- 5 hours ago
Return of the Mad Wolf
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Short filmTranscript
00:00The day I was brought back to the Silverbacked Wolf Clan, the long stairway of Silverkeep was lined with people.
00:05At the top of the stone steps, Lena suddenly grabbed my arm. She leaned in close and whispered.
00:18The next second, she threw herself backward and tumbled down the long staircase, finally landing halfway down.
00:24She had only scraped a little skin off her forehead, yet she was already sobbing as if she were dying.
00:30Don't blame Rhea. She suffered so much out there. She hates me. That's only natural. If she wants this place,
00:37I can't say that. You will always be my child.
00:40Kale's face darkened, one hand already resting on his weapon. Dorian stood above us, looking down at me with cold
00:46eyes.
00:47Come here. Kneel.
00:48No one asked what had happened. No one doubted her. I stood there barefoot, still wearing the ragged old clothes
00:53given to me by the split phone pack, completely out of place among these nobles.
00:57If she wants to die, that drop wasn't nearly high enough. Nice performance.
01:01Selene's face twisted with rage, and she rushed at me to strike me.
01:05You care so much about her, I said. Then you should try it for yourself.
01:09I shoved her down the stairs, her crown shattering against the stone.
01:12With a roar, Kale drew his blade and lunged at me. The tip aimed straight at my throat.
01:16I turned my head and dodged, then drove my knee hard into his stomach.
01:20Kale's weapon flew from his hand.
01:28Kale, when I was fighting hyenas for my life in the black market pits, you probably hadn't even learned how
01:34to kill yet.
01:35Dorian's voice turned cold.
01:36Let him go.
01:37I didn't move. I only pressed the blade a little closer.
01:41Or what?
01:44I walked over to Lena and crouched in front of her.
01:47She looked up at me, her eyes full of fear.
01:49Dorian snapped.
01:51Lena has been frail since childhood. Do you have any idea how much she suffered?
01:55At that, I laughed.
01:57The jewels on her head are worth enough to keep the people of Splitfern alive for years.
02:01And you call that suffering? Then what do you call me?
02:03Lena clung to my wrist, crying, her face pitiful and pleading.
02:21I planted one foot on Lena's back, pulled out my bone blade, and sliced through the tendon in her leg.
02:27Her scream came out raw and broken, but she couldn't wrench herself free.
02:30Selene was completely frozen now.
02:33I didn't stop.
02:33The second strike's lit Lena's throat clean open.
02:36Her body convulsed a few times, then went still.
02:41I flicked the blood from my hand and looked up at Dorian.
02:44She's dead.
02:46Why don't you go on about how much she suffered?
02:48The next second, Selene finally let out a shriek and threw herself over the body,
02:53sobbing so hard she could barely breathe.
02:55Kale charged at me like a madman, but I kicked him away.
02:58His back slammed into a stone pillar.
03:00Not one of them dared come closer.
03:02Selene looked up at me.
03:04You're not one of the silverback wolves.
03:07You're a monster.
03:08I couldn't be bothered to answer.
03:12I grabbed a maid at random and made her take me to an old building in the most remote corner
03:16of Silver Keep.
03:18The walls were gray and lifeless, as if no one had lived there in years.
03:24I liked it.
03:25At least it was quiet.
03:27And warmer than the stone case of the Riftbone Abyss.
03:35I washed the blood from my hands and set the bone blade on the table.
03:39The face in the mirror was pale.
03:41A scar ran down the left side.
03:43My eyes were as cold as the wasteland at night.
03:45I hadn't come back for family.
03:47I hadn't come back for love.
03:49I had only come back to take what was mine.
03:51It wasn't long before pounding came from outside.
03:54The blows on the door grew heavier and heavier until the whole building shook.
03:58I lowered my eyes to the bone blade on the table and smiled.
04:03Looks like they couldn't wait very long.
04:08When I opened the door, the courtyard outside was already packed with silverback guards carrying spears, shields, and short blades.
04:16They had sealed off the entire yard, leaving not even the smallest path of escape.
04:20The air was thick with killing intent.
04:22But before they could even speak, the first man lunged at me, raising his blade and slashing down.
04:28I shifted aside, avoided the strike, and snapped his wrist in one smooth motion.
