Chapter 3 Lair of the Devil

As Ingrid made her way through the dense forests of South Arathia, Ingrid could feel the tension in the air. The land itself seemed to shudder under the weight of that man's presence.

She had heard tales of him-how he commanded not just respect but a primal fear. He was more than a werewolf; he was a force of nature.

Days turned into nights as she traveled, each one colder and darker than the last.

The deeper she went in search of Enigma, the more oppressive the atmosphere became. It was as if the very air was charged with danger.

Ingrid did not manage to have sleep as the name of this man, her target, got stuck on her head, repeatedly, playing tricks with her mind.

Vesarius Rage.

Ingrid finally reached a small village on the outskirts of a dark forest. The villagers were wary, their eyes darting around as if expecting danger at any moment. She approached an old woman sitting by a fire, and when she saw Ingrid her face lined with fear and worry.

"You!" Ingrid was caught off-guard when the old woman suddenly grabbed her shoulder. "You poor woman! What are you doing here alone?!"

"H-Hello there." Ingrid said, trying to keep her voice steady. "I'm looking for a place called: Enigma, could you perhaps tell me where I can find it?"

The old woman looked at her with a mix of pity and fear. "Why would you seek him?" she asked, her voice trembling. "No good comes to those who cross his path."

"I have no choice," Ingrid replied. "I need to find him, my life depends on it, depends on him."

The old woman sighed, her eyes filled with sorrow. "He resides up ahead, in the Blackwood, a forest where no light penetrates. Few who enter ever return. Be careful, child."

Ingrid thanked her and continued on her way. The Blackwood loomed ahead, its trees twisted and gnarled, their branches like skeletal fingers reaching for the sky.

The air was thick and heavy, and each breath was a struggle. Her black assassin attire are perfectly blending in the shadows, every sound was amplified, echoing through the trees.

Ingrid's senses were on high alert, and every muscle tensed for the inevitable confrontation.

She moved silently, her footsteps barely sounding on the forest floor. The deeper she went, the more she felt an oppressive presence, a sense of being watched. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she pushed forward.

Every rustle of leaves felt like a warning, whispering to her to turn back. But she couldn't-not when she was so close.

Ingrid tightened the grip on her dagger, its blade glinting faintly under the scarce light. Her breath misted in the cold night air as she moved with silent courage. Ingrid was no stranger to danger, but something about this forest made her skin prickle.

"Keep moving," she whispered to herself. Her voice was steady, but her heartbeat wasn't. "You have to keep moving, Ingrid."

Her foot stopped at a towering wall, black veins were all over it. She used her dagger to get most of the thick black veins enough for her to pass through and when she finally came to a clearing there it was.

Beyond the towering stone wall covered in those dark vines lay a sight Ingrid had never expected. Enigma was nothing like the crumbling ruins she had imagined. Instead, it was a dark grand castle, vast and imposing, its stone walls clean and strong despite the age of the forest around it.

At the front of the palace stood two enormous lion statues, between them was a large fountain, its water clear and sparkling, a strange contrast to the gloomy forest outside.

The palace itself was a strange mix of beauty and menance. Its tall spires reached into the sky, and its windows gleamed faintly. Though the castle felt alive, there was a heaviness to it, something that made Ingrid uncomfortable.

Enigma was magnificent but carried an undeniable air of danger, like a treasure with a hidden curse.

However, before she could step forward, the feeling hit her.

It was a cold, sharp sensation running down her spine. The distinct feeling of being watched. She slowly turned, her dagger held at the ready.

"I-I can sense you. Show yourself," she demanded, her voice cutting through the stillness like a blade.

The forest answered with silence at first. Then, a pair of glowing eyes appeared in the shadows. No. Three pairs. Each a shade of gold, piercing through the darkness. Slowly, the figures emerged.

Massive wolves, their fur a mix of black, brown, and white, stepped into the moonlight. Their sheer size dwarfed any natural predator Ingrid had ever encountered. Their eyes gleamed with intelligence, and their movements were deliberate, almost predatory.

One of them, the largest, let out a low rumbling growl that sent a shiver down Ingrid's spine. It's been a while since her last encounter with a werewolf.

