With a scornful sneer, Bloodhound effortlessly shattered the chains binding his wrists and legs. The iron links yielded under his brute force, snapping like brittle twigs. The potency of being a blood mage granted Xander an incredible physical prowess and raw strength.To Bloodhound, both the mage hunters and the assassins who feigned rescue were mere prey. The confused mage hunters were torn between targeting Xander and the assassins, whom they mistook for Xander's allies due to the chaos.Under the mounting pressure, their attention shifted to Keeran, who lay dazed against a tree after receiving a blow from Xander's mighty fist."Time to feast," Bloodhound roared, his voice dripping with predatory anticipation. He lunged at the nearest blue-armored soldier, his punch effortlessly piercing through the soldier's metal armor, leaving a gaping wound."What in the world is happening?" The duke's voice trembled with shock and horror as he witnessed Xander's transformation."Did he just...

With the passing of control, Xander's consciousness reclaimed its throne within his own body. As the reality of the gruesome scene before him settled in, a shiver coursed down his spine, accompanied by a profound sense of dread."What in the world have you done?" Xander's voice trembled, his eyes fixed on the bloody tableau that surrounded him, even though he had witnessed it all through his own eyes during Bloodhound's reign.Time was of the essence, and Xander knew it. His blood mage powers were waning, and he had to escape before more pursuers, be they mage hunters or assassins, arrived on the scene."We're in deep trouble," Xander growled, his determination burning bright as he bolted away, his form blurring in his haste.His heart raced as he sprinted through the forest, leaving the site of carnage behind. Yet, amidst his frantic escape, another heartbeat, faint but distinct, reached his ears. Xander's instincts kicked in, and he slowed, his senses attuned to his surroundings."T

Exhaustion weighed heavily on Xander as he surveyed the aftermath of the intense battle. His body felt like a sack of lead as he stumbled towards the fallen elf. Gently cradling her head, he tried to rouse her from unconsciousness."Hey...wake up," he whispered, his voice laced with concern.Gently lifting her body, he felt the cold grip of the dagger embedded in her back. A pool of blood had formed beneath her, staining his hands as he tried to assess her condition.Her face, drained of color due to the blood loss, made her appear even more ethereal and fragile. Xander couldn't help but be captivated by her beauty, even in such dire circumstances."She's dying, you idiot. Focus on saving her," Bloodhound's harsh voice broke through Xander's thoughts, reminding him of the urgency of the situation.The elf's eyelids fluttered open, revealing her weakened gaze as she looked up at Xander. He couldn't help but notice her piercing blue eyes, even in her weakened state."Don't die on me," X

Suddenly, heavy footsteps echoed outside the cave, cutting through the rain's rhythm. Xander's eyes widened in alarm, his heart pounding. "Who's that?"Lucious' voice remained eerily calm. "Mage Hunters. They've caught up."Xander's panic was palpable. "We're fucked."With deliberate slowness, Lucious rose to his feet, his expression remorseful. "I'm sorry, Xander."Xander's voice trembled with fear and frustration. "Sorry won't save our asses now."Lucious' lips curved into a bittersweet smile. "I'm sorry for this, truly."Before Xander could react, Lucious lunged at him, his teeth sinking into Xander's neck. The pain was sharp and overwhelming, and Xander's body went rigid. He felt his blood being drained, his strength diminishing with each heartbeat.After what felt like an eternity, Lucious released his grip, and Xander pushed him away with all the strength he could muster. His vision blurred, and he gasped, clutching his neck. "What the hell did you do? You freakin' monster!" Xan

Atheria returned to their camp and settled down before the prince, the crackling campfire casting flickering shadows around them. She watched him sleep, his features relaxed, as if nothing was wrong in the world. She couldn't help but mutter under her breath, "How can he sleep so peacefully?"For the next few hours, Atheria remained lost in deep thought, her gaze occasionally flickering to the prince's form. The night seemed to stretch on, and the chirping of crickets was the only sound that accompanied her contemplation.As the first hints of dawn began to lighten the sky, Atheria's eyes widened. She noticed Xander slowly stirring, his eyelids fluttering as he woke. Xander stretched his muscles as he woke, his curiosity piqued by Atheria's seemingly sleepless night. "Didn't you sleep at all?" he asked in surprise.Atheria's eyes narrowed as she gave him a sarcastic look. "Unlike you, getting turned into a blood mage isn't exactly a relaxing experience that allows one to sleep."Roll