04:33Before he could even scream, he dropped to his knees.
04:38The second man rushed in from the side.
04:40I lifted my leg and drove a kick into his knee.
04:42The third came at me with a spear, trying to force me back.
04:46Before he could even touch me, I snatched the shaft from his hands and smashed the butt of it into
04:50his chest,
04:51sending him sprawling.
04:53The rest still held their weapons, but their steps slowed.
04:57A fourth man was shoved forward from behind.
04:59He had barely made it halfway before his legs gave out.
05:02I stepped over the blood on the ground and walked slowly out of the circle.
05:06Selene stood in the back, hair disheveled, crying so hard she could barely catch her breath.
05:11She pointed at me, her voice sharp enough to cut the air.
05:14That monster crawling, crawling back from the Riffbone Abyss, has no right to stay in Silverleg!
05:22I didn't even look at her.
05:23My eyes settled only on Dorian.
05:26You want me dead?
05:28The courtyard fell silent.
05:30Everyone was waiting for Dorian to answer.
05:34Of course he did.
05:35But he also knew what people would say if I died now.
05:38That the Silverbacked Wolf Clan had raised a fake daughter and driven their true blood heir to death for her
05:42sake.
05:43If that story spread, Silverkeep would become a laughingstock.
05:46You brought me back.
05:47Was it really because your conscience finally woke up?
05:50Or is it because the Nightspine royal family has been selecting marriage candidates?
05:54A fake bloodline won't survive scrutiny so that's when you remembered me.
05:58He said nothing, but his silence was answer enough.
06:01I raised my bone blade and pressed it lightly to his shoulder.
06:04Around us, the guards lifted their weapons, yet none dared charge.
06:13After a moment, Dorian finally raised a hand.
06:16I looked at him without the slightest surprise, because I had already learned something simple.
06:21In a place like this, the crueler one is the one who gets to survive.
06:25Lena's death was quickly covered up.
06:27To the outside world, they said she had died of illness.
06:29They shut me inside the side courtyard and called it rest.
06:33I sat on the stone steps, sharpening my bone blade.
06:35When the guards changed shifts, I slipped out of the side courtyard and headed straight for the garden.
06:41So gentle, and she died at the hands of that lunatic.
06:45Ria is nothing like one of the silverback wolves.
06:48She even dared to strike Selene.
06:50One day she'll get everyone killed.
06:52Something crawling out of the Riftbone abyss should never have been allowed into silver clay.
06:55I stepped out from behind the flowered archway.
06:57The voices stopped at once.
06:59Go on.
06:59You're still under confinement.
07:01Sneaking out like this.
07:02Do you want to make the same mistake twice?
07:04I killed Lena.
07:05Do you really think this scares me?
07:10When Vera struggled back out of the mud, her face and hair were filthy.
07:18She shrieked and lunged at me.
07:20I sidestepped, and she fell face first into the mud again.
07:23Then two young men rushed into the garden with guards behind them.
07:26They were Vera's brothers.
07:27The moment they saw her, their eyes went red, and they drew their blades and charged me.
07:31When the first swung at me, his elbow dislocated on the spot.
07:34The second tried to attack from behind.
07:36I grabbed him by the collar and held him straight into the flower bed.
07:40The guards around us still didn't dare come forward.
07:42I brushed the dirt from my hands and looked at Vera.
07:47If I ever hear you talking nonsense behind my back again, I will make you suffer worse than Lena.
07:53Her eyes were full of hatred.
07:54When I returned to the side courtyard, Dorian was already waiting at the entrance.
07:58What on earth are you trying to do?
08:00The entire silver fort is talking about you.
08:03Let them talk.
08:05I want what rightfully belongs to me.
08:07Food, clothing, weapons and shelter, none of these can be missing.
08:11Furthermore, anyone who dares to put on airs in front of me again will face my wrath.
08:18Dorian stared at me, but he also knew that force alone was no longer enough.
08:22In the end, he said only one thing.
08:25Give her what she asked for.
08:27A few days later, another piece of news spread through Silver Keep.
08:31Dorian had decided to choose a mate for me through a public combat contest.
08:35He wanted to get rid of me as fast as possible.
08:37As long as I left Silver Keep, whether I lived or died afterward would no longer be his problem.
