The room erupted into a violent dance, with Celina exhibiting a level of combat skill that belied her aristocratic demeanor. Her movements were agile and precise, her attacks coming in quick, relentless succession. Xander, equally adept, met her strikes with deft blocks and counterattacks, his own combat experience evident in every move.King Richard, witnessing the ferocious battle, exclaimed, "Stop this madness, both of you!"Xander, while parrying a particularly vicious strike from Celina, called out to the King without taking his eyes off her. "Your Majesty, do not call the guards. This is about your kingdom's future."Celina, her eyes blazing with fury, saw an opportunity in the King's presence. She wanted to kill him, and with her initial plan of poisoning thwarted, she decided to seize the moment. "If I can't poison you, I'll do it by my own hands!" she declared, lunging towards the King with daggers raised.Xander, anticipating her move, swiftly stepped in between Celina and t
As Celina lunged at Xander with a swift, overhead strike, he anticipated her move. With precise timing, Xander ducked to the side and delivered a powerful punch to her midsection. Celina's movement, a calculated blend of aggression and grace, was interrupted by the unexpected blow, forcing her to stagger back.She spat out a mouthful of blood, then smirked defiantly, wiping her lip with the back of her hand. "Is that all you've got?" she taunted, regaining her stance.The battle escalated into a high-octane clash, both fighters exchanging violent and bloody blows. Xander's attacks became more aggressive, matching Celina's ferocity with his own ruthless efficiency. Each strike from Celina was met with a counter from Xander, the two locked in a deadly dance.In the midst of their fight, a knock sounded at the door. Riyon's voice came through, laced with concern, "Is everything alright in there, Your Majesty?"King Richard, watching the fierce battle unfold, hesitated. He knew that calli
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
Celina, pinned against the wall by Xander, had a defiant gleam in her eye. "Did you really think I wouldn't have backup plans?" she questioned, her tone laced with both menace and confidence.Lyra's frown deepened, her instincts alerting her to the gravity of Celina's words. "What are you saying?" she demanded, her voice tinged with both curiosity and apprehension.With a deliberate, slow movement, Celina cracked her neck menacingly. "I have someone you care about," she revealed, her words deliberate and calculated. "It would be such a pity if you lost that person, wouldn't it?"Xander's reaction was immediate and visceral. He snarled, his voice barely controlled, "Who?"His mind raced, thoughts involuntarily drifting to Atheria, the woman he had seen killed and tossed overboard by Duke Marvin, Celina's real father. The memory was a painful reminder of a loss that had left a deep, unhealed wound in his heart.Celina, observing Xander's reaction, smirked knowingly. "You're right," she
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
Xander's eyes flicked between King Richard and Celina, weighing his options in a situation that seemed to have no right answer. Celina, sensing his hesitation, taunted him with a mocking tone. "Time is running out, Xander. Make your choice."King Richard, maintaining his composure despite the threat to his life, spoke sternly. "Killing me will make you the most wanted man in the kingdoms. Everyone you care about will be hunted down."Lyra, her fists clenched in frustration, interjected, "There has to be another way. We can't let her dictate our actions."Celina reveled in the control she wielded over the scene, her laughter echoing in the chamber, a sound filled with malice and triumph.However, the dynamic shifted abruptly when Xander revealed a smirk, catching Celina off guard. Her laughter died in her throat, replaced by a sudden apprehension. "Why are you smiling?" she asked, a hint of worry creeping into her voice.Xander's smile was cold and calculating. "You won't harm Atheria,
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
Lyra's patience was wearing thin as they stood in the serene valley. "Where is Atheria?" she demanded, her voice echoing slightly in the open space.Celina, with a sarcastic smirk, replied, "Oh, she's right here in my pocket." Her tone was flippant, but her eyes darted around, clearly assessing the situation.Xander's frustration was palpable. "This isn't the time to be a bitch, Duchess," he growled under his breath, careful to keep his voice low enough so her guards couldn't hear.Unfazed by his comment, Celina reached for the necklace around her neck, pulling out a glowing crystal. She spoke into the crystal with a commanding tone, "Bring her out to the valley."As they waited, Xander's impatience grew. His foot tapped the ground rhythmically, a physical manifestation of his anxiety. Lyra, noticing his agitation, cautioned Celina with a stern look, "If this is a trick..."Before she could finish her sentence, a hidden door in the valley, cleverly disguised as part of the stone lands