2025-02-01 03:51:06Vardy and his group disappeared into the night.
Simon Wells, Dean’s enforcer, was dead, and the balance of power in the city was beginning to shift.
But Vardy’s injury was severe, and as they made their way back to the sanctuary, he stumbled, his strength fading.
“You’re pushing yourself too hard,” Ferah said, her tone edged with frustration.
“I don’t have a choice,” Vardy replied, his voice barely above a whisper.
The spectral wolf let out a low whine, its glowing form pressing closer to him.
“You can’t keep doing this,” Tracy said firmly. “We’ll lose you before we even have a chance to fight Dean.”
“We’ll make it,” Vardy said, though his own words sounded hollow.
He fell again, this time more terrifying.
"Luthor! Over here!" Ferah's voice came sharply.
Luthor turned, his face pale with worry, and hurried toward her.
Ferah knelt beside Vardy, who was slumped against the wall, his breathing uneven. His cloak was soaked with blood.
The spectral wolf lay beside him, its glowing eyes fixed on its master, emitting a mournful whine.
"Help me get him up," Ferah barked as Luthor slid to a stop.
"How bad is it?" Luthor asked, his voice tight, as he crouched down.
"Bad," Ferah replied curtly. "We need to move now. Dean’s men won’t be far behind."
Luthor didn’t hesitate. He hooked one arm under Vardy’s shoulder, helping him up with a grunt. Vardy let out a low groan, his head falling to the side.
"Stay with us, Vardy," Luthor said, his tone strained but firm.
"I’m... fine," Vardy murmured weakly, though the way his legs buckled told a different story.
"Fine, my ass," Ferah snapped, slinging his other arm over her shoulder. "Keep quiet and let us do the heavy lifting for once."
“Where's Tracy?” Vardy asked.
“I sent her to inspect the cave....” Ferah answered.
---
Tracy was already pacing the room when Luthor and Ferah burst through the door, dragging Vardy between them.
"What the hell happened?" Tracy demanded, stopping mid-way.
"No time," Ferah said, her voice sharp as she and Luthor laid Vardy down on a battered cot in the corner. "He’s hurt bad."
Tracy grabbed a lantern and moved closer, her eyes narrowing as she inspected the wound on Vardy’s side. "This is worse than bad. What were you thinking, taking on Simon like that?"
"It worked, didn’t it?" Vardy muttered, his voice faint.
Tracy scoffed, setting the lantern down. "Yeah, sure, it worked. You killed Simon. But look at you now! Bleeding out in some godforsaken hole in the ground. Was it worth it?"
"Tracy," Luthor said quietly, stepping between her and Vardy. "Not now."
"When, then?" Tracy snapped, her frustration spilling over. "Because if we don’t talk about this now, he’s going to do it again. And next time, we might not be here to drag his half-dead body back!"
Ferah stood, her expression dark. "Enough, Tracy. Simon needed to go, and Vardy made it through.”
"At what cost?" Tracy shot back, her voice rising. "We’re supposed to be a team, but he keeps acting like it’s all on him. Like the rest of us are just….."
"Stop," Luthor said firmly, his tone brokering no argument. "Fighting isn’t going to fix anything."
"Neither is blindly following him into situations like this," Tracy muttered, though she stepped back reluctantly.
Vardy stirred, his hand moving weakly toward his staff, which rested nearby. His voice was barely audible.
"You think I don’t know the risks?" he rasped, his eyes darting between Tracy and Ferah. "You think I don’t feel the weight of every decision?"
Tracy folded her arms, her jaw tightening, but she didn’t respond.
Vardy struggled to sit up, wincing as pain shot through his side. "Simon’s death isn’t just another name to cross off a list. It destabilizes Dean’s entire operation. It gives us a fighting chance."
"A fighting chance for what?" Tracy asked, her voice softer now. "To replace Dean with someone else just as ruthless? To burn Haven to the ground in the process?"
"To give people hope," Vardy said simply.
The room fell silent.
Word of Simon’s death had spread quickly, whispered from alley to alley, market to market.
At a small bakery, a mother and her two children sat near the warmth of the oven.
"Do you think it’s true?" the eldest child asked, her wide eyes reflecting the faint glow of the fire.
"That the Dud killed Simon?" the mother replied, her hands trembling as she kneaded dough. "I don’t know. But if he did... things might start to change."
