Artemis Unveiled:The Descent

Untitled Part 19: The Moon Tower

In this endless darkness, time seems to stretch, every second draining Neven's strength rapidly, eventually leaving them torn apart like that horse, by the swarming Night Ghouls.

"What should we do?" Aria shouted, trembling.

"We... wait..." Neven swung his sword weakly. "Be cautious..."

Suddenly, a dark figure leaped from the shadows, pouncing towards Neven, knocking him to the ground. Neven felt the weight of the Night Ghoul pressing down on him like a mountain. The creature's slimy saliva dripped onto his forehead, chilling and repulsive.

Ignoring everything, Aria rushed forward, pulling out her dragonbone dagger, channeling all her strength into a fierce strike. A deafening howl echoed through the night as the Night Ghoul finally collapsed. With the pressure lifted, Neven struggled to push the heavy corpse away and stood up again. Under his cloak, torn clothes revealed bloody wounds on his shoulder, but his gaze remained firm, seemingly undaunted by the darkness.

Time seemed to freeze, the pitch-black night stretching endlessly. As they were engulfed in this seemingly hopeless battle, the distant thunder of iron hooves suddenly rang out, like the roar of charging warhorses.

"Listen, the cavalry's iron hooves! We're saved," Neven's voice was filled with hope as he waved his sword and turned to Aria.

"Are... are there cavalry... here?" Aria's words trailed off as a torrent of silver-clad riders surged in, their horses' hooves pounding the ground with a tempestuous force, charging into the Night Ghoul horde. Their armor gleamed with dazzling silver light, each shield adorned with sparkling gems emitting mysterious glows.

"The insignias on their armor... belong to the Red Scorpion Legion!" Aria exclaimed in surprise, pointing at the silver-clad riders, each sporting a Red Scorpion emblem on their chests.

The cavalry swiftly seized control of the situation, driving the Night Ghouls into a corner. Their swords danced with dazzling flashes of light, each strike carrying destructive force.

Exhausted, Neven lifted his sword, blood dripping from his wounds onto the snow, painting a crimson picture. He couldn't help but curse, prompting Aria to remind him to keep his manners.

As the cavalry surrounded them, a rider dismounted and approached from the crowd. He removed his helmet, revealing curly black hair and a face that exuded arrogance and immaturity.

"I am Damian Blackwood, the executive commander of the Moon Tower Legion," he raised his head, his tone tinged with disdain. "Who are you? And how did you come from the North Forest?"

"We come from beyond the barrier," Aria stepped forward and spoke.

The cavalrymen murmured in astonishment, their discussions buzzing.

"My friend is injured, can you help him?" Aria shouted loudly, her voice drowning out the chaotic clamor.

"Don't talk nonsense, no one can enter here," the commander said angrily, his gaze fixed on Neven like a torch. "Is this sword yours?"

Neven straightened up, his tone displeased. "Of course it's mine."

He scoffed and pointed at the sword. "You're not worthy of owning it, you don't even know how to use it."

At this moment, Aria noticed that Neven's sword was also embedded with a crystal, but unlike the cavalrymen's, it emitted no light.

"I guess you're just a thief who stole our sword," the commander said sternly. "Men, take them back to the Moon Tower and let the tribunal deal with these two thieves."