08:42When I heard, I laughed.
08:44Good.
08:44That meant I could break their rules in broad daylight.
08:48The arena was set up in the Whitestone Square in front of Silver Keep.
08:52A great crowd gathered that day, nobles, guards, foreign warriors, and people who had come only to watch the spectacle.
08:58They all wanted to see who would take away the madwoman who had returned and killed Lena on her first
09:03day back.
09:03The rules are simple.
09:06Whoever beats me takes me away.
09:08If you can't win, get off the stage.
09:13The crowd erupted in whispers.
09:17The first to step up was a huge outsider carrying a battle axe, his face full of contempt.
09:22A woman.
09:23He never finished the sentence.
09:25I kicked him hard in the abdomen.
09:28And a moment later, he was the one rolling off the platform.
09:33The second lasted a few moves longer than the first.
09:36The third had barely come close before I shattered his kneecap.
09:39Before long, all the laughter below the stage was gone.
09:43They had finally understood.
09:44I wasn't bluffing.
09:46I really would cripple them.
09:48Then a young man in a dark green robe stepped onto the platform, calm and unhurried.
09:53He bowed to me with polished grace and smiled.
09:55A woman like you shouldn't be standing here.
10:00You ought to stay indoors, properly cared for.
10:03You've been to war?
10:05A few battles.
10:06Don't worry.
10:08I'll hold back.
10:12Are you going down by yourself or shall I see you down?
10:15The next second, his sword thrust toward my shoulder and throat.
10:20His first blow aimed at my shoulder and neck.
10:22The second cut toward the back of my knee.
10:25He clearly meant to cripple me first and finish the match with dignity.
10:29Unfortunately for him, he was facing me.
10:32The third time he came in close, I drove a kick into his chest and sent him stumbling
10:37back there.
10:37Before he had even regained his balance, I was already there.
10:41My bone blade hovering just in front of his throat.
10:46He still tried to hold on to his pride, so I kicked the back of his knee.
10:51He dropped to his knees on the stone with a heavy thud.
10:55I grabbed him by the back of the collar and flung him on the platform like trash.
11:03Then I turned to look up at Dorian.
11:07So the men you brought me aren't very impressive either.
11:10From today on, this place will no longer be used to choose mates.
11:16From today on, this is a recruitment ground for guards.
11:23Any woman with nowhere to go, any woman cast aside by her family,
11:28any woman who can't survive where she is, she can come here.
11:33If she dares to step up and dares to hold the blade, I'll take her.
11:37The noble section exploded at once.
11:39She's insane!
11:40How can women serve as guards?
11:42She's destroying the laws of the Silverback clan!
11:45Change.
11:52At first, most people treated the female guard arena as a joke.
11:56But at dawn the next morning, someone came.
11:58The first girl to step onto the platform was so thin she looked like little more than bones.
12:03I could have knocked her down in two moves.
12:05She spat blood from her mouth, then pushed herself back to her feet.
12:09I asked.
12:12Stay.
12:13Then came the second, the third, the fourth.
12:15None of them had ever received proper training.
12:18But they all had something the men of Silverkeep did not.
12:21They truly wanted to live.
12:22So I began teaching them myself.
12:24When word of it reached Dorian, it angered him so badly that he took to his bed.
12:28At dusk, Kale blocked my path in the corridor.
12:31If anything happens to him I won't let you get away with it.
12:35I stopped and gave him a once over.
12:38You?
12:40And how exactly are you planning to do that?
12:43That night, Dorian woke and sent for me.
12:44He wants to see you.
12:45Inside the room, Dorian was half reclining against the headboard, his face waxy and pale.
12:51Kale stood at the foot of the bed.
12:52Selene sat beside him.
12:54I pulled over a chair and sat down on my own.
12:57What do you want?
12:58Dorian stared at me.
12:59Do you even know what you're doing?
13:05Yes.
13:08I'm giving a way out to the people you threw away.
13:13You are one of Silverhawk.
13:14You should not be mixing with those lowborn retchels.
13:17I turned to look at her and slowly rose to my feet.
13:21One of Silverhawk?
13:23When exactly did any of you ever treat me like one of your own?
13:28When I was three and my ribs were broken, where were you?
