It is a Mystic Night. The Southern Forest is shrouded in darkness and deafening silence.
The Divine Lord Foeni and the Temple Guards lie in wait at the outskirts of this dense, solemn forest. Time seems like in a standstill as they listen carefully and sense their surroundings.
It is a cold, moonless night, and this forest gives an eerie vibe. The night continues to drag on, and no Shadows appear to cause havoc.
"My Lord, do you think Little Eu made a mistake? We've been waiting here for hours..." the Vice-Captain asked hesitantly.
Vice-Captain Mineaus is a Minotaur. He has a beautiful, well built, muscular body and head of a bull with very intimidating horns.
He is second in command in Limes Temple, and he knew the Divine Lord trusts Eu. He doesn't want to sound as if he is doubting the girl or creating a rift between them.
"Hush..." the Divine Lord Foeni responded and ignored his words.
He raised his hand as he continues to scan the surroundings. He also finds it odd that Eu sent him in this isolated place.
Still, Lord Foeni wants to believe, Eu has a reason why he is necessary to be there. It is quite apparent the Shadows target is Limes Temple, after all.
He recalls Eu's words as they part ways earlier that day.
'Save him…'
He continues to ponder about the one who needs to be saved.
Not long, he started sensing irregular movements from the dense forest. The careful, rustling sound and the low growls broke the solemnity of the night.
"They have arrived..." the Divine Lord murmured.
A tall, masked man in black leather garbs emerges from the shadows. His golden amber eyes glow in the dark as he scouts the premises.
A dark figure approaches him and whispers closely to his ear. He listens carefully to his subordinate as he nods from time to time.
Meanwhile, the Divine Lord continue to observe him. He knits his brows as he tries to figure out this intruder's identity.
"My Lord..." Vice-Captain Mineaus called out.
The Divine Lord told him to hush and stand down as he continues to observe him. He has a gut feeling an unexpected scenario will unfold.
On the other hand, the intruder waves his hand, and his small army appeared. About a thousand shadow footmen slip out from the darkness where they lingered.
Much to their surprise, the Divine Lord and his men have welcomed them to this isolated place. Still, the man remained calm as he summons his sword and faces the gallant Phoenix Lord.
"I don't wish any of you harm, but if you insist on breaking into the sacred grounds. I will force you out of my territory." the Divine Lord Foeni coldly announced.
The Shadows didn't budge as they await their Master's response. This is not something they have anticipated, after all.
They ensure their movements are discreet, and they have been cautious not to alarm anyone. The skirmishes are not their doing after all.
"We only came for the girl. Hand her over!" the Mysterious, masked man demanded.
The Divine Lord Foeni rolled his eyes as he sneers. He assumes they are referring to Little Eu.
How dare they demand such an inexcusable thing!?
"And you expect me to hand over this girl willingly? Just like that because you asked?" The Divine Lord inquired in such a hostile tone.
He summons his weapon in response. His golden fan acts as a shield and his beautiful long silver sword on his other hand.
Everyone did the same as they shifted to a different stance. Any moment now, these two factions will engage in an imminent fight.
They remained still waiting for someone to start this brawl. The tension between them intensifies every moment it continues to drag.
Not long, someone threw a fireball and created a massive explosion between them.
Finally, the inevitable clash has commenced.
Meanwhile, the Masked man is startled with this sudden attack. He is aware none of his men would do such a thing without his orders.
He shifted his attention to the Divine Lord and knew he is not that kind of person. He is not a reckless person who will engage them without being provoked.
He looks around in hopes to discover the anomaly. His golden amber eyes glow while he observes his surroundings.
He grits his teeth and clenches his fist. He started suspecting that something ominous is at work.
The Divine Lord noticed his opponent's wariness. The mysterious man is obviously distracted.
Everyone is engaged in defending themselves and fighting each other. Sometimes, they can't distinguish who is their real enemy anymore.
'Lord Foeni, these Shadows...' Triteia spoke via telepathy.
Before she can finish her sentence, he noticed a flash, discreetly traveling towards the masked man. He knits his brows as he recalls Eu's words.
'You have to save him...'
The Divine Lord decided to intervene and shielded the Mysterious man from the attack. He is sure this is not from one of his men.
Meanwhile, the Mysterious man fell as he looks at his savior. The silver spear fell a few yards from him after the Divine Lord Foeni blocked and pulled him out of its way.
His mask fell, and Noite's ashen face was revealed. His long silver hair cascades and his identity was exposed.
