Content Warning: This is a work of fiction. Depicts violence. All characters are 18+.
Intro: The Cost of Pride and Survival
When your father insults the Devil’s Marshall, it is not him who pays — it is his children. Joshua and Hilary have been running all night through a cold, unforgiving forest, hunted by three of the most dangerous enforcers in the land of the Red Mountain. Hilary has nothing left in her. Joshua refuses to leave her behind.
Their only hope is a border so dangerous that the legend surrounding it is itself a death sentence — the White Fang, prison of a banished demi-god.
This is a dark fantasy story about the price of a father’s pride, the bond between siblings, and an unexpected act of redemption from the last person either of them would ever trust. It also reflects an important reality: the actions of leaders or parents can have deep consequences on those who depend on them.
The Chase
"We need to hurry now!" Joshua exclaimed as he tried to drag his sister, but she wouldn't move. It had been a long night, and they had been running for hours from those who wanted to kill them. "Please."
But his sister couldn't move. She had used all her strength and lay there gasping for breath. She had given up on escaping, making up her mind to die there — either from their pursuers or from exhaustion. There was nothing more she could give, because she had nothing left.
The night was cold, colder than she had ever felt in all her eighteen years of life. It was like the devil was mocking her, making it difficult for them to escape. Many people said the devil enjoyed the chase, yet no one ever survived a visit from the Devil’s Marshall.
Her brother's voice brought her out of her thoughts.
"Come on, Hilary! We need to hurry or we will be done for. Please."
No More Strength
"Go on without me," she gasped, wheezing from the cold and thirst. "You need to save yourself and think of avenging me if they kill me."
"Don't be a fool, we can still make it to the border of the White Fang," he said.
That snapped her out of her weakness. She raised her head and looked at him with wild eyes.
She had heard rumours about the White Fang. Everyone in the villages around the Red Mountain knew the story — a cautionary tale passed down through generations. It was said that a demi-god once rebelled against his father, raising a legion of demons and terrifying creatures. The war that followed brought unimaginable destruction.
In the end, betrayal led to his fall. He was captured, tortured, and banished to the White Fang — a prison from which he could never escape.
"We can't go there," she wheezed. "That is a death sentence too."
"That is the only way. It is either we die here or over the border," her brother said.
What Father Did: Actions and Consequences
"Father insulted the Devil’s Marshall, and that led them to us. Now, to appease the devil, they need our lives as a sacrifice."
Her eyes widened.
"But I thought they were after our whole family?"
Her brother scoffed. "The Devil’s Marshall goes only for the children of those who insult them."
"But father was fighting for the people," she defended him.
"Father was a fool," he said, lifting her.
He continued, "The people don't always stand for what is right. Sometimes they only care about survival — food, shelter, and safety."
Into the Thicket
He carried her into a thick grove and covered them with leaves, pressing his hand over her mouth to keep her silent.
Moments later, three men burst through the trees, searching.
Their conversation revealed something deeper — not just danger, but dysfunction among the hunters themselves. Insults, carelessness, and lack of discipline made them unpredictable.
Monkey’s Reward: Violence and Choice
Joshua watched as tension between the men escalated. What began as insults quickly turned into violence. Monkey killed both men with calculated precision.
When it was over, he spoke calmly.
"You can come out now. I will not harm you."
They hesitated but obeyed.
"You two have earned me a reward," he said. "And as my reward, I will let you go."
The Coin and the Border: Redemption
Monkey tossed them a coin marked with a fang.
"That will get you through the border. It will also get you shelter and work. The White Fang will be the safest place for you — if you have that coin."
"Why are you doing this?" Joshua asked.
"Call it redemption. I have done bad things, and I hope a few good deeds can redeem my soul."
"Why not become something else?"
"Already sold my soul," he replied.
This reinforces a deeper lesson: redemption is possible, but some consequences cannot be undone — only managed.
Toward a New Destiny
Joshua watched him disappear into the darkness.
He looked at Hilary. She was still trembling, still weak — but she was standing.
That mattered.
"You ready?" he asked.
She looked back once — toward the Red Mountain, their past, and everything their father had cost them.
Then she faced forward.
"Let's go."
They walked into the unknown, carrying nothing but a coin and each other.
Behind them was the life they knew. Ahead was uncertainty — but also hope.
And in that moment, a quiet truth emerged:
Sometimes survival is not about strength alone, but about resilience, choice, and the courage to move forward despite fear.
Disclaimer & Lesson
This story is a work of fiction created for both entertainment and educational purposes.
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| Douye Soroh- |
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📚 Recommended Read
If you enjoyed this story, you'll love this epic dark fantasy series by one of the greatest living fantasy authors:
📖 Mistborn Book 4 — Brandon Sanderson | Get it on Amazon →
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