"Change how?" the younger child asked, his voice small.
The mother paused, her hands stilling. "I don’t know," she said quietly. "But we can hope."
Selene had finally returned, slipping in through the side door with her usual quietness.
She took one look at the group and let out a low whistle.
"Looks like I missed the fireworks," she said, her smirk faint but present.
"No thanks to you," Ferah muttered, her arms still crossed.
Selene ignored the jab, moving to crouch beside Vardy. Her sharp eyes took in his pale face and the bloodstained bandages on his side.
"You look like hell," she said bluntly.
"Feel worse," Vardy muttered.
"Good," Selene said, rising to her feet. "Maybe next time you’ll think twice before throwing yourself into the lion’s den."
"Selene, not now," Luthor said, his voice weary.
Selene raised an eyebrow but didn’t push further.
Luthor moved to the corner of the room, his hands clasped tightly in front of him.
"We can’t keep going like this," he said finally, his voice breaking the silence. "We’re barely holding together, and Dean hasn’t even made his next move yet."
Ferah sighed, rubbing her temples. "What are you suggesting, Luthor? That we just give up?"
"No," Luthor said quickly. "But we need to figure out how to work together. Because if we don’t..."
He trailed off, the unspoken words hanging heavy in the air.
"We’re not giving up," Vardy said, his voice stronger now. "But we need to trust each other. And that starts with me trusting you."
Tracy looked at him, her expression softening slightly. "Then stop shutting us out," she said quietly.
Vardy nodded, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Deal."
Meanwhile, in the heart of Haven, Marcus stood in Dean’s chambers.
"Simon’s death has thrown the city into chaos once again," Marcus said. "The people are whispering about the Dud, calling him a hero."
Dean’s face darkened, his hands clenching into fists. "Then we remind them who’s in charge."
"How?" Marcus asked.
"By crushing him," Dean replied coldly. "I want every soldier, every resource, focused on finding the Dud. And when we do..."
He didn’t finish the sentence, but his tone said enough.
As the night wore on, Vardy’s group began to settle.
Ferah and Tracy sat near the fire, their voices low as they discussed the next steps. Luthor kept watch near the cave mouth.
Selene sat alone in the corner, sharpening her daggers. She glanced at Vardy occasionally.
"Rest," she said finally, her voice breaking the silence. "You’re going to need it."
Vardy didn’t argue.
"You’ve been staring at that thing for hours," Ferah said from the corner.
She leaned against the wall, arms crossed, her sword resting within easy reach.
"I don’t have a choice," Vardy replied without looking up. "Dean’s power is growing, and we can’t afford to make a mistake."
Tracy, seated near the fire, shook her head. "We’re already stretched thin, Vardy. Whatever you’re planning, it better be good."
Luthor sat nearby, in his usually calm demeanor. "The streets are buzzing. People are scared. They’re saying Dean’s bringing in reinforcements, mercenaries, maybe even more Altanas."
"More Altanas," Vardy repeated, his voice heavy. "Of course, he is. He’s preparing for something bigger."
Ferah pushed off the wall. "We’ve been reacting to him this whole time. Maybe it’s time we made him react to us."
Vardy finally looked up, his eyes hard. "You think I don’t want that? You think I don’t want to hit him where it hurts? But we don’t have the numbers, and we don’t have the time to fight him head-on. Not yet."
"And when will we?" Ferah shot back. "When he’s already won?"
"Enough," Selene’s voice cut through the room like a blade. She stepped out of the shadows. "Fighting heads on won’t solve anything."
---
Outside, the streets of Haven were alive with whispers.
In a cramped workshop near the market, a group of blacksmiths sat together, their voices low as they shared rumors over everything that has been going on.
"They say Dean’s got his hands on something big," one of them said, his face smudged with soot.
"What kind of big?" another asked, his brows knitting together.
"An army," the first man replied. "Or maybe a weapon. No one knows for sure, but whatever it is, it’s bad news for the rest of us."
“Careful how you call the Dean..” one muttered.
