Crimson Heart

58

William rushed through the dimly lit corridors of the Stellaron Hunters' ship, his heart pounding with urgency. He found Lux in the circle, her golden aura flickering with uncertainty as she sensed the chaos of the confrontation still lingering in the air.

William: "Lux! We need to talk. It's urgent."

Her eyes widened at his expression, a mix of concern and curiosity.

Lux: "What happened?"

William: "The king... he's been the leader of the Anti-Matter Legion all this time. He's the one draining the power from the mages!"

Lux gasped, her eyes reflecting shock and fear.

Lux: "But why? What does he want with our magic?"

William clenched his fists, recalling the cold, twisted smile on the king's face.

William: "Power. He believes he can control everything, even using your light as a weapon against anyone who opposes him. We have to be ready."

Silver Wolf entered the room, her expression serious.

Silver Wolf: "William, there's something else. The corpse of the dragon... it vanished."

A wave of dread washed over him.

William: "What do you mean it vanished?"

Silver Wolf: "We searched the area, but it was gone. No trace. It's as if it never existed."

William cursed under his breath, the realization crashing over him like a wave.

William: "The king tricked us. He wanted us to bring the dragon's body to him, knowing we'd lead him right to it!"

Lux: "But why would he do that?"

William: "To siphon its power, to strengthen his own dark magic. He knows we're a threat, and he's playing us like pawns."

Silver Wolf's gaze hardened, her resolve sharpening.

Silver Wolf: "We can't let him get away with this. We need a plan—something to counteract his moves."

William nodded, determination burning in his eyes.

William: "We gather our resources, prepare the others, and find a way to track him down. He won't see us coming next time."

Lux: "And we'll protect each other. Together."

William felt a swell of gratitude and strength from their support.

William: "Yes, together. We will stop him before it's too late."

With newfound resolve, they began to strategize, plotting their next move against the king and the looming threat of the Anti-Matter Legion. The battle was far from over, but William knew they would face it head-on, united and ready to fight for their freedom.

William took a deep breath, steeling himself as he walked through the ship to the common area where the rest of the Stellaron Hunters—Sam, Kafka, and Blade—were gathered. The weight of the encounter with the king hung heavily on his shoulders, and he could feel the tightness in his throat as he prepared to share everything that had happened.

As he entered the room, the atmosphere shifted; the hunters sensed his tension.

Sam: "William! You look like you've seen a ghost. What happened?"

Kafka: "You're trembling. What did that monster do to you?"

William's voice trembled as he spoke, the memories rushing back, igniting a fire of emotions within him.