13:33When I was five and they nearly shattered both my legs, where were you?
13:36When I was ten and my belly was split open in the death pits and I dragged myself off to
13:41find water while holding my guts in, where were you then?
13:43You threw me into hell, and now that I've crawled out alive, you think I'm filthy.
13:49You think I'm too cruel.
13:51It wasn't like that.
13:52It was exactly like that.
13:54You never cared what I would become.
13:57You only wanted me gone.
13:58Then I turned toward Dorian.
14:00And as for you, the Night Spine Royals for choosing marriage candidates.
14:04You couldn't send them a fake.
14:05That's why you remembered me.
14:07A serpent rushed in.
14:08Kale was shot.
14:09Someone has come from the Night Spine Royal family!
14:11Everyone in the room froze.
14:13In the courtyard stood a line of female guards dressed in black and silver light armor, silent and cold as
14:19drawn blades.
14:20Mira wants to see me.
14:22I glanced at her once, then turned and walked out.
14:28A black obsidian carriage waited outside, marked with the crest of the Night Spine Royal house.
14:38Once the carriage door shut, the female guard finally spoke.
14:42Mira has heard that Silverlech has produced a rather interesting wolf.
14:49And?
14:52She wants to make a deal.
14:55Mira wants to bring you under her command.
14:59For three years, you will work for her.
15:02In exchange, she will settle Silverlech's troubles and give you, and the women you've gathered, proper status and equipment.
15:08The carriage rode all the way to the Night Spine Royal Fortress.
15:12What kind of work?
15:13You will go where no one wants to go.
15:15Kill those no one dares kill and investigate matters no one dares touch.
15:20She thinks you're suited for it.
15:22I didn't answer right away.
15:23This felt less like an invitation and more like someone choosing a useful blade.
15:27But I didn't mind.
15:29The Night Spine stronghold was colder than Silverkeep.
15:31It felt more like a place that ruled over life and death.
15:35Mira sat high above, her black robes almost blending into the shadows.
15:39Are you afraid to kill?
15:41No.
15:42Why recruit female guards?
15:47Because I've seen too many women treated like goods to be traded.
15:54I don't like that way of living.
15:57Sign it.
15:58A blood contract formed in the dare.
15:59For three years, you and your people will obey only the Night Spine Royal House.
16:04I bit my finger and pressed it to the contract.
16:07A flash later.
16:09The pack sank into my body.
16:12This Moon Silver Blade belongs to you now.
16:16From this moment on, you are no longer Silverlet's problem.
16:19You are a blade of the Night Spine Royal House.
16:22I tightened my hand around the hilt and said nothing.
16:25But I knew exactly what mattered.
16:27The Night Spine Royals gave me three days to return to Silverkeep and settle old matters.
16:32When I went back wearing new light armor and carrying the Moon Silver Sword,
16:35even the guards at the gate didn't dare stop me.
16:38Dorian, Selene, and Kale were all in the main hall.
16:41Their eyes went first to the crest on my armor.
16:44So she really accepted you?
16:46I came to say goodbye.
16:47From this moment on, I no longer belong to Silverholt.
16:49I belong to the Night Spine Royal House.
16:51Don't go.
16:52We're still family.
16:53Save those words.
16:54And say them at Lina's grave.
16:57I went back to the side courtyard to gather my things, only to realize how little I actually owned.
17:03A few old clothes, a whetstone, and a bone blade.
17:08Then suddenly, a scream rang out from outside.
17:15When I pushed the door open, Silverkeep was already in chaos.
17:19Men in black had stormed into the main hall.
17:21Kale had taken a deep cut across the shoulder while trying to shield Selene.
17:26Dorian had drawn his sword too, but his face was white, and he could barely stand.
17:30I didn't hesitate.
17:31I drew the Moonsilver Blade and charged.
17:34The first assassin took my sword through his chest.
17:37The second had just turned when I cut the tendons in the gun.
17:42The third tried to flee, but I kicked him to the ground when he was there.
17:47Who sent you?
17:49Before he could answer, black blood spilled from the corner of his mouth, poison hidden in his teeth.
17:54I crouched and tore a bone token from one of the bodies.
17:57I had seen this before in the Rift on a base.
18:02Dorian pressed a hand to his wound and called after me.