"D-Don't come any closer," she muttered, her grip on the dagger tightening.

The middle one, a sleek beast with a scar on its chest, stepped forward. In a movement so fluid it seemed unnatural, it began to shift. Bones cracked, muscles twisted, and fur melted away to reveal a smooth pale skin.

Before Ingrid stood a man-no, a creature that wore the guise of a man. His dark hair was tousled, and his golden eyes held a glint of mischief. He was tall, his frame lean but muscular, and the smirk on his lips was enough to unsettle anyone.

"Oh, look, who do we have here?" he said, his voice smooth as he teasingly sniffed the air between them. "A. . .human?"

Ingrid examined the three. Their eyes are gold regardless of whether they are born or bitten, it only means that they have not taken an innocent human life.

Ingrid flinched, though her heart pounded in her chest. She raised her chin, meeting his gaze with defiance. "I-I'm not a threat. I-I got lost deep in the woods since I was being chased by some v–vampires."

Ingrid purposely dropped her dagger and raised both her hands in the air to raise no suspicion but the man only chuckled, a low, velvety sound that made the other wolves behind him tense with anticipation.

"Lost, huh? Then turn back." He took a step closer, his bare feet silent against the forest floor. "This is no place for little humans to wander alone. Especially not you."

Ingrid's eyes narrowed. "You know who I am?"

In the blink of an eye, Ingrid is pinned on the cold ground with the man on top of her. Causing Ingrid to be caught off guard. She quickly grabbed a pocket knife on her ankle and aimed it at the man's neck.

"Oh, I've heard stories," he said, playfully curling strands of her hair and from her chest he saw the white crescent moon tattoo. "The infamous Ingrid Hearst. An assassin. Traitor. And now. . .a trespasser."

His words stung, but Ingrid didn't let it show. "If you know me, then you should also know that I don't take kindly to threats."

He stopped, tilting his head as though considering her words. Then his smile widened, revealing sharp canines. "Oh, it's not a threat. It's a warning."

"Who are you?" Ingrid dared to ask. "Are you. . .V-Vesarius Rage, Alpha of Enigma?"

The other wolves growled low upon hearing that name being spoken, their voices rolling through the forest like thunder.

"Turn back now," He said, not answering her question. The man took Ingrid's dagger with ease before he got up, leaving Ingrid on the ground defenseless. "Enigma isn't for you. It never was."

Ingrid stood her ground. "I didn't come this far to turn back."

The man's smile faltered for the briefest moment, replaced by something unreadable. Then he sighed, shaking his head. "Stubborn."

She exhaled, the tension in her body easing slightly. But she knew this was far from over. Whatever lay within Enigma, it wasn't going to be simple.

"You're not going to find the answers you want. Turn around now, and we'll let you leave in one piece. You're lucky he doesn't allow us to prey on you, humans."

The wolves behind him stepped forward, their movements slow and deliberate. It wasn't an attack, but a clear show of power.

Ingrid stood her ground. "And if I refuse?"

The man sighed dramatically, running a hand through his hair. "Then you're either very brave or very stupid." He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a low growl. "Consider this your only warning. Leave now, or you'll wish you had."

The air between them crackled with tension. Ingrid's heart raced, but she refused to back down.

"I'm not leaving," she said firmly.

"Suit yourself. But don't say we didn't warn you." He stared at her for a long moment, then let out a low chuckle. "The man you're looking for is not someone to be disturbed. He bites."

He stepped back, his body shifting once more into the form of a wolf. The pack melted into the shadows, their glowing eyes lingering on Ingrid for a moment before disappearing entirely.

Ingrid exhaled sharply. The forest was silent once more, but she knew better than to think she was alone. Steeling herself, Ingrid turned toward the ancient gate and stepped inside.

She stood firm, resolute in her decision. There was no turning back now. Whatever lay within Enigma, whatever kind of monster resided in this place. Ingrid made up her mind and will do whatever means necessary to make Vesarius Rage, the Alpha of Enigma kneel before her.

And she knew exactly how to do it and that is: to make him fall for her.

A slow smile crept across her face as she stepped forward. Little did she know, this first bold move was the start of a game that would cost her more than she could have ever Imagined.