Xander's grip on Celina tightened as he leaned in closer, his voice cold and unwavering. "I don't give a damn about your grand schemes, Duchess," he stated bluntly. "Dismantling the Hidden Hands? That's just a secondary objective for me. My main objective is vengeance."As he spoke, his canines slowly extended into fangs, the physical manifestation of his blood mage nature becoming apparent. His smile was chilling, a predator baring his teeth before the strike.King Richard, who had been observing the exchange with growing apprehension, recoiled slightly in shock. "So the rumors are true," he muttered, his voice barely more than a whisper. The realization that Xander was indeed a blood mage, a being of immense power and danger, dawned on him.Xander, however, paid no heed to the King's reaction. His focus was solely on Celina, who was now staring at him with a mix of fear and defiance. "Your father took someone very dear to me," Xander said, his voice laced with a simmering rage. "An

Two weeks ago, in the dense forest near the shoreline where Atheria had been thrown overboard, a tracker moved with silent purpose. His name was Caelum, a man with sharp, brown hair and a rugged appearance that spoke of years spent in the wilderness. A trained hunter, Caelum's keen eyes missed little in the natural world. Perched on his shoulder was his faithful companion, an eagle named Skye, whose sharp vision complemented his tracking skills.Caelum crouched near the water's edge, examining the faint footprints partially washed away by the tide. "She came ashore here, Skye," he murmured, his voice low but clear. "But these prints are uneven. She's wounded."Skye let out a soft screech, her eyes scanning the surroundings from her vantage point on Caelum's shoulder. The bird had been with Caelum for years, and their bond was one of deep mutual understanding.The tracker stood up, his gaze following the trail of footprints leading into the forest. "She's trying to cover her tracks, bu

Lyra turned to face King Richard, her expression solemn. "Your Majesty, what happened here must stay within these walls," she implored. "The Hidden Hands are more powerful and far-reaching than you can imagine."She continued, her tone grave, "If Celina is exposed and cornered, the Hidden Hands will retaliate in ways that could have dire consequences."Despite her recent transformation, Celina's defiance remained unshaken. She chimed in, "You may have slowed down my plans, but when my father, Duke Marvin, comes to Emberlyn, Mooncrest will fall."King Richard, acknowledging the complexity of the situation, replied, "I understand the gravity of what's at stake. In exchange for my silence, I expect full disclosure about the Hidden Hands."Lyra nodded in agreement. "Once we rescue Atheria, I promise to tell you everything," she assured him.The King nodded, his gaze then shifting to Celina. "This isn't over," he warned.Celina, with a smirk, retorted, "Bite me."At that moment, King Richa

As Celina's roar reverberated through the valley, she turned her fury towards Brie. "Kill them!" she commanded, her voice filled with rage and desperation.Brie, momentarily stunned by the rapid turn of events, hesitated but quickly sprang into action, lunging towards Xander. Her loyalty to Celina outweighed her confusion, propelling her into the fray.Xander, anticipating the attack, conjured his blood sword, its crimson blade materializing in his hand. The air crackled with the tension of the impending battle.Atheria and Lyra, realizing the situation had escalated, quickly moved to cover. Atheria, despite the dire circumstances, couldn't help but laugh in a mix of irritation and playfulness. "You always find trouble, don't you?" she remarked to Xander, her tone light despite the danger.Xander faced Brie head-on, their swords clashing with a ringing sound that echoed across the valley. Brie was a skilled fighter, her movements precise and calculated, but Xander's ferocity as a bloo

Atheria approached Xander, her arms folded, a look of concern etched on her face. "What happened to you?" she asked, her voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and worry.She continued, her eyes studying him intently. "I've seen you fight before, Xander, but this... this was different. You fought like you're Bloodhound." Her words were heavy with implication, suggesting a change in Xander that went beyond mere physical prowess.Lyra, overhearing Atheria's reference to 'Bloodhound,' looked visibly confused. The name didn't ring any bells for her, indicating that she was unaware of this aspect of Xander's personality.Xander let out a deep sigh, the weight of his recent experiences visible in his eyes. "I merged with my insane personality," he admitted, his voice low and somber. "I fully embraced being a Blood mage after I thought you died, Atheria."His confession hung in the air, a testament to the profound impact Atheria's supposed death had on him. It was a revelation of how deeply he