CHAPTER 171: CHAPTER 171 - THE PACT BENEATH THE MOON

Tave made his way to Fokil’s forge immediately after his meeting with Vanya and Elincia. He knocked, was invited in, and found the dwarf hard at work as usual.

At that moment, it struck him how often he’d visited this place.

Maybe I’ve been coming too much?

"Not ready for your relic today, kid," Fokil called out without looking up.

"That’s fine, sir," Tave replied, reaching toward his storage ring. "But..." he paused, taking out the Eclipse Silver crystal from his storage ring.

The moment the crystal appeared, Fokil set down his hammer and fixed his gaze on the luminescent gem. Its glow cutting through the forge’s dim light and fiery ambience.

"Where did you get that?" Fokil asked.

Tave offered a small, satisfied smile. He’d gotten the dwarf’s full attention with one display.

"It came from inside the rift, sir," he explained, placing the crystal carefully on the workbench. "If I prepare the right materials... I was wondering if this could be made into something. Maybe armor? I’m not entirely sure."

Fokil reached out, cradling the crystal in his massive, calloused hand. He paused, eyes narrowing.

"Do you know how valuable this is? I could easily keep it for myself. It’s more precious than you realize."

Tave kept his expression calm. He couldn’t reveal just how much he understood its worth.

"No, sir," he said sincerely. "That’s exactly why I brought it to you."

Fokil glanced up, then returned his attention to the crystal. "Are you certain you want to use material this fine at your level? What’s your level now?"

"Thirty-three, sir."

The dwarf fell silent, turning the crystal over in his grip.

"This would make excellent armor. But it would be far more effective on someone at Gaia Grand Master level. If you ask me to craft something now, it won’t be optimized for you as a mere Gaia Master."

Tave nodded, meeting Fokil’s gaze. "That’s okay, sir. As long as it’s used well. I’m fine with that."

After that, Tave laid out the rest of the materials he thought might be useful. Though he didn’t have everything required. But Fokil simply nodded, assuring him to leave what he had, then silently returned to his workstation.

"Sir, I’ll take my leave. Thank you," Tave said quietly.

He received no reply, but that didn’t bother him. He gave a small smile and stepped out of the smithy, feeling like one more task had been completed.

But... would it really be finished in just two days?

At the very least, he’d need the relics before heading to Vensalor Island. He’d need them, without question. If not, he’d have to find a backup weapon to carry into whatever awaited them there.

***

As evening crept in, Tave made his way to the city gate, already prepared for the possibility that he wouldn’t return for the next two days.

Waiting near the gate were three figures, and one of them was waving cheerfully.

"Hi, Tave! Over here!" Elowen called out.

And there they were: Vellion, Elowen, and Lina.

Yes. Tave had planned to split the group into pairs, and having Vellion accompanied made sense tactically.

He stopped in front of them, his eyes lingering briefly on Lina. She looked... better. Not completely healed, no. But her presence here spoke volumes. She was standing again, and that was enough for now.

Vellion stepped forward and held out a sword in both hands. "Tave, take this. It’s a tier 4 blade. You should be able to use it. I hope the size and weight are right for you."

"Tier 4?" Tave took the weapon, his hand gripping the hilt with familiarity.

[ Epic-Grade Shadowbane Tier 4 ]

He inspected it, something he could now do easily after reaching Gaia Master.

"Epic-grade?"

"Yes," Vellion replied. "It’s a gift from Lady Elincia. It’s yours to use, and to keep."

Tave tested the weight. It felt lighter than his relic, yet he could tell, the craftsmanship, the energy within. It was more than dependable. This sword could carry him through whatever came next.

He stored it within his ring with a nod.

"I’ll thank Lady Elincia myself. Next time."

They began their expedition just as the last light of the sun vanished behind the horizon. The city guards were resuming their patrols, and the night was fully upon them.

Tave would search with Elowen, while Vellion was paired with Lina. With Elowen’s ability to communicate across distances, and her link to Elincia, they could quickly relay any discoveries or coordinate if they ran into the target.

They had only two days, and already half a day had passed.

Once Vellion and Lina had started down their own path and were swallowed by the darkness, Tave glanced at Elowen with a faint smile.

