Page 67 of Lord of the Lone Wolf
And perhaps, when it was over, he would find the courage to acknowledge the feelings that had taken root in his heart, not with expectation, but as a truth he no longer wished to deny to himself.
Maseo looked up at the stars, bright and clear above the forested mountains. Tomorrow would bring blood and battle, the clashof armies and the test of resolve. But for tonight, he allowed himself to feel the warm glow of belonging, of purpose, of hope.
It was more than he had ever dared to dream of before. And that was worth fighting to the death for.
Chapter 25
Kitsuki
Morning mist clung to the valley as Kitsuki surveyed the landscape that would soon run red with blood. Armor of midnight blue and silver adorned his form, with the royal dragon crest of Valzerna embossed across his breastplate.
The army spread before him in flawless formation. Kitsuki drew his sword, the ancestral blade of Valzerna’s kings. The weapon sang as it met the morning air, its enchanted steel gleaming with a cold fire that matched the fury in his soul. He raised it high, and silence fell over the ranks.
“Warriors of Valzerna,” he called, his voice carrying across the front lines. Behind him, Enchanters wove their spells, amplifying his words to reach even the most distant soldiers. “The sun rises on a day I hoped would never come.”
He studied his assembled forces, the weight of their lives resting upon his shoulders. “We stand not on our soil but on Kunushi land. This is not our territory to defend but our honor to uphold.” Kitsuki’s voice rang with conviction in the morning air.“We march not for conquest but for justice. Not for vengeance but for the innocents who cannot defend themselves.”
The wind shifted, carrying the scent of Nasume’s approaching army. Kitsuki tightened his grip on his sword, channeling the ice magic that flowed through his veins. Frost crystallized along the blade, catching the first rays of sunlight.
“King Nasume assumes dragons rule through fear. He thinks our acceptance of all beings is a weakness. He sees our diversity and believes it fractures us.” Kitsuki’s voice hardened. “Today, we will prove him wrong.”
A rumble of assent passed through the ranks. Kitsuki saw Jaega standing at the head of his elite guard, their armor glinting in the early light.
“My father was a warlord who believed in the supremacy of dragon shifters above all others. He built our kingdom with fire and blood.” Kitsuki paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle. “I have chosen a different path. Not because I am weaker, but because I have seen that true strength comes from unity and from recognizing the value in every being who pledges themselves to our cause.”
The dragon within him stirred, eager for battle.We will crush them beneath our claws and freeze the blood in their veins.
Kitsuki tempered his dragon’s bloodlust. “Nasume’s wolves believe they face a king who has forgotten how to fight, a kingdom that has grown soft in times of peace.” His voice rose, carrying across the assembled army. “Let them witness that our compassion does not dull our blades, that our mercy does not weaken our resolve, and that our acceptance only strengthens us.”
He took a steadying breath before continuing. “In Valzerna, we do not ask what form you take or what magic flows through your veins. We ask only that you fight with us. Today, we will show Nasume why our kingdom has thrived while his has withered under tyranny.”
The sun broke through the mist, casting long shadows across the battlefield.
“I do not ask you to die for me. I ask you to live for Valzerna. To fight for a home where our children grow without fear and our strength is the shield that guards them. We will prove our worth not through conquest but through protection.”
Kitsuki raised his sword higher, ice magic spiraling along its length in a display of elemental power.
“I fight beside you today, not above you. We are Valzerna, the sword that protects the innocent.”
A roar from the assembled forces shook the ground. Their collective will flowed into Kitsuki, fortifying his own.
Jaega approached with a kind smile. “Your words would have made your father proud.”
“Let us hope our swords prove as effective as my speech,” Kitsuki replied, his gaze fixed on the horizon where dust clouds signaled the approach of Nasume’s forces.
“The wolves will crest the far hill soon,” Jaega confirmed. “Our scouts report they number in the thousands.”
“And their king?”
Jaega’s lip curled in disgust. “Nasume remains safely behind his castle walls. He sends his general, Rethus, in his place.”
Kitsuki’s jaw tightened. “A king who will not bleed with his warriors does not deserve their loyalty.”
“A sentiment Nasume does not share.”
The dragon within Kitsuki snarled in contempt.Coward. We would tear him apart if he dared show his face.
“All is prepared, Your Majesty,” Jaega replied.