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Chapter 50: A Deal with Shadows
Vardy leaned back in his chair, exhaustion creeping into his voice. "Every time we make progress, he finds a way to pull ahead.""That’s what men like him do," Selene said, her tone matter-of-fact. She moved closer, her dark cloak trailing behind her. "They keep you on the defensive until you’re too tired to fight back. And then they crush you.""Cheerful as always," Ferah muttered.Selene smirked faintly but didn’t respond.Tracy leaned forward, her hands resting on her knees. "If we can’t take him head-on, what’s the plan? Because we can’t just sit here waiting for him to make the next move."Vardy didn’t answer immediately. His eyes drifted back to the map.DEAN'S CHAMBER Dean stood in his lavish chamber as Marcus stood nearby, his expression grim as usual."They’re saying the Dud is still out there," Marcus said.Dean turned."Let them talk," he said dismissively. "It doesn’t matter. When the time comes, they’ll see what true power looks like."Marcus hesitated. "The artifact, ar
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Vardy and his group disappeared into the night.Simon Wells, Dean’s enforcer, was dead, and the balance of power in the city was beginning to shift.But Vardy’s injury was severe, and as they made their way back to the sanctuary, he stumbled, his strength fading.“You’re pushing yourself too hard,” Ferah said, her tone edged with frustration.“I don’t have a choice,” Vardy replied, his voice barely above a whisper.The spectral wolf let out a low whine, its glowing form pressing closer to him.“You can’t keep doing this,” Tracy said firmly. “We’ll lose you before we even have a chance to fight Dean.”“We’ll make it,” Vardy said, though his own words sounded hollow.He fell again, this time more terrifying."Luthor! Over here!" Ferah's voice came sharply.Luthor turned, his face pale with worry, and hurried toward her. Ferah knelt beside Vardy, who was slumped against the wall, his breathing uneven. His cloak was soaked with blood.The spectral wolf lay beside him, its glowing eyes fi
Chapter 48: A Dangerous Move
Kael stood in a dimly lit chamber beneath Haven, addressing a group of Altanas. Their weapons were pointed and sharp.“Dean wants the Dud dead,” Kael said, her voice cold and commanding. “We find him, corner him, and take him out. No mistakes.”The Altanas nodded silently, their loyalty unwavering.Kael smirked. “Let’s show him what happens when you cross Dean.”—As night fell over Haven, Vardy stood at the entrance of the cave, his gaze fixed on the distant city. The spectral wolf sat beside him.“Dean won’t stop until we’re all dead,” Ferah said, joining him.“Then we don’t give him the chance,” Vardy replied.In the shadows behind them, Tracy and Selene exchanged a glance.“This is only going to get worse,” Tracy said quietly.Selene nodded. “And if we’re not careful, we’ll lose him before the fight even begins.”“The Altanas are coming, we should get ready for them..” Vardy said and sprang to his feet, moving away.—-Marcus approached Dean, his expression grim.“The Altanas are
Chapter 47: The Hunt and the Army
“When do we attack?” Ferah asked.“Right now!” Vardy said.“But, we just left there, people would still be there…” Tracy said, staring straight at Vardy.“More reason we have to go back,” Vardy said.Tracy heaved, not knowing what to say again.“We go now!” Vardy said and motioned towards the mouth of the cave, as Selene followed.“No Selene, you have to stay back..” Vardy said, gesturing for her to stay.“Why?” Selene asked, a bit confused.“Dean mustn't see you, else it'll be brutal and Luther…” Vardy glanced at Luther who was resting on the wall.“What about him?” Selene asked.“You have to look after him..” Vardy muttered, his eyes convincing.Soon, Vardy and the rest stormed out with the rest, their faces hidden.The spectral wolf padded silently at Vardy’s side, its glowing eyes scanning the shadows.“Stick to the plan,” Vardy said, his voice low but commanding.Ferah nodded, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. Tracy tightened her grip on her spear, her expression grim.T
Chapter 46: The Perfect Opportunity
