NYCTOPHILE

ONE

Her last job has been done. And that night, she would leave this town for good.

As the moon cast an ethereal glow over the ancient castle, Adura completed her final task. She cradled Xu Rea in her palms and made her way out of the open window of from the highest tower. The chilling wind whipped through her hair and clothes as she flew, leaving an exhilarating sensation coursing through her body. With precision, she embedded a hook into the crack beneath the mossy wall, a silent but crucial maneuver.

She held the stone with caution, aware of its cursed reputation. She would sooner face death than willingly touch this object, known to be the most cursed in the entire dimension. However, she must complete the task she chose herself, defying the fear that threatened to consume her.

Her heart almost jumped out of her chest as two Vaers from the top of the tower jumped, falling fast. She grunted. How could she be so reckless as to carry out such an extreme act without realizing the presence of the guards from the northern post?

Yanking the knife out, her body immediately fell and crashed to the ground. Her entire body twitched as she struggled to get on her two feet as her black boots made the deep cracked sound on the muddy soil.

Everyone knew not to be messing around with Vaer. Humans were nothing compared to the most vicious creatures in the whole Nu Rae. The devoted followers of the Guardian of the Light was known by its displayed of an unearthly level of strength and speed. She remembered how hard to taking even one of them down with them when she tried to steal the archaic last blood's remnant. Human face and body were just a facade making them the best infiltrator, specifically, one almost succeed assassinate her during queen's altercation with the prime minister, and she was assigned to patrol that lousy, big headed man. Yet Hamurean gifts in speed and heightened senses were something not even the guardian could deny, a blessing that she was more than proud to have. It saved her from another blasphemy, at the very least.

She leaped off the towering wall of the castle and dashed down the steep hill, passing by the homes of the residents and the bustling markets. With every step, she could sense the monsters hot on her trail, their presence lingering as she raced past the silent, empty buildings in the darkness of the night. Finally, she made it to the edge of the forest, her heart pounding in her chest as she sought refuge within its dense, shadowy depths.

In the midst of the enveloping darkness of the night, she caught sight of a faint, flickering light at the far end of the densely wooded path. Her heart racing, she continued to press on, her nimble movements allowing her to evade the myrid arrows released from the creatures that sought to impede her fasten paces. Each step brought her closer to the elusive source of the light, heightening her senses.

There was still time before the clock struck midnight. The rider must be summoned when the full moon arrives. It was her only one way ticket out of this hellish existence, a chance to escape the torment that had consumed her for far too long.

The brilliant light enveloped her, causing her to abruptly halt and nearly lose her balance. With her feet mere inches from the precipice, any misstep would send her plummeting into the churning ocean far below. Taking a deep breath, she slowly turned around from the edge of the hill. The Vaers were stopped several metres before her. Their soulless face remained devoid of any flicker of emotion, their cold, empty gaze revealed no hint of emotion, like a lifeless mask staring back at her, yet the way their hands brought the bow forward, ready to strike showed that they already knew what she would do next.

She tightly clenched her fist. The radiant gem emitted a gentle, ethereal blue light, casting a mesmerizing glow reminiscent of the luminous beams of the full moon. Letting out a soft sigh, she tucked it into her pocket, ensuring it was secure and raised her chin.