18:05Maria, thank you.
18:08Don't misunderstand.
18:09I just didn't want to watch you die at someone else's hands.
18:12You still haven't repaid what you owe me.
18:14I left Silverkeep with the token.
18:16My first assignment came quickly.
18:18There was a collateral noble in the Dark Reef region,
18:21a Nightspine vassal who had been smuggling cubs,
18:24trafficking slaves, and diverting military supplies.
18:26Meera wanted him dealt with, and she wanted it done fast.
18:30I left that very night with 30 newly formed female guards.
18:33Spare me!
18:34Spare me!
18:35All the gold coins, jewel slaves, they're all yours!
18:38Don't kill me!
18:47At dawn the next morning, I returned to report.
18:50The Nightspine commander looked at me calmly.
18:52Well done.
18:54But something has happened at Silverkeep again.
18:58I looked up at her.
18:59The second wave of the struck last night.
19:01Stronger than the first.
19:02Kale is dead.
19:04Dorian was poisoned.
19:05He died too.
19:06Selina survived, but she's half mad now.
19:08After a brief silence, I let out a short laugh.
19:10They're both dead.
19:12Retribution came quickly.
19:13Meera doesn't care who takes over Silverlock.
19:16As long as that place does not fall into disorder,
19:18you are the most suitable choice.
19:20I'll do it.
19:21But I have one condition.
19:23Name it.
19:24Selene lives.
19:25I want her to watch me take everything she ever cared about.
19:29When I returned to Silverkeep bearing the Nightspine Royal Decree,
19:32Black Morning Cloth already hung over the gates.
19:36Lord Rowan stopped me at the entrance.
19:39You no longer belong to Silvertock.
19:42You have no right to enter.
19:44I held the decree in front of his face.
19:48The Nightspine Royal House has authorized me
19:50to take command of Silverhedge and the Silverback Army.
19:53If you object, go speak to Meera yourself.
19:58I didn't spare him another glance.
20:00I walked straight into the hall and looked once at the two bodies.
20:03Take them away.
20:04Bury them.
20:05An elder was trembling with anger.
20:07You have no right!
20:10I looked at him.
20:11Then stop me.
20:12No one moved.
20:14A servant reported that Selene was raving in the rear court,
20:17demanding to see me.
20:18When I arrived,
20:20the moment she heard the door open,
20:22she rushed at me and pounded her fists against me.
20:27This is all your fault!
20:28You killed them!
20:31I stood still and let her wear herself out.
20:35Only then did I grab the wrist and force her back into the chair.
20:40If all you want to do is lose your mind,
20:42I'm not interested.
20:43But if you still remember what you did,
20:45I can remind you.
20:47The person who sent me out of Silverhold all those years ago
20:50was not anyone else.
20:53It was you.
20:54Her expression froze.
20:59You sent me to the Riffbone Abyss for Lord Rowan.
21:03And then you kept the daughter you had with him.
21:05Lena, safe inside Silverkeep.
21:08You protected her so fiercely,
21:10not because she was innocent,
21:11but because she carried your blood.
21:14Her looks trembled, but no words came.
21:16So it's not that you don't know how to love,
21:17it's just that you never loved me.
21:19It wasn't like that!
21:20It wasn't!
21:22You know better than anyone whether it was.
21:24Throw her into the water prison.
21:26Without my order, she does not come out.
21:28After dealing with her,
21:29I went to the side hall where Lord Rowan was staying.
21:32He is unworthy of holding power!
21:35As expected, Dara was there,
21:36saying that Silverhold should never fall into my hands.
21:39The moment I stepped inside,
21:41the whole room fell silent.
21:43Pack your things and get out.
21:45I am your kin!
21:46You are not!
21:47Of all the people who sent me to the Riffbone Abyss,
21:51you deserve death the most.
21:52You will eventually, in the trial of the Moon Goddess,
21:56you will meet an immiserable end
21:57with no place to bury your bones!
22:05We're leaving!
22:06We'll leave at once!
22:08The elders in Silverheck
22:09will not let you off!
22:12I wiped the blood from my hand.
22:16Let them come.
22:17Let them come.
22:18I have been, are you?
22:19I'm going to walk on!
22:20I'm so happy!
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