The days passed, with the trio recuperating and preparing for the impending trials that lay ahead. On one such day, Aiden found himself on the rooftop of the dilapidated building, his gaze fixated on the dark city below. The city was in a state of utter chaos as if reflecting their inner turmoil. Aiden's gaze was directed towards a specific direction, where he knew Draed was. "Show me what you've seen, Draed," Aiden telepathically communicated with his dragon companion. Images and memories from Draed's mind flooded into Aiden's, creating a mental map of the city. His gaze grew focused as he absorbed the information. Draed had witnessed monsters rampaging through the city streets, the citizens paralyzed with fear. He had also seen the Shadow King's forces, their ominous presence further deepening the city's despair. The Lyridian Resistance Force, where Aiden and Gregg had once worked, was in tatters. The brave soldiers who stood against the onslaught were overwhelmed, their defenses
A thunderous roar shook the air as the swarm of monsters attacked, their grotesque faces twisted in a mix of rage and hunger. Aiden held his ground, electricity sparking around him as his powers surged to life. His eyes gleamed with fierce determination, and with a swift movement, he summoned two double blades, their edges glistening in the chaos. The first monster lunged at him, but Aiden sidestepped it with ease. With a swift slice of his blade, he cut a deep gash across the monster's body, letting the blood spill onto the rubble-littered street. He dipped his finger in the monster's blood, and then reached into his pocket, pulling out a vial. It was a potion from his system, designed to return these monstrous creatures to their human forms. But it came with a hefty price for its little blue elixir—$15,000 per bottle. Yet, to Aiden, it was worth every penny if it meant saving these innocents from their monstrous fate. He uncapped the vial and carefully mixed the potion with the m
Gregg and Risa shared a glance, before complying with Aiden’s command, retreating to the sidelines. Their eyes remained fixated on the spectacle about to unfold. Aiden squared his shoulders, turned back to Davis, and smirked at the enraged expression on his face. The smirk was one of defiance, one that screamed that Aiden was not afraid of the man standing before him."You're really itching for a fight, aren't you, Davis?" Aiden said, his gaze locked onto Davis. "But let me make something clear to you. If you want to sever the bond I have with Draed, you'll have to kill me. And trust me, that is not happening."Davis' eyes narrowed, and his hand moved to his side, drawing forth a massive sword, glistening ominously in the dim light. It was unlike any sword they had seen before, its entire construction reminiscent of icy shards, a clear sign of Davis' freezing abilities. "What if I am willing to do more than just kill you? What if I'm also willing to take your precious lover from you?
Mr. Smith's eyelids fluttered open, the harsh bite of cold against his flesh breaking his mind free from the numbing abyss of unconsciousness. His body protested as he attempted to move, his muscles felt weak and drained, the skin marred with cuts and bruises from the unforgiving stone floor beneath him. A strange cold weight on his ankle momentarily distracted him from the throbbing ache that was beginning to build in his skull. He tried to sit up, fighting through the waves of dizziness, his vision blurry, his surroundings eerily dim. Panic gripped his heart as he felt the coarse cold iron chain attached to his ankle. There was a faint glow around the chain, the mark of a magic-dampening spell. Each attempt to access his mana was met with an intense pain coursing through him, the spell was draining his mana. It was a chilling realization - he was not only captured but weakened significantly.In frustration and rage, he pulled at the chain, and a defiant roar ripped from his throa
"Do you think he's going to wake up?"Aiden's attention was drawn to the whisper of Gregg, a few feet away from where he sat cross-legged on the floor meditating while Risa watched him worriedly. "The only thing this shithead has done is to eat our food," Gregg said softly before turning his gaze back at Aiden who still has his eyes tightly closed in meditation pose. "I can hear you two, you know." He opened one eye slowly while keeping the other shut tight until both of them turned their heads toward him. "Closing my eyes doesn't mean I'm deaf or blind...or stupid for that matter!" His voice rose slightly on the last part but not enough to make anyone flinch away from him like he expected it would have been if someone else had spoken those words in an intimidating tone instead.Aiden's lips twitched into a smile as Risa let go of the breath she was holding in and Gregg looked at Aiden with an expression somewhere between shock, disbelief, and amusement all rolled up together. "Aid
The stone faces contorted in grotesque expressions of torment, seemingly a warning to all who dared to trespass. The fortress' main gates were vast and foreboding, a dark void in the wall of black stone. Despite its massive scale, there were no sentries or guards. No sound or movement within its depths.Sinister grins seemingly mocking the trio as they approached the fortress. Their eyes were made of luminous crystals that glowed an eerie orange, just like the eyes of the Shadow King, creating an uncanny, surreal spectacle in the darkness."Seems a bit... over the top, doesn't it?" Gregg murmured, an undercurrent of nervousness lacing his voice. He was unable to take his eyes off the fortress, the intimidating structure making him feel inexplicably small.Aiden and Risa shared a quick glance before returning their gaze to the fortress, their minds teeming with caution and curiosity. They had made it this far, they couldn't back out now.'We'll rescue you, sir! Please be alive.' Aiden
"Wait!" She hissed, her eyes wide. "I just remembered something. Back when I was working for the Shadow King... I learned of his powers. His strength lies in the shadows.""What are you saying?" Aiden asked warily. He knew she wasn't one to make up stories but this seemed too real; there had been enough strange things happening lately without adding more into the mix. The only thing he could think about now was how much trouble they would be in if it turned out that what she said was true."Shadows are not just physical darkness. They are a parallel plane, a dimension of sorts. The Shadow King can manipulate, move within, and even control anything within this shadow plane. He is not just stronger in the shadows, he is practically invincible." Risa explained, her voice dropping to a whisper as her gaze fixated on the ominously looming door.Aiden and Gregg exchanged a worried look. If Risa's theory was correct, opening the door could lead them into a realm of darkness, putting them at
The Shadow King lifted his hand, shadows seeping from his fingertips and spreading across the room, swirling and pulsating like living entities. A shadowy figure rose in front of him, taking on a humanoid form, its glowing eyes locked onto his."Messenger," he commanded, his voice resounding through the darkness. "Find the young ones. Tell them Mr. Smith awaits them."Without a word, the figure nodded, then melted back into the shadows, disappearing without a trace. The Shadow King's gaze returned to the map, his eyes focusing on the trio's location. A twisted smile graced his face as he folded his hands behind his back, sinking further into the darkness."This will be a game to remember," he murmured, his eyes glinting ominously.–––––––––––Meanwhile, the trio had reached an impasse. They stood silently, each lost in their thoughts, their eyes trained on the imposing door. Gregg broke the silence, his voice barely above a whisper."We can't stay here. We need a plan.""I agree," Aid