Four days later, Celina found herself standing in a dark room, her appearance concealed by her fox mask, part of her cult uniform. She was facing Velrian, who wore his intimidating wolf mask, his presence exuding authority and mystery.Celina recounted the recent events to Velrian, her voice tinged with both fear and frustration. "He turned me into a blood mage apprentice, Velrian. I need a cure, I can't become like him," she implored, the desperation in her voice unmistakable.Velrian listened intently, his wolf mask making it impossible to read his expression. "Being a Blood Mage apprentice does afford you the ability to heal quickly," he began, his voice calm and measured. "But as Xander mentioned, your transformation into a fully-fledged Blood Mage is tied to his life. If he dies, you will succumb to the bloodlust that comes with the full powers of a Blood Mage."Celina's body tensed at his words, the implications clear and terrifying. "But those powers... they're more of a curse
As they watched Xander train with a relentless ferocity, Atheria mused aloud, "I want to see just how much he's changed, both mentally and in his fighting prowess."Lyra, caution evident in her tone, replied, "Atheria, challenging him to a fight might not be the best idea. I've seen what he's capable of, how he took down werewolves and even a giant from within."Atheria chuckled lightly, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "How could he hurt the one he loves?" she teased, only half-serious.Lyra rolled her eyes in response. "You did reject him, remember? He might just take this opportunity to let off some steam."Undeterred, Atheria's giggle rang through the air as she approached Xander. "Hey, Xander, how about a friendly duel? Just to see how much you've improved."Xander paused in his training, looking at her with a mix of surprise and reluctance. After a moment, he shrugged and replied with a playful smirk, "Sure, why not? Gives me a chance to beat the hell out of you for rejecting me
As Xander and Atheria set out towards the secret tunnel leading to the Duchy of Krovian, the forest around them was bathed in the warm, golden light of the morning sun. Their footsteps were muffled by the thick layer of leaves and earth as they traversed the dense woodland, each step taking them closer to their daunting task.During their walk, the conversation naturally steered towards Duke Marvin and the looming threat of his army's invasion of Emberlyn. "When Marvin mounts his army, it's not going to be a straightforward fight," Xander mused, his tone laced with a mix of anticipation and resolve. "Our focus should be on taking him down, not playing heroes on a battlefield."Atheria glanced at Xander, her expression thoughtful. "Do you still hesitate to be a hero?" she asked, curious about his mindset.Xander chuckled at the question, a hint of reminiscence in his laughter. "I remember how I used to be terrified and hesitant before I merged with Bloodhound," he confessed. "But now,
The tension in the tunnel was palpable as Xander and Atheria braced for action. Atheria's hand glowed faintly as she prepared to teleport, and Xander gripped his hidden weapon, ready to strike.Suddenly, the door above creaked open, flooding the tunnel with light. A gruff voice echoed down, "Clear this area, now!"In a flash, Atheria vanished and reappeared behind the soldiers. "Over here, idiots!" she yelled, throwing a rock against the metal walls of the storehouse, creating a loud clanging sound.The soldiers, startled, turned towards the noise. "What in the—" one began, but he was cut off as Xander leaped from the tunnel, moving with inhuman speed and precision.He struck the first soldier with a swift, silent blow, knocking him unconscious. "I've got this one," he whispered, moving to the next.Atheria, meanwhile, dodged a soldier's grasp. "You're slower than a dead snail," she taunted, using her agility to keep them disoriented.One of the soldiers managed to regain his composur
As dawn broke, the sun cast a warm, golden hue over the landscape, heralding the start of a new day. The driver, a man seasoned by the road, approached Xander and Atheria with a look of concern etched on his face. "We'll be passing through the golden maple forest today," he began cautiously. "It's a beautiful place, but it's also a haven for bandits. They've been a scourge around these parts for years."Atheria, ever curious, inquired, "Why hasn't the king dealt with these bandits yet?"The driver sighed, his face a mix of resignation and frustration. "These bandits are like ghosts," he explained. "They know the forest like the back of their hands, and they've dug a network of tunnels and hideouts that are nearly impossible to find. The king's men have tried, but to no avail."Atheria's brows knitted together in determination. "Well, we won't let them trouble us," she assured him confidently. "We'll handle any bandit we come across."Xander, sitting beside her, let out a dark chuckle,
The bandit leader, a hulking figure with a disfigured face marked by a jagged scar running down his left cheek, stepped forward. His eyes, one clouded and the other a piercing blue, fixed on Atheria and Xander with a menacing glint. Clad in mismatched armor, he carried an air of authority that even his motley crew respected. "Boss, that's them," a gruff voice from behind him confirmed. The subordinate, a lanky man with a nervous twitch, pointed towards Atheria. "She's the one we heard about, boss. A real beauty, that elf." The leader, known amongst his band as Gristle, sneered, revealing a set of crooked, yellow teeth. "Alright, you two," he growled, addressing Xander and Atheria. "Hand over everything in your carriage, and the elf comes with us. Or you'll leave this forest in pieces." Atheria's eyes narrowed. She knew the type well - ruthless, merciless, and driven by greed. Yet, she attempted to defuse the situation. "You don't want to do this," she warned, her voice steady despit
Gristle's defiant grin faltered under the unyielding gaze of Xander, his fear palpable. "You think you can intimidate me?" he spat, trying to maintain his bravado.Atheria, stepping forward, pierced Gristle's chest with an arrow, her movements swift and precise. Gristle's face contorted in pain as the sharp tip dug into his flesh. "Talk, or the next one goes through your eye," she threatened, her voice cold as ice.Twisting the arrow cruelly, she watched as Gristle winced. Pain etched on his face, he gritted his teeth, trying to withhold the information.Xander watched with a chuckle, a smirk playing on his lips. "I must say, Atheria, your methods are quite... persuasive."Struggling against the agony, Gristle cursed through clenched teeth. "You'll regret this, you bitch!"Undeterred, Atheria twisted the arrow further, eliciting a guttural growl of pain from Gristle. "Start talking," she demanded, her tone laced with menace.Grimacing in pain, Gristle finally yielded. "The Assassin's
By the time the sunlight had faded and given way to the evening's embrace, the capital of Emberlyn shimmered under the night sky like a jewel. The streets were alive with activity, the pavements aglow with the light of torches dipped in alchemical substances that cast a bright, almost magical luminescence. The city, with its bustling energy and vibrant lights, stood in stark contrast to the quiet darkness of the forest they had traversed.Xander, peering out from the carriage, commented on the line of carriages arrayed along the pavement, all heading towards the city gates. "Looks like the capital never sleeps," he mused, his eyes scanning the lively scene.Atheria, sitting beside him, nodded in agreement. "The capital is as bustling as the last time I was here," she observed, a hint of nostalgia in her voice as she recalled her previous visits.As their carriage joined the slow-moving procession toward the city gates, Xander leaned forward, his metal helmet concealing his features. I