Chereads / Elda Ghoul System / Chapter 46 - Church Hunter

Chapter 46 - Church Hunter

Night's hands were surrounded by a swirling vortex of blood, the hardened blood knife gleaming menacingly in the moonlight. Milenna, still in her wolf state, crouched low to the ground, her yellow eyes fixed intently on the shadow werewolf.

Suddenly, the shadow werewolf lunged forward with incredible speed, its jaws open wide, ready to devour Night whole. He barely had time to react, creating a blood wall to protect himself. The werewolf phased through the barrier, its body momentarily halted. However, it quickly recovered and snapped its jaws shut, missing Night's head by mere inches.

He narrowly avoided being bitten, leaping backward just in time. Seizing the opportunity, Milenna unleashed a flurry of energy claws at the werewolf's neck. Unfortunately, they too failed to cause any lasting damage, instead embedding themselves deep within nearby trees, most trees in a quarter mile exploded into bits.

As the shadow werewolf turned its attention to Milenna, a figure emerged from the darkness, dressed in gleaming golden armor strode confidently towards the trio, his face hidden behind a mysterious blue hood. 

The helmet crafted from pure gold, shaped to resemble a crown with intricate engravings depicting scenes from religious texts. The visor can be raised or lowered, allowing the wearer to reveal or conceal their face as needed. On top of the helmet sits a small, delicate cross made of solid glowing light, serving as a symbol of the wearer's faith and allegiance to the Church.

Each gauntlet is fashioned to resemble a closed fist, with the fingers covered in articulated metal plates. The palms are adorned with golden tracery, etched with protective symbols and sigils. The cuffs are reinforced with additional layers of steel to provide maximum protection for the hands and wrists.

The breastplate is a masterpiece of golden armor, shaped to fit comfortably around the torso while providing extensive coverage. It features a central motif of a triumphant angel, wings spread wide, surrounded by rays of light and scrolling vines. The edges are trimmed with a border of interlocking scales, giving the impression of a celestial aura.

Attached to the breastplate via chainmail ties, the tassets are designed to protect the thighs and groin area. They consist of articulated golden plates, allowing for unhindered mobility during combat. Each plate is etched with a unique pattern, creating a subtle shimmer effect when the light catches them.

Covering the legs from knee to foot, the greaves are composed of overlapping lames, granting flexibility and defense against slashing attacks. The outer surface boasts ornate engravings, showcasing scenes of holy wars and victories won by the Church.

The sabatons are enclosed, offering comprehensive protection for the feet and ankles. Their design echoes that of the gauntlets, with each toe covered in individual metal plates. The soles feature intricate patterns of stars and crescent moons, adding traction and balance to the wearer's movements.

The blue ethereal hood is a vital component of the Church Hunter's armor. Made from a rare, translucent material imbued with magical properties, it flows like liquid around the wearer's shoulders and neck, providing an airy, weightless sensation. The hood's color shifts according to the light, ranging from a deep midnight blue to an iridescent, almost luminescent sheen. When activated, the hood emits a gentle, pulsating glow, shrouding the wearer in an aura of divine energy.

A flowing cloak made of golden fabric complements the armor, fastened at the shoulder with a gemstone brooch bearing the insignia of the Church. The cloak's hem is adorned with intricate embroidery, depicting scenes of martyrdom and sacrifice. Its golden texture seems to shift and change under varying light sources, reflecting the colors of the rainbow and radiating an otherworldly splendor.

Finally, the gloves are supple yet durable, constructed from layers of fine leather and reinforced with golden stitching. They allow the wearer to maintain dexterity while still enjoying the benefits of armored protection. The fingertips are capped with small, pointed studs, useful for grasping weapons or parrying incoming attacks.

This suit of armor, with its golden plates and blue ethereal hood, serves not only as a defender but also as a symbol of the Church Hunter's unwavering dedication to their sacred duty. It represents the unity between the physical and spiritual realms, channeling the wearer's devotion into a potent force capable of vanquishing evil and upholding justice.

He strode confidently towards the trio, his face hidden behind a mysterious blue hood. His very presence seemed to exude power and authority, striking fear into the hearts of both Night and Milenna.

"Oh, come on," the stranger drawled, surveying the chaos before him. "What did I miss?"

