Facing a vampire was hard enough for even the most skilled Gunners, but doing it without any magic was a nearly impossible task. Ezra wanted to believe the old vampire sealed inside the catacombs had passed away peacefully after all these years, but he knew it was only wishful thinking.“Why can’t we ask Glenn about this curse? I’m sure he can do something about it,” Ezra whispered in Tanya’s ear.But she shook her head. “Blood Mages cannot lift curses. If anything, his interference will only make it worse. Besides, if we bring him here, it would expose his identity and quite possibly get him executed.”Hearing Tanya’s explanation, Ezra backed away and turned to Aleena. “Are you sure there aren’t any other entrances to this catacomb?”“All other entrances were sealed decades ago, and I don’t even know where they were. I only know the blackwater lake has a secret entrance through it,” she replied.Ezra nodded. “Alright, I will need some time to prepare. But I promise we will get your mo

The news of the wyvern sighting alerted Servius, and panic quickly spread throughout the room. Duke Carrington, however, looked more annoyed than scared.“Those wretched fools have grown bolder than I had expected. I think we must send them a fitting reply!” he grumbled.Servius knitted his eyebrows and uttered a fortifying incantation to strengthen the holy magic dome protecting the city. He then turned to Duke Carrington and his companions. “The city is shielded by holy magic. The wyverns are no threat to us.”“But those poor villagers outside require our assistance,” Duke Carrington replied. “The wyverns need to be dealt with before they can bury the surrounding villages under snow.”Esmeralda bowed at once. “Your Grace, I admire your courage and selflessness, but you must value your life as well. We need to get you to safety.”“I am not going to hide in my mansion while those monsters ravage the villages!” Duke Carrington protested. “I think now is the perfect time to show the necr

Confronted with his past, Ezra found himself conflicted. He had always wanted to hide his true identity and continue living like a Romanov. But Zala’s keen instincts had discerned Ezra’s dormant powers and seen right through his soul.“I have no idea what you are talking about,” Ezra sneered, turning away to avoid the conversation.But Zala wasn’t ready to let go. “I see the darkness clouding your mind. I can see it follow you like a living shadow,” he whispered ominously. “I know you can feel it too. Such a gift cannot be tossed away so easily. It connects you to the Lord of Decay.”Tanya’s expression gradually changed, her brow creased, and her eyes glimmered anxiously. “What is he talking about?”“I think my brother is unwell. As Zepheroth’s influence grows, so does Zala’s madness,” Glenn replied, trying to cover for his brother.But Zala chuckled in their faces. “I may be mad, but I am no liar. Lord Ezra was born of the same darkness that forged my chains. He is tied to the Lord of

Most new practitioners of dark magic needed to spend months worshipping Zepheroth and sacrifice several innocent lives to appease their lord. But since Ezra’s real father was a dark sorcerer, his blood already contained traces of dark magic. And all he needed was an initiation to awaken his dark talents.Now that Ezra had awakened his dormant talent, he could wield the power of darkness just like any other dark sorcerer or mage. However, having no knowledge of the forbidden arts, he still had plenty to learn about spell-casting and replenishing his dark energy.Zala, being the more experienced dark mage, readily offered his helping hand.Holding Ezra’s trembling right arm in his, Zala whispered in a husky voice, “Your blood has allowed you to learn the dark arts without rigorous training or worship. But you have managed to awaken the weakest form of dark magic by sacrificing your own blood.”“So I guess it won’t be enough to defeat the vampire. Is that what you’re trying to say?” Ezra

Opposed by the immovable stone, Ezra tried everything from full-fisted punches to heavy kicks. But the door neither creaked nor groaned, and only the sweat dripping from his forehead bore testament to his futile struggles.Things would have been a lot easier if Ezra had access to his Shadow Cannon or even his Power Fist. However, the situation was such that he could neither use his skills nor access his inventory to retrieve the weapons in his arsenal.When might failed, Ezra resorted to the power of the mind. Instead of trying to break the door, he tried to figure out a way to open it.“Someone must have sealed this door all those years ago, which means it's held together by magic,” he concluded, running his fingers across the inscriptions carved on its stony surface. Most of the archaic letters felt crooked and misshapen, their jagged curves and winding loops eroded by the sands of time.Ezra wondered if there was an ancient spell or incantation that could help him lift the magic spe