Chapter 260: Empty Cages
The harsh challenge in the guards’ voices was like a splash of cold water, splitting apart the eerie silence of the tunnel. I paused just without the threshold of the small circle of light cast by the light crystals, leaving myself cloaked in shadows with only the star atop my staff glimmering faintly.
"Who are you?" the guard on the left tried again.
"Fable," I whispered, averting my eyes.
The guards were only second level, left completely unable to react as my wolf launched forward. Blood splashed into the air, followed by a scream, as the one on the left went down. His cries turned to wet gurgles as he clutched at his neck, desperately trying to close the gaping hole and stem the flow of blood.
"W-what the hell?" the other guard cried, fear flashing in his eyes.
He fumbled for his sword, but in his panic, only succeeded in drawing it halfway before Fable swiped at him with his paw, sending him flying into the wall. He hit one of the wooden supports with a crunch, shattering it. The light in his eyes faded as jagged fragments of wood punctured his torso, emerging from his chest beneath his black cloak, glistening with blood.
There was a brief silence as their final gasps faded away, before there was another loud crack. The support beam lurched violently, dropping just enough to allow the guard to slide off the wooden fragments. His corpse hit the ground with a thump, his cowl falling back in the commotion. My breath caught as I laid eyes on his face: young, barely older than I, his eyes hollow in the terror of his final moment. His body was soaked in blood, with more dribbling onto his chest from the jagged splinters poised above him.
I bit my lip, forcing myself to move past the carnage. As I passed him, Fable tilted his head, gazing at me curiously.
"I’m sorry," I whispered, unable to meet his eyes. "I know they’re slavers, it’s just..." I took a deep breath. "Thanks for being with me. I couldn’t do this alone."