Chapter 97: Chapter 97

EVANGELISTA

The wind atop this building was fierce, biting my skin like a thousand sharp needles. Yet, I stood firm. In front of me, a handsome man stood tall, his back straight. His silhouette appeared calm, but there was something unsettling in the way he gazed at the city lights below.

“I didn’t think you’d find me,” he said, not bothering to turn. His voice was low and heavy, each word carrying an enigmatic echo.

I glanced at his shadow on the concrete. In a flash, it shifted—from human form into that of a massive dragon. His body remained human, but his shadow told a different story.

I wasn’t reckless. Cautiously, I stepped to his side, my hand ready to reach for my weapon at any moment.

“Long time no see, Lycan,” the man greeted, glancing at me. A faint smile touched his lips—not warm, but laced with something darker.

“Don’t underestimate me,” I replied coolly. “I came here as a warlord.”

The man chuckled, the sound mocking. “Then act like one. Do your duty on the battlefield, instead of relying on that man’s cheap magic to track me down.”

His words caught me off guard. My eyes narrowed as I tried to decipher his meaning. How did he know I’d used Daran’s magic to find him?

“Don’t be afraid,” he continued, now meeting my gaze. His eyes were like bottomless chasms, filled with unreachable secrets. “I have no intention of ruining your life tonight.”

Straightening, I forced myself to stay composed, though his words sent my thoughts spinning. “So, you know, don’t you?” I asked sharply.

“Know what?” he replied, feigning ignorance.

“The strange events surrounding Daran Carver,” I pressed, trying to pry more information from him.

He smirked, offering no direct answer. That smile—calm yet mocking—was infuriating.

“You know something,” I said firmly. “Daran has always helped us. Why didn’t you aid him this time?”

“Why would I?” he answered lightly. “Isn’t that his responsibility?”

Before I could respond, a dark shadow swirled in the air, rapidly taking shape. In an instant, Daran appeared before us, his expression alight with barely restrained fury.

“If you have something to say, say it, Mountain Dragon!” Daran shouted, his voice trembling with controlled anger.

The man before me—or rather, the dragon—turned his cold gaze toward Daran. His smirk grew arrogant, more venomous than before.

“Daran Carver,” he said mockingly, emphasizing the name. “What exactly have you done all this time? Evangelista is no stronger than you, yet you leave everything to her. Where is your leadership, King?”

Daran’s face tightened, his eyes blazing with fury. But he held himself back—though I could see it cost him.

“I told you,” Daran said, his tone burdened with regret. “I want to atone for my past mistakes. Then you sent me to find the Blood of the Red Moon as penance. I knew you weren’t the nicest guy. It must amuse you to just sit back and watch me struggle.”

“Amuse me?” The dragon chuckled dryly. “I’m a Mountain Dragon. What do I gain from meddling with you? My duty is to guard your destiny!”

With a swift motion of his hand, mist coiled around us, solidifying into a mirror-like screen. Reflected in its surface was Daran’s house. Inside, Jonea sat on a sofa, casually watching television.

I felt Daran’s body tense beside me.

“What are you doing?” Daran demanded angrily.

The dragon approached slowly, a predator savoring its prey. “That’s why I’m watching her,” he said evenly, though his tone dripped with menace. “The owner of the Blood of the Red Moon.”

I froze. His words hung heavily in the air, sending a shiver down my spine. Daran’s composure cracked—he looked like a storm battering itself to stay intact.

“Don’t play games with me!” Daran snapped.

The dragon only laughed. “Games? No, Daran. I’m here to ensure destiny unfolds as it should. But I wonder... how long can you protect Jonea and your people simultaneously?”

Daran’s expression darkened, but before he could speak, the dragon stepped closer, his presence suffocating. “It’s time to choose, Daran Carver—a decision that will shape your fate... and theirs.”

I stared at Daran, fear and tension warring inside me. Something monumental was brewing, but what did the dragon want from us? And how was the Blood of the Red Moon the key to it all?

The wind surged, carrying the dragon’s words like a chilling death knell.

“Will you accept your destiny, Daran Carver? Or shall I take it from you?”

The wind whipped mercilessly, but I stood firm, absorbing every ominous word. The Mountain Dragon, his human form an elaborate facade, stepped even closer to Daran.

“What exactly do you want?” I demanded, breaking the oppressive silence.

He glanced at me, his gaze sharp, weighing my worth. “You,” he said finally. “You should have been wiser in this game—should have guided your stubborn king toward the right path from the start.”

I froze. I had tried—but had I indulged Daran too much? Was this my failure?

Daran stepped forward, his body shielding me. “Leave her out of this,” he growled, his voice a low, dangerous rumble. “Whatever you want, take it up with me. And stay away from Jonea!”

The dragon chuckled darkly. “Ah, Daran—always playing the hero. But you know you’re nothing without them.”

With a flick of his hand, the mirror shifted. It now showed a chilling image—Jonea lying on a bed, shadowy figures slithering around her like predators circling prey.

“Enough!” Daran roared, unleashing a surge of energy so intense the wind itself paused.

“What have you done to Jonea?” he demanded, his voice trembling with a power I’d never seen before.

“Me?” The dragon shrugged, feigning innocence. “I merely guard her fate. I’ve protected Jonea from them. But you’re too slow, Daran—the red moon rises soon. And the dragon’s tear she wears won’t shield her much longer.”

“So the dragon’s tear pendant is yours?” Daran asked, astonished.

“Of course. I gifted it to Aland Hamilton’s mother. Destiny is a curious thing, isn’t it? That pendant found its rightful owner—Jonea Rawling. But don’t you want to know who’s been pulling the strings?”

I looked at Daran. His confident exterior cracked, revealing doubt and fear.

“Tell me,” I demanded. “What are you hiding?”

The dragon’s gaze pinned me, enigmatic and chilling. “Perhaps I’ll withdraw my protection from her. From now on, it’s your responsibility to keep her safe!”

The wind howled again, carrying his laughter. Drawing close to Daran, the dragon whispered, “Decide, King Lycan. Where will you take the Red Moon Girl?”

Daran clenched his teeth. “I’m done playing your games.”

“Are you?” the dragon sneered. “Act quickly, Daran—before she belongs to someone else.”

With a dark smile, the Mountain Dragon stepped back. “Time’s running out. If you falter, I’ll take matters into my own hands. See you... at the end.”

And just like that, he vanished, leaving Daran and me enveloped in an oppressive, suffocating silence.