The people in the Rift, including those from the Mantis Orquidea clan, bow before Lilu.
Lilu smiles gently in my direction, but then a loud noise is heard, and Lilu falls to the ground. Blood spurts from her leg.
"Lilu!"
I try to help her, but my wounds send pain and I feel dizzy and fall unable to get up again.
I wake up to the bustling of people. The Dorados welcome me. Their blond hair contrasting with their skin shines even more under the light. I find myself atop the great cliff. The view is painted from above, seeing the whole cave.
"What do you think of the beautiful view from my throne?"
The voice makes me shiver. It's Lord Eru on a golden throne, surrounded by his warriors and tamers. I realize my wounds have been treated.
"Why have you treated my wounds?"
"I believe you'll be more useful to me in full form."
When he says this, Aurora appears beside him. Lord Eru snaps his fingers, and she brings Lilu with a knife against her neck.
"Now you only have one option: swear by Altum that you'll obey my orders, or I'll kill your friend,"
Altum oath? The memories of Mukasa flash through my mind. I remember the Dorado dying and turning into that dark substance. The same oath that Aurora gave.
"And what will this oath entail exactly?"
"It's simple, from now on, you'll do exactly what I say without a word," Eru says with a wide grin.
I think of activating Mukasa's or Hoomul's mark, but I quickly quiet those thoughts. I don't see another option. Eru will kill Lilu if I refuse, and I don't think I can brute force my way out this time. Especially not with Eru here. But I will make sure to find a way around it.
I sigh.
"Very well, I accept. I swear by Altum that from now on, I will follow your orders."
Suddenly, I feel as if everything turns dark for a few seconds as if I am underwater, and then it suddenly banishes.
"Excellent,” he smiles casting shadows. “My first order will be for you to go to the Adamantita clan and convince their leader to join under my command. If you fail, I'll take it out on your friend."
With that, one of the tamers, whom I recognize as the woman who participated in capturing Rio and the Conejos, becomes my guide to the Adamantita clan.
“Have a nice one!” Lord Eru says.
Eventually, we reach the edges of a series of cliffs and sharp mountains.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
"My hounds will be waiting for you when you finish in the forest," the tamer says before leaving.
"Wait," I call her attention. "Do you know anything about another of the red wolves that recently arrived? About Enlil?"
The woman only smiles and resumes her way back to the golden clan. Her hounds follow behind.
I walk up the mountain until I reach a gorge. Blocking the path are two muscular, athletic guards with red hair. As I approach close enough, they point their bone spears at me.
"Get out of here unless you want us to paint the rock with your blood."
"I've come to deliver a message. My name is Altair, I'm from the Lobos Rojos."
"I won't repeat it, kid. Get lost."
I'm about to insist or search for another entrance when I feel a hand on my shoulder.
"Come on, don't be like that, Isu. He's with me."
I recognize the voice as Amator's. Beside him Ragnar.
“If you say so, but I won't let that traitor with you," one guard says, looking at Ragnar.
"Man, don't be like that. I know your family has a history with Ragnar, but this time he's here to participate in the the Dunnunu race. It would be a shame to miss the chance to bet and win big, don't you think?" Amator raises his brow and smiles.
“And are you planning to promote his entry?" the man sharpens his eyes.
"That's right."
The guards look at each other with mischievous smiles and let us pass.
We walk through the narrow gorge, but then Amator pushes me against the wall.
"They say you allied with the Dorados clan. Is that true?"
"No! That's not it. The Dorados kidnaped Enlil and Lilu, and I decided to go save them.”
“And then, Why are you here?”
“Lord Eru has Lilu as a hostage. He asked me to come and convince the Adamantite to join him to spear her life. He made me swear an Altum oath, but I don't pretend to follow his orders." I decide to tell the whole truth, not wanting to Amator doubt me even more.
"I see," Amator says, but he lunges at me and restrains my arms. Ragnar draws his sword and points it at my neck.
"What are you doing?" I shout.
"I'm sorry, I can't let you live. I have no way of knowing if you'll be able to refute the orders. The oath of Altum is not something you can break that easily."
"No, wait! I have a plan!"
Amator stays pensive for a few seconds.
"Say your piece”.
"I can help delay the advance of the Dorados by giving them false information. We can use that to plan a surprise attack!"
"Maybe, but Lord Eru will for sure use the oath and command you to kill us. Not only will you be a hard opponent, but If the Lengua Venenosa clan suspects you're no longer with us, they might refuse to help or straight up end up siding to protect you.”
I sharpen my face in long shadows.
"In that case, I will gladly disobey his command and forgo the punishment of Altum. If that means I will save people, if that means I won't hurt others" I say glancing sharply toward Amator.
Amator opens his eyes in surprise and lets out a laugh, finally letting me go.
"It seems Aleifr was right."
"What are you talking about?"
"Aleifr sent us to the Adamantita clan knowing that Lord Eru would send you here. At first, I thought he planned to kill you, but he told us to trust you."
"Aleifr said that?" I say, unable to hide a slight smile.
"I just wanted to make sure I could trust you on my own. I won't risk it when my clan is at stake," Amator says, resuming the walk along the gorge.
We walk until the mountains open up, revealing this landscape between different sharp mountains.
The atmosphere is enveloped in a festival-like vibe, with people talking and laughing heartily. Everyone has different shades of red hair. Most with as little clothing as shame, or none at all, allows. The chaos resembles entering a children's playground.