"What?" she said, raising an eyebrow.

"What, what?"

Elowen sighed. "You know... this is actually kind of annoying."

"Annoying?"

"Yes. Now that you’ve formed a pact with Her Highness, Princess Vanya..."

"So?"

"It means I can’t just say whatever I want to you anymore, can I? It’s annoying."

Tave let out a quiet laugh. "Why? I’m still the same Tave."

"No, you’re not. Should I start calling you Your Highness now?"

"Yes," Tave replied with a playful grin. "I think so. My authority is now on par with Princess Vanya’s, after all."

Elowen let out an exaggerated sigh. "See? You’re already acting high and mighty. Even after saying you’re still the same person."

Tave turned his head slightly as a familiar figure emerged from the shadows—Fang, towering as tall as Tave’s own eye level.

But just then, Fang’s form shrank, shifting into a more compact size that made it easier for Tave to leap onto his back.

"Come," Tave said, glancing over his shoulder.

Elowen jumped up easily, settling behind him. And in the next instant, the shadow wolf dashed forward, slicing through the darkness like an arrow.

"Are you sure two days is enough to find the demons?" Elowen asked, her voice trailing slightly in the wind. "Do you even have a lead?"

Tave looked back at her, raising a brow. "Wait, you joined this expedition without knowing what you’re supposed to be doing?"

Elowen sighed again, as if the answer was obvious. "You know I hate thinking, right? I just came along to protect you. You should be more than grateful I’m here. You need me."

"Yeah, yeah... I need you desperately, Lady Elowen," Tave replied with a smirk. "Just wait for the moment when you have to kneel before me and call me Your Highness, okay?"

"No need to wait," Elowen shot back. "I’ll start right now. Your Highness Tave."

Fang surged forward beneath the moonlight, his form cloaked in shifting shadows that half-covered Tave and Elowen, blending them perfectly into the night.

They raced silently across the open terrain, until they reached the edge of the forest line. Then without pause, slipped between the trees.

This time, Fang moved with a sharp, practiced grace, weaving between trunks and leaping over roots with ease.

The difference was striking.

Back when Tave first met him, Fang had been just a small, curious pup. But now... he moved like a creature who owned the forest.

Like a ghost of the woods, swift and in complete control of the night.

Eventually, after a long stretch of travel, the shadow wolf slowed, then came to a halt. Tave gave Elowen a silent signal, and she jumped down with a soft thud.

He followed her, landing lightly beside her in the deep dark.

Here, in the heart of the woods, the shadows were thick. Thick enough that anyone without Tave’s enhanced vision would have been swallowed completely by the black.

Fang stepped forward slowly, then suddenly tilted his head toward the sky—and let out a long, echoing howl.

The sound tore through the forest, sharp and rising, like it was waking the trees themselves. He howled again, louder. The ground seemed to tremble faintly, the branches swaying as if responding to the call.

The cry went on and on, reverberating through the night, until it felt like the entire forest had been stirred.

"What is Fang trying to do?" Elowen asked.

Her question hung in the air, until it answered itself.

From between the trees, glowing red eyes began to appear.

First a few. Then more.

They emerged from the dark, flanking them from all sides. In front. To the sides. Behind.

One by one, they stepped out into the open.

Shadow wolves. Dozens of them.

Their presence was quiet but heavy, a natural stillness descending over the clearing as they slowly encircled the group.

Elowen glanced at Tave, her voice hushed and laced with caution.

"These shadow wolves... they’re the same kind as Fang, aren’t they?"

"Yes," Tave replied, his eyes scanning the silent, growing circle around them.

"They don’t look particularly strong. Tier 2 or Tier 3, maybe?"

Tave didn’t answer immediately. He didn’t need to.

Because at that moment, the forest seemed to part again. From between the trees, a larger figure emerged. Silent, commanding, powerful.

A wolf stepped forward, its size nearly matching Tave’s own height.

Its crimson eyes locked onto them with a piercing, almost regal gaze. There was no mistaking the presence this one carried.

Elowen took a step closer to Tave.

"What exactly are you planning, Tave?" she asked again, more firmly this time.