"This is it."
Aldo pointed to one of the largest mine entrances, his voice carrying a hint of trembling anticipation.
"This is one of our tribe's best-hidden strongholds, and our last hope. If they aren't here either... then I really don't know where else they could have gone..."
Douglas said nothing, simply taking the lead toward the mine.
Lupin and Aldo followed close behind.
Once they entered the mine, the light abruptly dimmed.
The air was filled with the damp, earthy smell of soil and a faint tang of rust.
The mine tunnels crisscrossed like a maze, with countless branching paths.
Relying on his memory, Aldo led the way. They kept threading through the complex caves, twisting and turning as though they were heading deep into the heart of the earth.
"This is our innermost refuge. We originally excavated it to escape the joint onslaught of the Church and another hostile werewolf tribe."
Aldo explained as he walked, his voice echoing through the empty mine tunnels.
"For safety, we deliberately dug out many passages that weren't originally here, making it like a maze. It means taking a long way around, but it keeps this place as safe as possible. It also connects to an underground river, so if anything happens, we can retreat by water."
As they went deeper, the air seemed to grow a little warmer, and they could even faintly hear the soft sound of flowing water coming from somewhere.
Lupin could sense the distinctive scent of werewolves in the air gradually growing clearer, too.
At last, behind an enormous stalagmite shaped like a monster's fang, they saw signs of excavation-an opening reinforced with thick logs and irregular stones.
Beside the entrance, a bonfire blazed. Its orange-red flames danced merrily, driving away the surrounding darkness and cold and