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1207 Words
Celestia sat by the small window, the dagger in her hands. The silver blade caught the moonlight, making it shine faintly in the dark room. The handle was shaped like a wolf’s head—sharp eyes, fangs bared, its design carved with great care. It looked more like a gift than a weapon. But Maraño said it helped him kill the Nightmare Wolf.
She stared at it.
A dagger… for a beast like that?
Celestia didn’t know if she believed it.
The Nightmare Wolf was no ordinary creature. It was something that could break armies, something that lived in the deepest fears of the South. Some said it had once been a man. Others said it was born from magic gone wrong. But whatever it was… it was powerful.
More powerful than her.
She remembered Maraño’s words clearly. His voice was calm, but serious.
“If you ever fail to contain the Nightmare Wolf… use this.”
He hadn’t finished the sentence. But she knew what he meant.
If she failed—if she lost control—if the Nightmare Wolf awakened inside her…
This dagger wasn’t just to kill it.
It was to kill her.
She held the weapon tighter, her hands trembling a little. She didn’t want to fail. She didn’t want to bring harm to anyone. But how could she be sure she wouldn’t? The magic inside her was growing stronger every day, and Freya’s healing spell had left her weak. What if the power someday broke loose?
The thought made her stomach twist.
The door opened behind her. She quickly set the dagger aside and turned.
Kieran stepped inside, brushing dust from his shoulders. His hair was messy, his clothes smelled like smoke and sweat. But his eyes softened when he saw her.
“You’re awake,” he said gently. “How are you feeling now?” he asked.
Celestia forced a smile.
“A bit better,” she answered. “Just tired. And hungry again,” she added.
“I’ll ask someone to bring food.” He walked closer and sat beside her. “You still look pale,” he added.
“I used too much power yesterday,” she admitted. “Freya warned me about this, but I wanted to help the wounded. I couldn’t just watch them suffer,” she said. Kieran nodded slowly.
“I know. And you helped a lot. Everyone was amazed,” he said. Then his voice dropped. “But… I wasn’t surprised,” he added.
She looked at him.
“Why?”
“Because I’ve seen how far you’ll go for others. Even if it hurts you,” he added.
Celestia felt her chest tighten. Kieran always knew what to say to break her guard.
“Earlier,” he continued, “I asked Dwayne to help watch the walls tonight. Some of our fighters are still recovering, and I didn’t want anything slipping past,” he added.
“That’s good,” she said softly.
They sat in silence for a moment. Then she asked, “Did Leader Maraño rest well?”
“Yes. Leon said he’s doing better now. That shoulder wound was deep, but thanks to you… he’ll recover,” he said. “Did he say anything else?” she asked. Kieran gave her a look.
“You’re thinking about the Nightmare Wolf again, aren’t you?”
She looked away.
“I can’t help it.”
“I understand,” he said.
She leaned on his shoulder and sighed.
“He gave me a dagger. Said it was the one he used to kill the Nightmare Wolf,” she said. Kieran tensed slightly.
“I saw it. The blade looks strange… like it was made for something other than people.”
“I just… I don’t know how something so small could stop a creature like that.”
“Maybe it’s not about the dagger,” he said quietly. “Maybe it’s about what it stands for,” he added.
She looked up at him.
“Like what?”
“Like… your last choice. If you ever lose control, that blade means someone will have to stop you,” he said.
Celestia’s stomach turned again. She hated that truth.
“But that’s not going to happen,” he added quickly. “Because I’ll be there. I won’t let the Nightmare Wolf take you,” he said.
She wanted to believe that.
She wanted to believe in him. In herself. In this fight.
But deep inside, fear still sat quietly in her heart.
“I wish we had more time,” she whispered.
“We’ll take what time we have,” Kieran said, placing a kiss on her forehead.
He stood and walked to the door.
“I’ll get food. And tell Adelaide you’re up. She’s been waiting all day to check on you,” he said.
“Thank you,” Celestia said. He smiled and left.
Kieran stepped out of their quarters, pulling the door gently closed behind him. The night air was cooler now, and stars dotted the sky above the Red Hills. Fires from the camp still burned low.
He took a deep breath and was just about to head toward the kitchen tent when someone called his name.
“Kieran!” Flint jogged over, holding something in his hand.
Kieran turned. “What is it?”
Flint reached out and handed him a small glass bottle filled with thick, dark red liquid.
“Here,” Flint said. “Mother drinks this whenever she uses her power a bit too much. It helps with the shaking, the headaches, all of it,” he added.
Kieran looked at the potion carefully. It smelled faintly sweet, like herbs and spice. He hadn’t seen one like this before.
“Thank you,” he said, meeting Flint’s eyes. “I’ll make sure Celestia drinks it.” He gave him a nod of respect and tapped Flint’s shoulder lightly.
“I owe you” Kieran sis.
Flint shook his head with a small grin. “You don’t. It’s nothing. And we need her to stay strong,” he said. “Besides, I like seeing you panic once in a while,” he added.
Kieran gave a tired chuckle.
“I wasn’t panicking.”
“Sure you weren’t,” Flint teased.
Then he stepped back and looked toward the outer walls.
“Dwayne’s waiting. Some of the eastern side still needs checking.”
“Be safe,” Kieran said.
“You too.” With that, Flint turned and jogged off, his sword swinging lightly at his side.
Kieran stood there for a moment, the potion still in his hand. Then he looked at the closed door behind him.
Alone again, she picked up the dagger and looked at it.
She could feel something inside the blade. Magic? A blessing? Or just memory?
Whatever it was, it had seen a beast—and lived.
Now it belonged to her.
She placed it in the chest by her bed and closed the lid.
“Not today,” she whispered. “You won’t be needed today,” she added.
Then she went to the mirror and tried to fix her hair. Adelaide would scold her if she looked like a mess.
- Writer
