A shiver coursed down the duke's spine as he saw Xander disappearing from his view, swallowed by the chaos and destruction that surrounded him. Fear took hold of the duke, and he swiftly turned to face his loyal royal guards."Let’s leave," the duke's voice trembled, his fear palpable even in his words."We should have done this sooner, your grace," one of the royal guards couldn't help but express his frustration at the duke's previous decision to remain in the forest, despite the escalating danger.The duke's strong aversion to the mages was the driving force behind his determination to witness their downfall, even if it meant putting himself and his guards in harm's way."Are you questioning my decision, soldier?" The duke's tone turned icy, his authority cutting through the tense air.Before the soldier could respond, another voice cut through the atmosphere, sending a renewed wave of unease through the group. It was a voice that didn't belong to any human, a guttural and otherwor
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
Despite the dagger lodged in her back, the elf's movements remained remarkably graceful as she danced and weaved through her assailants. Her agility and elegance were undeniable, even in the face of such dire circumstances. Yet, the assailants seemed to have tapped into an uncanny speed, moving with an almost supernatural quickness that made it increasingly difficult for her to evade their attacks.As Xander's mind grappled with Bloodhound's peculiar concern for the elf, their internal dialogue carried a sense of urgency and tension."Do something before they skewer her," Bloodhound's voice urged, an unusual note of urgency threading through the usually bloodthirsty tone."Why do you care about her, you bloodthirsty fiend?" Xander questioned, skepticism lacing his words."You said I'm a fractured part of you. So the bloodthirsty fiend is you," Bloodhound's response was laced with an unexpected nuance.Pushing aside the baffling exchange, Xander's attention remained focused on the unfo
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
Eight months ago, rain poured relentlessly from the darkened sky, creating a curtain of water that shrouded the forest. In the midst of the tempest, Xander sprinted through the mud-soaked ground, his breath ragged, trying to keep up with the old man who led the way. The old man's gray hair and beard were matted against his face, and his black robes clung to his form as he pushed forward, his eyes filled with urgency."Keep up, Xander!" the old man shouted over the thunderous rain, his voice strained with desperation. "The mage hunters are closing in on us!"Xander's voice lashed out, frustration and anger echoing through the rain-soaked air. "Lucious, wait! Why didn't you tell me you were being hunted by the damn mage hunters?"Lucious's gaze flickered toward Xander, his expression a mix of regret and resolve. "If I had told you, you wouldn't have agreed to help me reach Kingdom Alvenor."Xander's jaw clenched, his eyes flashing with a mixture of betrayal and exasperation. "You dragg
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
As night descended on the outskirts of Kingdom Mooncrest, Atheria stood amidst the sprawling golden wheat fields that lined the dirt path leading to the city. The moonlight cast a silvery glow over the landscape, adding an air of mystery to the rendezvous."Sorry for keeping you waiting," Atheria turned at the sound of Lord Fregan's voice. Both he and Carl, their faces concealed beneath their customary black robes, approached her with a sense of urgency."Why summon us here? You know this is risky," Carl's tone was tinged with caution.Atheria's clenched fist and reddened eyes were immediately noticeable, and Carl could sense that something was terribly amiss."Something's wrong," Carl observed, his concern deepening as he saw the turmoil within Atheria's expression."He turned me into a blood mage," Atheria's voice was heavy with a mixture of desperation and anger."What?!" Carl's exclamation shattered the tranquility, startling the birds sleeping in the nearby forest."Yesterday, as
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