The night air was still as Kael sauntered up to the castle’s outer guards. His steps were casual, almost lazy, and a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
“Evening, gentlemen,” he drawled, hands in his pockets. “Miss me?”
The guards immediately stiffened. Their faces twisted in recognition, a mix of anger and disgust flashing in their eyes.
“You!” one of them snarled, his voice guttural.
Kael shrugged nonchalantly. “Well, that’s no way to greet an old friend. I thought we were closer than this.”
The guards exchanged glances before one hissed, “Get him!”
Kael grinned, a glint of mischief in his eyes. “Catch me if you can.”
With that, he spun on his heel and bolted into the forest, the enraged guards hot on his heels.
---
Ethan watched from the shadows, his sharp gaze fixed on the commotion Kael had orchestrated. The guards abandoned their posts, their footsteps fading into the distance.
“Clear,” he muttered, motioning to the others.
Eliza, Gregory, and three rebellion fighters followed him silently, their movements practiced and precise. The castle loomed before them, its dark spires clawing at the night sky.
The group slipped through a side entrance Eliza had identified—a narrow, half-hidden door that creaked ominously as they pushed it open.
Inside, the air was damp, carrying the faint scent of stone and mildew. The hallway stretched ahead, dimly lit by torches mounted on the walls. Shadows danced, their flickering light adding an eerie quality to the silence.
“We split up here,” Ethan said, his voice low but commanding. “Eliza, you’re with me and Micah. Gregory, take the others. Move fast, stay quiet. Take out the guards and meet back at the central hall.”
Gregory nodded. “Got it. Don’t get yourselves killed.”
Eliza smirked. “Likewise.”
With that, the two groups parted ways, their footsteps fading into opposite directions.
---
Ethan’s group moved through the castle with practiced stealth, taking out guards one by one. Each takedown was swift and silent, a blur of movement followed by the dull thud of unconscious bodies hitting the floor.
The halls were a labyrinth of cold stone and high arches. Tapestries hung on the walls, their intricate designs depicting battles long past. Dust floated in the faint light, disturbed only by their passage.
“Eliza, where’s the crystal room?” Ethan asked, his tone clipped.
“Just ahead,” she replied, her eyes scanning every corner.
They rounded a corner and found themselves before a massive wooden door, its surface carved with intricate symbols.
“This is it,” Eliza whispered.
Micah stepped forward, his hand hovering over the handle. “Ready?”
Ethan nodded. “Let’s finish this.”
Micah pushed the door open, and they stepped inside.
---
The crystal room was breathtaking. At its center stood a towering pedestal, and atop it, the crystal shimmered with a light that seemed to pulse like a heartbeat. The room itself was vast, its high ceiling lost in shadow. The walls were lined with shelves holding ancient artifacts and scrolls, their significance a mystery.
Eliza approached the crystal, her steps cautious. The light reflected in her eyes, casting her face in an ethereal glow.
“This is it,” she murmured. “With this, we can end them.”
Ethan stepped forward, his hand outstretched toward the crystal. But before he could make contact, a loud clang echoed through the room.
The door slammed shut behind them.
They whirled around, weapons drawn, to find a man sitting in a high-backed chair near the wall. His posture was relaxed, almost lazy, as he observed them with a smug smile.
In his lap sat a creature unlike anything they’d ever seen. It was the size of a cat, but its eyes glowed a sickly yellow, and its skin was a mottled grey. Sharp, jagged teeth protruded from its mouth, and its long tail twitched with anticipation.
“I knew you’d come,” the man said, his voice smooth and taunting.
Eliza stepped forward, her blade gleaming in the faint light. “Who are you?”
The man chuckled, a sound that sent chills down their spines.
“The last face you’ll ever see,” he replied, his grin widening.
YOU ARE READING
Blood
FantasyEthan, a 16-year-old high school student, has always felt like an outsider in his small town. He's drawn to the mysterious and beautiful Emily, who's just transferred to his school. As they spend more time together, Ethan discovers that Emily is hid...
