“Kill it first?” said Matthias, choking out laughter despite the situation. “Are you out of your mind?”

“The warg will hunt those who separate from the pack,” said Dante, ignoring Matthias’ words. “We must take advantage of that.”

“That sounds real easy,” said Matthias, glaring at Dante. “Would you kindly tell us how you plan to do that?”

“I need someone to act as a ruse,” said Dante, apparently not comprehending Matthias’ sarcasm. “That person will stand a few feet away from us. When the warg attacks that person, I will kill it.”

Luc, Matthias, and Baz all stared at Dante, eyes wide and jaws open.

“He’s lost his mind,” said Matthias. “The darkness is getting to him. I can tell.”

Luc heard a scuffling and scraping of claws near the group. It was much closer than he was comfortable to admit. Trying to keep from trembling, he shoved his way closer to Dante.

“We must hurry,” said Dante. “Every moment we waste talking is another moment the warg could attack. Now who will act as the ruse?”

“Hold on now,” said Matthias, holding up a hand. “If you’re so keen on this whole idea, why don’t you act as bait? That would solve all of our troubles, wouldn’t it?”

Dante sighed. “When hunting a being far stronger than ourselves, we must rely on the element of surprise to succeed. Fighting the monster head on is not an option.”

Matthias sneered. “Well, if you say that, I think the boy should do it. He’s the only one who hasn’t been riding in a slave wagon for an entire year.”

What? Luc’s heartbeat hit a pace faster than any racehorse he had ever seen. Closing his eyes and taking a few deep breaths, Luc managed to slow it to a reasonable sprint. I’m not a scaredy-cat. I’m a coward. I need to be smarter about things if I’m going to survive.

“Why don’t you do it instead?” said Luc, almost surprised at how calm his voice sounded. “Doesn’t it make sense for the bait to be strong and fast? All of that digging must keep you in tip-top shape. I’ve spent my time leading the land of Tosa to success and prosperity. Unfortunately, that doesn’t really involve much physical activity.”

“Success and prosperity? Come here you little - ”

“Quiet!’ interrupted Dante. “We are wasting time! The boy will serve as the ruse. End of discussion.”

“What?” said Luc, completely losing the calm he had tried so hard to obtain. “Do you know who you’re talking to? Do you know what will happen when someone finds out that a mere slave - ”

“It is not my personal decision to make you do this,” said Dante, placing a hand on Luc’s shoulder. “The Way says that those who cause a predicament have the responsibility of getting everyone out.”

Somehow, the gesture and Dante’s words managed to cool off Luc’s head. At least a little. He’s right, thought Luc, turning his gaze towards the ground. I must take responsibility for my actions.

“Do not feel like a victim,” said Dante, smile bright as the sun in the darkness. “You are a Lord, are you not? Is it not a Lord’s responsibility to make sure that his followers survive?”

I thought it was the other way around, thought Luc. But he kept his mouth shut. Raising his head, he looked Dante in the eyes.

“I’ll do it.”

The words came easy, but inside, Luc’s stomach threatened to hurl once more. His heart was once again racing so fast that he could barely catch his breath. Dante must’ve noticed because he suddenly placed Maho on the ground and grabbed Luc by both shoulders, bending down until their eyes were level.

“Do not be afraid,” said Dante. “I will not let you die. I promise.”

Ha! What good is a promise going to do for me?

“T-thanks,” said Luc, looking away.

“Good man,” said Dante, slapping Luc on the back. “I want you to stand about a dozen feet away from us. Far enough to be separate but close enough so we can see you in the light.”

Muttering prayers to the gods under his breath, Luc immediately started walking to where Dante had told him. Over his life, he had found that the longer he put something off, the more difficult it was to eventually do. As a coward, his prime motivation as to avoid difficulty, so it was in his best interest to get this over with as soon as possible. Even though it meant his death might be coming.

“Don’t die of fright before you get there, Lordling!” shouted Matthias. “Dante called you a Lord, but we all know what you really are!”

Luc’s fear overrode his anger. He ignored Matthias’ words and continued on his way, taking small step after small step.

“That is a good spot,” said Dante. “Perhaps take a few steps - ”

The warg burst out of the shadows, razor-like teeth inches away from Luc’s face in an instant. In that moment, time slowed down for Luc. He saw the inside of the warg’s mouth, a shade of red much darker than the mouth of a human. It had two rows of teeth, yellowed but sharp as blades. The rancid smell of rotting meet wafted from its mouth, making Luc’s mouth pucker.

I should’ve known, thought Luc. Ryko, Mina, and now Dante. Why does it seem like everyone wants to let me down?

Then the world went black.

Is this what death feels like?

A roar of a man rang through the pit and a single flame flared to life. As Luc’s eyes adjusted to the light, his eyes widened and he staggered backwards, falling on his behind.

In front of Luc, Dante held the warg’s mouth open, one hand latched on the top of the warg’s mouth and one hand on the bottom. Blood coursed down Dante’s arms, hands pierced by the dagger-like teeth of the warg.

The warg led out a monstrous howl and swiped at Dante with its claws. With nowhere to go, all Dante could do was twist his body as much as possible to lighten the blow. Still, the claws of the warg tore gashes along Dante’s torso, eliciting a grunt of pain from the man.

“Help him!” Luc found himself shouting. “Help him!”

No one came. The warg roared again, clawing again at Dante. This time, Dante managed to lash out with his leg, knocking the warg’s paw aside. But the kick caused Dante to lose his balance, letting the warg slam him down into the ground with its muzzle. Eyes lighting up at the sight of its prostrate prey, the warg bore down with its jaws, trying to tear Dante’s head off. Screaming with exertion, Dante’s arms trembled as he tried to keep the warg’s jaws apart.

“Help!” Luc screamed, vocal cords straining. “Help him! Anyone! I order you to save this man!”

Nothing.

Sitting on the ground, watching the man who saved his life slowly and painfully die, Luc realized two things. First, he realized that none of the people in this pit cared a lick that he was the heir of Tosa. No matter how much he screamed, no one would listen to him. Second, while he didn’t completely understand them, he finally felt the weight of the words Dante had spoken to him earlier.

Is it not a Lord’s responsibility to make sure that his followers survive?

Luc’s fingers wrapped around the nearest object he could find – a piece of rock the size of his fist. Releasing all of his pent-up emotions in a single cry, Luc rose to his feet and in one swift move, hurled the rock with all his might at the warg. The rock smacked the warg on the head, glancing off its forehead without even making a mark. But it was enough. The warg halted in its assault and raised its head, feral red eyes staring at Luc.

Luc met the warg’s eyes without hesitation. For an instant, monster and man stared at each other, unmoving. Then Luc raised his right arm, pointing a finger at the warg’s monstrous and distorted face. He spoke one word.

“[Kneel].”

/

[Kneel] was unsuccessful.

Luc fell to his knees, heart sinking. Are you kidding me?

But while the skill had failed, the word still seemed to affect the warg. After hearing the command, it simply stood there, eyes wide and staring straight at Luc, frozen from all movement.

Dante tore his hands from the warg’s teeth, spraying blood. Before the warg could react, Dante wrapped his arms around its neck in a bear hug. Muscles rippling along his back, Dante twisted his torso, wrenching the body of the warg with his arms. There was a sickening crunch, and the warg slumped to the ground. Although its eyes no longer saw, they remained fixated on Luc.

Chest heaving and body glistening with blood and sweat, Dante turned to look at Luc. Despite the pain written on his face, Dante managed a small smile.

“Matthias may say one thing. But you are beginning to look like a Lord to me.”

Then he collapsed to ground next to the warg’s corpse, unmoving.