The harbor's early bustle drifted through salt-stung air as Zephyr and his strike team assembled at the crumbling pier. Dawn's orange fingers stroked the water, turning waves to molten gold. Zephyr's stomach knotted with anticipation: somewhere on the Ravenwing ferry, Rook fled toward open sea—and with her, the Covenant's darkest ambitions.
He tightened the straps on his pack, feeling the primer scroll's weight at his side and the rune-talisman's warmth against his throat. His HP rested at 85/100, MG at 45%—a careful balance after yesterday's exertions. The vial of Hemaleth Essence remained unfired, a trump card for dire need.
"Ready?" Rennan's low voice broke the dawn calm.
Zephyr nodded. "Let's bring her in."
The Ravenwing was a rust-orange ferry, its hull streaked with barnacles and old bloodstains from cargo holds long decommissioned. Two fishermen's boats—Jora's and Malik's—rocked alongside, engines idling.
Jora waved them aboard first, pistol drawn. "Clear the deck," she instructed. Zephyr climbed up last, scanning the ferry's metal deck for movement.
Below decks, crates spilled into the hold—empty now but for damp hay and the tang of fish. Zephyr moved silently, following Rennan's whispered directions: "Port side, forward hatch."
They reached a locked hatch guarded by two Covenant enforcers. Malik flicked out a compact EMP pulse grenade—designed to scramble electronic locks briefly. He tossed it; the hatch's keypad blinked, then died.
Jora kicked it open, and they spilled into the hold. Zephyr's eyes adjusted to dim emergency lighting. Water seeped at the planks' seams, sloshing with each wave.
They pressed into the shadows as footsteps sounded above. Through a grated platform, Zephyr saw Rook's silhouette—blade in hand, hair slicked by seawater, eyes luminous. She spoke into a comm unit: "Prepare the lab. The Bloodwolf approaches."
Zephyr's pulse surged. He raised a hand in silent signal: Rennan and Malik would flank left; Jora and Elda would secure the right stairwell. He slipped forward, slippers sounding soft on wet wood.
Rook stepped down into the hold, senses primed. She spotted Zephyr's shadow at the far end.
"Bloodwolf," she taunted, voice echoing. "Chasing ghosts beneath the Ravenwing?"
Zephyr advanced, heart shifting into hybrid focus. "The only ghost here is your conscience."
She laughed and lunged, dagger first. Zephyr sidestepped, blade humming at his side. He met her with a Night's Razor strike—infused with hematoglyph energy—aimed at her shoulder.
System Notification: "Night's Razor recorded (3/5). HP: 65/100."
The blade sheared through her coat, drawing a line of blood. She hissed and somersaulted backward, landing on the crate-strewn floor.
Above them, the ferry's engines rumbled into motion. Water surged through hull cracks, and the ship began to pull away from the pier.
Zephyr seized the moment and pursued, fists igniting with blood-energy. He lunged with Savage Claw—three rapid strikes—to cut off her retreat.
System Notification: "Savage Claw recorded (3/3). MG: 25%."
Two claw marks bloomed across a crate as Rook bounded up the central ladder to the promenade deck. Zephyr followed, heartbeat a drum.
On deck, fishermen's boats faded astern. The Ravenwing creaked and pitched as it left the sheltered piers. Salt spray glittered in the morning light.
Jora and Malik emerged behind Zephyr, weapons drawn. Elda guarded the aft hatch.
Rook sprinted down the starboard walkway—her movements fluid, almost inhuman. Zephyr activated Feral Sprint, limbs coiling with lupine power.
System Prompt: "Feral Sprint active. Cost: 15 MG."System Notification: "Feral Sprint recorded (3/5). MG: 10%."
He closed the gap in three bounds, boots thudding on metal. Rook spun, blade arcing; Zephyr blocked with his forearm—pain flaring—and retaliated with a blood-infused punch that cracked her jaw.
She reeled, hand flying to her face. Zephyr caught her arm, twisting in a leverage lock.
"Enough games," he growled. "You come quietly, or—"
A rifle shot rang from the upper bridge. Malik shouted, "Bridge guard!" A lone enforcer peered over the railing, aim steady.
Zephyr loosened his grip on Rook and dove aside as the bullet shredded wood where his head had been a heartbeat before.
Rook used the distraction, hurling a smoke grenade at his feet. Smoke blossomed in pale clouds, obscuring vision. Zephyr coughed, disoriented, as she slipped away toward the bow.
