𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐃𝐀𝐖𝐍 || 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦 𝐕𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 | 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫

Chapter XXIV: Enemies of Death

The Grimstone Tower Pt. 3

Welcome to the war, we've only begun
So pick up your weapon and face it
There's blood on the crown go and take it
You get one shot to make it out alive

~

A/N:  Yup. That song might be my theme song for this arc, idk. I feel like I'm going to battle every time I hear this song because it just sounds so epic. I developed this arc, brainstorming ideas while listening to this so… it just has to play in this chapter. LIGHT EM UP!

Just a reminder: this chapter is full on battle mode so be prepared for violence, bloodshed (?) Do Shades bleed?, harm, and all that stuff. Sigh, you should've been warned in the beginning that this book isn't about blue skies and rainbows. My bad.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

FOR A BRIEF moment, the Dúathor I was caught off guard with William’s armor. It wondered why its strikes had no effect on him. For his armor was a shield of its own that no other weapon or blade could damage it. The Dúathor I might keep on attacking him, but his armor would just absorb the blows and the magic within it; or would also deflect it.

And it was all William needed to not get defeated again.

He sent tree roots towards the Dúathor I, who deflected it by slicing it to pieces with its sword. It let out a deep cackle in Morgrim’s voice. “Suppose you can now protect yourself. But your attacks are so slow a sloth might be faster than them. All you can do is defend, not attack. For that, you can never kill me with your pathetic world tree magic.”

A smirk slid wide across his lips, summoning a huge tree from above. And beneath it shot mini root bullets, quicker and smaller, yet had more impact than a rifle.

The Dúathor I turned around midair, swinging its sword to deflect them. Yet it was all the diversion William was waiting for, as it was an ample opportunity for him to see an opening he didn't hesitate to grab. He impaled the Dúathor I with his roots on its back, and he grabbed his wrist, making the roots explode and expand with smaller roots throughout the Dúathor I’s body.

As it let out a loud deafening screech, William replied, “It is not just a pathetic world tree magic, Morgrim. It is the Tree of Life, the enemy of death.”

William was taken aback himself from his response, taking in what Nion had said to him about his world tree magic. He couldn't stop thinking that perhaps, just perhaps, his magic might be even stronger. And even though he kept on denying it, saying that felt right on his tongue.

“I believe that someday, you will grow out of just growing world trees, William.” Julius said; and he couldn't do anything but accept that he was right.

He grabbed onto his tree branches before he fell, looking up to where Solene should be.

Please be safe, Solene. I will come to you. Just a while more.

Morgrim couldn't help but frown at William’s reply as he watched Solene fight three of his Dúathors. She seemed more formidable than he thought, stronger and more powerful than he realized. Fighting one Dúathor might have been a challenge to some ordinary mortals, but fighting three at the same time… Morgrim had to take her life.

Solene was growing uncertain every second, not knowing how much longer her phoenix armor would hold up against the Dúathors. Her mind was overflowing with emotions of fear, fury, and concern, and her eyes were getting dizzy just trying to keep up with their movements. Every tick of the clock was the speed of which they disappeared like mist in shadows, and they suddenly appeared to attack her.