Zayn led Vardy through the winding alleys of Haven, the rain continuing to fall around them. The spectral wolf stayed close to Vardy’s side, its glowing eyes scanning the shadows.“Dean’s got a shipment coming through tomorrow night,” Zayn said, his voice low. “Weapons, supplies, the works. It’s all moving through the south docks.”“And you know this because?” Vardy asked.“Because I was supposed to oversee it,” Zayn replied.Ferah and Tracy caught up to them, their expressions wary as they flanked Vardy.“You trust him?” Ferah asked bluntly.“No,” Vardy said. “But I’m listening.”Zayn smirked faintly. “That’s a start.”---At the docks, a group of workers moved crates onto a waiting shipA man in a dark coat watched from the shadows, his sharp eyes taking in every detail.“Everything’s on schedule,” one of the workers said, glancing at the man.“Good,” the man replied. “Make sure it stays that way.”---As they reached a small hideout, Zayn stopped and turned to face Vardy.“This is
Chapter 45: An Unlikely Alliance
The system’s voice continued, unrelenting.“You’ve seen what you’re up against. Dean’s empire, the Altanas, the corruption eating Haven alive. You’ve only scratched the surface of your potential. Let me show you the rest.”“I don’t need you,” Vardy muttered under his breath.“Don’t you?” the voice countered. “Your power has already grown because of me. The spectral wolf, your magic, your resilience. Do you think that came from you alone?”Vardy’s jaw tightened. “I’ve fought for everything I have. Nothing was handed to me.”“And yet, you’re here because of me. Without the System, you’re just a man with a grudge. With me, you’re something more. You could be unstoppable.”The words were tempting, like a melody he couldn’t ignore.---In a distant part of Haven City, Marcus paced round a fire place.“You’re sure about this?” he asked, his tone edged with doubt.A woman seated near the fire nodded, her dark eyes glinting in the light. “Dean’s orders were clear. If Vardy is still in the cit
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Vardy stared back at Tracy, “I do..” he muttered before stroding off.“Damn it!” Tracy sighed. “I just can't believe all this.”“What is the problem?” Luthor asked weakly, his voice barely audible as Ferah helped him sit against a wall.“Just rest…” Tracy said and strode off.Selene gestured toward the city around them. “Corruption, power struggles, people too scared to fight back. Dean’s hold on this place is strong, but there are others waiting to take his place the moment he falls. If we’re not careful, we’ll end up replacing one tyrant with another.”“And you think you have the answers?” Vardy asked, his tone sharp.“I have a plan,” Selene said, her smirk returning. “But it’s going to require more than brute force and your fancy undead tricks. We need allies, influence, leverage.”“You’re talking about politics,” Ferah said, her voice filled with disdain.“Exactly,” Selene replied, unbothered by Ferah’s tone. “Haven’s chaos is its strength and its weakness. If we want to win, we
Chapter 43: I Can’t Let Him Die
“Just go on with it..” Vardy responded.“Vardy, don’t,” Ferah said, her voice pleading.“We don’t have a choice,” Vardy replied, his tone grim.Selene reached into her cloak and pulled out a small bottle of liquid. “This will keep him alive. But it’s not a cure. He’ll still need time to heal.”Vardy nodded. “Do it.”Selene uncorked the bottle as she poured it onto Luthor’s wound. The effect was immediate. The bleeding slowed.Luthor’s breathing steadied, his eyes fluttering open.“You’re going to be okay,” Ferah said, her voice trembling.“Thanks,” Luthor whispered weakly, his eyes closing again as exhaustion overtook him.Vardy stood, his gaze locking onto Selene. “You’ll get your favor,” he said, his voice cold.Selene smiled faintly. “I know.”Ferah knelt beside Luthor, her hands trembling as she adjusted his bandages. Tracy leaned against a crumbling wall, her spear still in her hand, though the battle had long since ended.Vardy stood rigid, his gaze fixed on Selene.The spectra
Chapter 42: The Baited Trap
In another part of the city, Marcus stood in a darkened room, his arms crossed as he listened to the report from one of Dean’s informants.“The Dud’s grown stronger,” the informant said, his voice shaking slightly. “He’s got some kind of... spectral beast with him now.”Marcus frowned. “A beast?”“A wolf,” the informant clarified. “It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen. Glowing, silent, dangerous.”Marcus turned toward the window, his gaze fixed on the city below. “And Dean knows about this?”The informant hesitated. “I... haven’t told him yet. Thought it best to bring it to you first.”Marcus nodded slowly. “Good. Keep quiet about this for now. Dean doesn’t need distractions.”“But what do we do?” the informant asked.Marcus’s lips curled into a faint smile. “We let the Dud think he’s winning. And when the time comes, we'll remind him who holds the real power.”---Back in the alley, the group rested briefly.“You think Dean’s already heard about this?” Luthor asked, glancing nervously at
