, Allen. You won’t become a wolf.”

The woman stepped forward, placing her palm lightly on Allen’s forehead. A gentle silver glow emanated from her hand, temporarily suppressing the dark energy inside him.

Allen’s breathing steadied, the pain on his face slowly fading as he slipped back into deep sleep.

The woman withdrew her hand, wiping the sweat from his brow. Her voice was low, “We must hurry. If we delay any longer, he might not survive the night.”

Kale nodded, lifting Allen again, pressing deeper into the stone corridor.

At its end stood a magnificent underground palace.

In the center of the chamber rested a massive stone coffin, adorned with carvings of the wolf king. Ghostly blue flames flickered around it, casting the entire hall in an eerie glow.

The woman stood before the coffin, her gaze complex. “The wolf king’s remains lie here.”

Kale approached, gently placing Allen beside the coffin. “What now?”

The woman produced a silver dagger from her bosom and handed it to Kale. “Use this dagger to pierce the coffin lid and awaken the wolf king’s consciousness.”

Kale took the dagger, frowning deeply. “Awaken the wolf king? Are you mad?”

Her eyes were calm and resolute. “To break Allen’s curse, we must speak with the wolf king. He holds the source of the curse. Only he can undo it.”

---

After a moment of hesitation, Kale looked down at Allen’s pale face. Gritting his teeth, he raised the dagger and drove it firmly into the coffin.

In an instant, the entire palace trembled. The coffin slowly opened, and a surge of ghostly blue light burst forth, coalescing into the massive silhouette of a wolf that rose before Kale.

The wolf shadow looked down at the three, its eyes flashing like a blood moon. A deep voice echoed through the chamber: “Who has awakened me?”

Kale gripped the dagger tightly, his voice steady: “I have.”

The wolf’s gaze lingered on him, a hint of amusement flickering in its eyes. “You bear no scent of the wolf clan, yet you dare trespass here. Bold indeed.”

Kale took a deep breath, meeting the wolf’s eyes unwaveringly. “I do this not for myself, but for him.”

He gestured toward the sleeping Allen, his expression resolute, filled with unshakable protection. “He is cursed. I want you to lift it.”

The wolf was silent for a moment before speaking slowly, “To lift the curse, a price must be paid.”

Kale asked softly, “What price?”

The wolf’s eyes swept over him coldly. “Your blood and soul, in exchange for his freedom.”

Kale’s heart skipped a beat, his fingertips trembling slightly. But after a deep breath, he said without hesitation, “I accept.”

The woman’s eyes snapped open in shock. “Kale, you’re insane!”

Kale smiled faintly, his gaze unwavering. “He is my only family. I will not let him die.”

The wolf studied Kale, a trace of approval flickering in its gaze. “Interesting.”

It then slowly extended its sharp claws and stepped toward Kale...