Chapter 5: A Flicker of the Past

The night sky stretched endlessly above Lucian and Aria as they left the village behind. The smell of smoke still lingered in the air, but the worst had passed. Stars twinkled overhead, indifferent to the struggles of mortals below.

Lucian walked ahead, hands in his pockets, while Aria trailed behind, watching him with a mix of curiosity and concern. She had fought beside many warriors, but Lucian was unlike anyone she had ever met. There was an emptiness in his gaze, a burden far heavier than a single lifetime could bear.

"We should rest soon," Aria suggested. "It’s been a long day."

Lucian let out a slow sigh and gestured toward a large tree standing alone in the middle of a grassy clearing. "Fine. Here’s as good a place as any."

The two settled under the tree, Aria carefully removing her armor while Lucian simply leaned back against the trunk. The wind was cool, rustling the leaves above them.

"You don’t sleep much, do you?" Aria observed, watching him.

Lucian chuckled, tilting his head toward her. "When you’ve lived as many lives as I have, sleep becomes... optional."

Aria frowned. "That doesn’t make sense. Everyone needs sleep."

Lucian didn’t answer right away. Instead, he gazed up at the stars. "It’s not that I can’t sleep. It’s that when I do, the past finds me. Every life, every regret, every death. They don’t fade."

A silence stretched between them. Aria hesitated before speaking again. "Is there at least one life you don’t regret? One where you were happy?"

Lucian’s smirk faltered. "There was one... once. A long time ago."

Aria’s eyes widened slightly. "What happened?"

Lucian closed his eyes for a moment, memories stirring. "I died."

Before Aria could press further, a sudden gust of wind howled through the clearing. Lucian’s eyes snapped open, his senses flaring. Something was coming.

A deep, guttural growl echoed from the darkness. Aria immediately reached for her sword, standing up. Lucian remained seated, watching as crimson eyes flickered in the shadows.

"Wolves?" Aria whispered, gripping her weapon.

Lucian’s lips curled into a smirk. "Not just any wolves."

The creatures emerged into the moonlight—massive, black-furred beasts with glowing red eyes. Their fangs dripped with saliva, and their bodies radiated a faint, unnatural aura.

"Demon wolves," Lucian said casually. "It’s been a while."

The largest of the pack stepped forward, a scar running down its muzzle. It let out a low, menacing growl.

"They’re intelligent," Aria murmured.

Lucian nodded. "And territorial. We must be near their den."

The wolves circled, their movements coordinated. They weren’t just wild beasts; they were hunting with precision. Aria took a defensive stance, but Lucian remained seated, unfazed.

"You going to fight or just sit there?" Aria asked, her voice tense.

Lucian chuckled. "Relax. This won’t take long."

As the wolves lunged, Lucian finally moved. In a blur, he vanished from sight. The lead wolf yelped as a powerful force slammed into it, sending it skidding across the grass.

Aria barely had time to process what happened before Lucian reappeared behind another wolf, placing a single finger on its head. A pulse of energy erupted, and the creature collapsed instantly.

The remaining wolves hesitated, growling uncertainly. Lucian dusted off his hands. "Go back to your den. You don’t stand a chance."

The alpha wolf, still recovering, locked eyes with Lucian. There was recognition in its gaze—fear, but also understanding. With a final huff, the beast turned and retreated, the rest of the pack following closely behind.

Aria exhaled, lowering her sword. "You could’ve killed them all."

Lucian shrugged. "They weren’t worth the effort. Besides, they were only protecting their home."

Aria stared at him, something shifting in her expression. "Maybe you do have compassion after all."

Lucian chuckled, shaking his head. "Don’t get your hopes up."

As the night settled once more, Aria found herself watching Lucian differently. He was a puzzle—one she was determined to solve. And as much as he tried to push the world away, there was still something human beneath the weight of a million lives.

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