Xander closed his eyes, replaying the memories of Atheria's tragic death in his mind. The images of the wine cup slipping from his trembling hands, Atheria's lifeless form falling to the ground, and Marvin callously tossing her body into the unforgiving ocean all flashed before Xander's eyes. The final, painful memory was that of Marvin firing an arrow directly into Xander's heart."Atheria..." Xander mumbled, unable to fully grasp the fact that she had died because of his reckless pursuit of a cure. He realized that Bloodhound, the volatile personality within him, had been right all along. Each time he sought a cure, he only sank deeper into trouble.As anger surged within Xander, he felt his bloodlust intensify. For the first time, he didn't resist the dark urges that had haunted him. Instead, he began to come to terms with his grim reality."Yes... That's it... You and I are the same... Feel the power... Remember what the Duke did to us," Bloodhound's sinister voice echoed within X
The soldiers and villagers alike were left in stunned silence as they beheld the gruesome scene. The armless soldier lay motionless on the ground, blood pooling around him, while the villagers, terrified by the unexpected violence, quickly covered their children's eyes to shield them from the horrific sight."Three of you, get inside and drag him out, now!" The general, his resolve unshaken, barked orders to his men,The designated soldiers cautiously approached the shattered door, their hearts pounding with fear and anticipation. With weapons drawn, they stepped inside the house, uncertain of what they might encounter.The general's cold voice rang out again, carrying a sinister threat, "Cut his head off if he doesn't surrender willingly." As the three soldiers entered the house, a chorus of screams and shouts erupted from within."Help us! Please! Save us!" one of the soldiers cried out in desperation.The villagers, already trembling with fear, were further terrified by the harrow
Xander advanced toward the General with deliberate, measured steps. Each stride he took sent shivers of fear coursing through the General's spine. The horrific way in which Xander had slaughtered his men left the General with no doubt that he was facing an enemy far beyond mortal comprehension."Now, what should I do with you?" Xander mused, closing the distance between them."You are an abomination," the General spat out, finding the courage to stand and reach for a sword that had been dropped by one of his fallen soldiers."I was, but not anymore," Xander chuckled, his voice tinged with a chilling certainty that sent a shiver down the General's spine."You will pay for slaughtering my men, you monster!"The General's fury erupted like a tempest as he roared at Xander, his voice filled with rage and vengeance. With a wild battle cry, he lunged at Xander, the sword gripped tightly in his trembling hand.His attacks were swift and fierce, but Xander's inhuman speed allowed him to effor
As Xander left the village behind, he arrived at the shore where a rowboat awaited him. With a determined look in his eyes, he climbed into the boat and began rowing towards the distant city on the horizon. The rhythmic sound of oars slicing through the water marked his solitary journey.After a considerable time, Xander finally reached the bustling city. As he approached the port, he couldn't help but overhear conversations among the workers."Did you hear about King Robert's death?" one of the workers asked."Yeah, they say he was assassinated," another replied, shaking his head."Assassin's still on the loose, they say," a third worker chimed in.Xander clenched his fist at the mention of King Robert's death. He remembered how he had been manipulated by Duke Marvin into assassinating the king, only to be betrayed and left for dead to tie up loose ends.As Xander stepped onto the bustling streets of the city, his thoughts consumed by a burning desire for vengeance.The city streets
The commotion grew louder as the crowd shouted and called out for more guards. Soon, a group of heavily armored soldiers surrounded Xander, their weapons drawn and faces stern."Stand down, you there!" one of the guards barked, pointing a sword at Xander. "Drop to your knees and surrender."Another guard chimed in, "Attacking a guard is a crime punishable by death. You've sealed your fate."The atmosphere grew tense as the guards closed in, forming a tight circle around Xander. The onlookers watched with a mixture of fear and anticipation, uncertain of how this confrontation would unfold.Amidst the gasps and shouts of the onlookers, the clash between Xander and the guards erupted into a violent storm. The guards lunged at him, their swords slashing through the air with deadly intent. Xander moved with inhuman speed, dodging their strikes as if he could predict their every move."Did you see that? He's too fast!"The crowd was a cacophony of panicked voices as they watched the surreal
Molatan, the spy, moved stealthily through the crowded streets of the city. He was a man driven by ambition and loyalty to Duke Marvin, but his heart was as cold and unforgiving as the stone walls surrounding him. He muttered curses under his breath, resenting the very people he had sworn to protect. "Soon, they will suffer, and they will know the price of defying the Duke," he hissed to himself.As he moved closer to the food warehouse, the atmosphere in the city grew tense. Whispers and panicked conversations filled the air, carrying the weight of uncertainty. Molatan's sharp ears caught fragments of these discussions."The Duke's army is outside the walls!""We should open the gates! Surrender may be our only option!""No, we should fight for our city, for King Roberts!""I've heard rumors that Duke Marvin had a hand in the King's assassination."Molatan quickened his pace, recognizing the gravity of the situation. The people were divided, torn between surrendering to the Duke's fo
The forest stood silent and imposing, with towering ancient oaks casting dappled shadows upon the mossy ground below. Shafts of golden sunlight pierced through the dense canopy, painting patches of the forest floor in a soft, ethereal glow. The air was thick with the earthy scent of damp leaves and the distant murmur of a hidden stream.Amidst this tranquil wilderness, three carriages trundled along the winding forest path. Each carriage was elegantly crafted, adorned with banners bearing the royal crest of the fallen king. Four knights, their armor gleaming in the filtered sunlight, rode alongside the carriages. Their plate armor was polished to a brilliant sheen, reflecting the verdant surroundings with a resplendent shimmer.Sir William, a grizzled knight with a salt-and-pepper beard, leaned in closer to Sir Robert, the youngest among them, and said, "We must reach the capital before Duke Marvin's army lays siege to its gates. Our late king's body deserves a proper burial, and the
Velrian stood in a dimly lit room, the feeble light of a few candles casting eerie shadows on the walls. His attire was as dark as the room itself, black robes that seemed to absorb what little light there was. On the table before him lay a mask, carved in the likeness of a wolf, its eyes glinting with an unsettling, silver sheen."It is time," Velrian murmured to himself, his voice a whisper in the stillness. With deliberate care, he picked up the wolf mask, its cold surface sending a shiver down his spine. He lowered the mask over his face, concealing his identity with the visage of the cunning predator.Exiting his room, Velrian entered a vast, echoing hall. The only illumination came from more candles, their flickering flames casting wavering shadows across the room. The distant sound of flowing water added to the haunting atmosphere.In the hall, several other figures loomed, each cloaked in black robes and bearing masks of their own. The masks were as diverse as the animals of t