"Noite...?" the Divine Lord Foeni exclaimed.
He can't believe he is fighting with him, and he is the person in command of the Shadows. He knits his brows as he remembers his conversation with Eu.
Eu is in contact with Noite. She suspects he and his brother is behind the Shadows.
He didn't believe her, but now, he doesn't know how to confront the situation. Why are they creating a disturbance?
"Young Master…!" one of the Shadows shouted as he approaches the man.
The chaos continues around them while Noite, his guard, and the Divine Lord stare at each other. There was silence between them while Lord Foeni looks at them questioningly.
'Why?'
Noite bows his head, unable to explain his reasons. It was simple after all— he can't easily abandon his brother.
Then again, his attention fell on the silver spear that almost took his life. It is a familiar weapon that belongs to one of his brother's trusted subordinates.
He looks around and quickly noticed that his men are being slain not by the Divine Lord's men but his brother's elite forces. Cold sweat trickle on his spine at the ominous scene.
He can't believe his own brother has betrayed him. He sent him here to be slaughtered not by the Divine Lord but by his own men.
The Master of the Shadows.
He looks at the Divine Lord Foeni with a mixed expression of guilt and gratefulness. If it weren't for him, he would surely die from that attack.
"Thank you, Ravikanth..." he murmurs.
The Divine Lord Foeni looks away as he observes the chaos before him. He ordered not to harm their enemies, but someone among these Shadows is slaying Noite's men.
There is a wave of evident anger on his face as he returns into the battlefield. He observes the Shadows and looks closely into their unique auras.
He quickly differentiated them and ordered to concentrate on eliminating the hostile shadows. They emerge from their hiding places as they mixed themselves from the lot.
Meanwhile, Noite and his guard were simply surprised by his command.
'Is the Divine Lord saving them? Why...?' Noite looks at him quizzically.
His head is muddled with his current situation. His brother is trying to kill him while his enemy is his savior.
'What is really happening here…?'
"Young Master, are you alright...?" his guard asked.
Noite looks at him in dazed as he weakly smiles. He is unharmed thanks to the Divine Lord's interference.
He can't believe that his loyalty will lead him to his death. If the Lord Foeni didn't shield him, he would die from the hands of his brother's men.
"This can't be possible. This is a mistake... My brother..." he murmurs in denial.
His guard looks at him with sympathetic eyes. It is evident his brother has the intention to eliminate them, but he didn't give out his opinion.
His brother's men was probably a precaution if ever, the Divine Lord Foeni doesn't have intentions to harm them. Still, how did everything led to this?
Why did the Master want to kill his own sibling?
Noite closes his eyes as he noticed his men decline in numbers. He doesn't want to continue watching his men die in front of him.
Noite stood up with the assistance of his guard. He decided to cast a spell in order to save everyone. He doesn't want to sacrifice his men for his brother's madness.
He slowly reenters the chaos to begin his enchantment. He cast a spell using a few drops of his blood.
Shadows are bounded in a contract with their chosen Master. He doesn't want to leave them behind to be slaughtered. Nobody deserves such cruel fates.
They are his comrades!
Noite cast a large scale teleport spell and carefully selected all his men from the lot. It doesn't matter how much magic it requires. It doesn't concern him.
It might even be an impossible feat, but he will defy it and make it possible.
His brother's men noticed his movements and tried once again to assassinate him. Now that he is aware, he has no intention to indulge them and offer his life.
He will obliterate anyone who dares to harm him again. He cast a protective barrier while he carries on with his plan.
The Divine Lord Foeni decided to let him go while he does his best to protect his men. He assumes Noite wanted to confront his brother after this incident.
He wanted to give them that chance.
The Guards and the Divine Lord took care of the Shadows, who does not belong to Noite's ranks.
Meanwhile, Noite escapes with everyone else.
The battle was settled as they finally defeat the remaining shadows trying to break through them. They might be stealthy, but the Divine Lord Foeni didn't give them a chance to deceive him.
The Shadow who attacked Noite was left alone before them. Despite his defeat, he still looks at everyone with disdain and satisfaction.
He manages to leave significant damage from the Divine Lord's and Noite's ranks. Even if he failed, he still considers them achievements.
His Master will be the one to finish the job he started. Once that happens, he is sure that no one will be left unscratched.
"Do you really believe you have won? Guess again, you didn't…" he revealed.
He let out a sinister laugh before turning into ashes and disappearing into the darkness.