Within the smoke, Zephyr's senses sharpened: the scent of salt, the thrum of engines, Rook's footfalls on wet metal. He closed his eyes, tracing the rune-talisman's warmth. He exhaled, steadying his breath, and activated Veil of Ashes.
System Prompt: "Veil of Ashes active. Cost: 40 HP."System Notification: "HP: 25/100."
His form blurred at the edges, silent in the swirling fog. He moved toward the railing where Rook had vanished. The deck's curve pointed to the prow.
He spotted her silhouette there—backlit by the rising sun. She stood atop the bow rail, dagger poised, wind tearing at her coat. Below, open sea stretched to the horizon.
Zephyr stepped from the fog, silent as the tide. Rook spun, surprise flickering in her amber eyes. He raised his hand, energy pulsing.
"Stop."
She hesitated. The ship lurched; a massive wave thundered against the hull, soaking both in brine.
Zephyr pressed on. "This ends now."
Her lips twisted into a bitter smile. "You can't save me, Bloodwolf. I'm beyond saving."
Zephyr flexed his fingers, claws whispering free. His VP gauge at 25 HP, MG at 10%. He could draw from Hemaleth Essence—pull every drop of power. But he hesitated, recalling his vow: no blind slaughter.
He instead channeled the rune's anchor—hybrid focus. He advanced slowly, matching her stance atop the rail.
"Run with me," he said. "Leave the Covenant's plans behind. Come back to the Pack."
She laughed, tears mingling with sea spray. "The Pack abandoned me centuries ago. Now I serve science."
The ship rocked violently as it entered open water. Zephyr braced for balance. Rook lunged, dagger slicing. He blocked with Savage Claw (unlocked melee without MG cost this time), redirecting her momentum.
System Notification: "Savage Claw (overload) executed."
Her dagger clattered overboard into the abyss. She stared at the empty railing, breath ragged. Zephyr closed the distance and pressed a palm to her arm, transfusing a sliver of Hemaleth to steady her.
System Prompt: "Use Hemaleth Essence?"He tapped the vial in his pocket twice—enough for stability, not power. He poured a single drop onto her wrist rune. She gasped as warmth suffused her veins.
She sagged against him, body limp. Zephyr half-carried, half-guided her to the deck beneath the bridge. Rennan and Malik met them, weapons lowered.
"You did it," Rennan said quietly.
Zephyr set Rook on the deck. "Let's get her to the Silverfang Hold. She deserves a chance at truth."
Below decks, Jora and Elda prepared a secure cabin. Rook lay on a cot, eyes closed, breathing steady. Zephyr hovered, gaze torn between triumph and sorrow.
He sat beside her and spoke softly: "You weren't beyond saving. You were lost."
Her eyes fluttered open—amber softened by vulnerability. "I… thank you."
Zephyr offered a gentle nod. "We'll find a place for you. And you'll help undo the Covenant's experiments."
She managed a small, weary smile. "I owe you my life."
Zephyr looked to the dim corridor. Corin's voice crackled in his comm: "Bloodwolf—updates?"
Zephyr tapped his earpiece. "Rook is in custody. Heading back to Hold for debrief."
Corin's voice steadied. "Excellent. I'll prepare the archive for her testimony."
Zephyr exhaled, relief and exhaustion mingling like tide and sand. "Thank you, brother."
They emerged onto the twilight deck as the Ravenwing's sirens softened. The harbor lights bloomed in the distance, promising home. Zephyr stood at the railing, wind tugging at his hair, the rune-talisman warm and steady.
Rook joined him, voice quiet. "Where do I go from here?"
He offered a hand. "Wherever you choose. The Silverfang will welcome you—or the Gray Court. But first, rest."
She took his hand, eyes meeting his in honest dawn. "Thank you… Bloodwolf."
Zephyr joined Rennan and Jora on the prow, watching the city's silhouette grow. The Pack's future, Covenant's balance, and his own legacy coalesced in that shifting sunrise.
System Notification: "Quest [008] Rook captured: Complete. New Quest: Return to Hold—Debrief & Next Directive."
He sheathed his blade and turned toward home. The battles ahead would be harder still, but with allies by his side and honor in his veins, Zephyr Ardent—the Bloodwolf—knew he could face whatever storms the moon and blood would bring.