Both Night and Milenna growled in response, recognizing the insignia emblazoned on the man's chest - the symbol of the Star Hunters, a group tasked with taking down rogue supernatural threats. This man, however, seemed different from the rest. There was something unsettling about him, something that hinted at a deeper agenda beyond simple hunting.

"You're a Hunter, all right," Night spat out, his eyes never leaving the man's face. "But you're no Elite hunter just a Star hunter. What do you want here?"

Their words barely registered with the stranger, who continued to observe the shadow werewolf with undisguised interest. "Well, this will be fun," he replied, a mischievous glint dancing in his eye. "Let's see how long you two can keep up."

With those enigmatic words, the stage was set for a battle unlike any other. Two powerful warriors, a shadow werewolf, and a mysterious Hunter - each driven by their own motivations - prepared to clash in a spectacular display of strength and cunning. The moon watched silently overhead, bathed in the soft glow of the night sky, as the four combatants faced off amidst the rustling leaves and towering tree trunks of the ancient forest.

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The moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the forest clearing where the four enemies stood facing each other. The brown werewolf, Its eyes burned with a fierce yellow light, and its jaws were open in a snarl, revealing razor-sharp teeth. Beside it stood the pale, handsome vampire, his face twisted into a cruel smile as he held up his blood knife, the blade glinting malevolently in the moonlight. A blood chain connected the weapon to his left hand, and he seemed to exude an aura of dark power. Opposite them stood the hunter in golden armor, his blue ethereal hood fluttering in the breeze. His armor gleamed like the sun, and his eyes were bright with determination.

In the center of the clearing loomed the towering shadow werewolf, its body a dark blur that seemed to shift and writhe like a living thing. The air around it crackled with darkness, and the ground beneath it seemed to blacken and decay.

For a moment, the four enemies simply stared at each other, sizing each other up. The hunter drew his sword and spoke words of power, causing the blade to glow with a brilliant white light.

"In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti,

I call upon the power of the Holy Trinity,

To ignite the flame of righteousness within this blade"

Then, without warning and before the battle could truly begin, the vampire used his flash step ability and appeared directly behind the hunter in golden armor. The movement was so quick that it was almost imperceptible, and the man doesn't even flinch and instead focused on the shadow werewolf, which had begun to move towards him.

The brown werewolf took advantage of the distraction and launches itself at the shadow werewolf, its jaws wide open and ready to strike. However, its attack passed through the shadow wolf as if it were a ghost, and the wolf doesn't even react.

The hunter in golden armor quickly recovered, dodging the vampire's attack and swinging his glowing sword towards the shadow wolf. But just as the blade seemed about to connect, the shadow wolf vanished into thin air, only to reappear behind the werewolf, its jaws closing around the werewolf's throat.

The werewolf howled in pain, its body beginning to shift back into its human form as it struggled to break free from the shadow wolf's deadly grasp. The hunter in golden armor took advantage of the distraction, striking the vampire with a powerful blow, sending him flying across the clearing. The vampire's blood knife was sent flying from his hand, landing in the grass several feet away.

The shadow wolf turned its attention to the man in golden armor, its eyes burning with hatred. The man readied himself, his sword shining brighter than ever before. The shadow werewolf lunges at him, its jaws wide open, but the hunter was ready for it. He sidestepped the attack and striked the shadow wolf with his sword, dealing a heavy blow.

The hunter in golden armor stood watchfully, his blue ethereal hood and cloak fluttering in the gentle breeze.

A strange, dark blood began to seep from the shadow wolf's side, flowing like liquid darkness itself. The werewolf's gaze met the hunter's, and without hesitation, it dissolved into its shadow, fluidly transforming into a dark, mist-like substance that drifted towards the man.

The hunter readied himself for the impending attack, his hand firmly grasping the hilt of his glowing white sword. However, to his surprise, the shadow didn't assault him. Instead, it merely passed by him, heading towards the nearby city.

As the hunter watched the shadow disappear into the distance, he suddenly realized that the other two supernatural entities that had been fighting alongside him were nowhere to be seen. They had vanished, leaving him alone to face the aftermath of their battle.

A sense of unease crept over the hunter as he took in the destruction that surrounded him. The ground was dishevelled and charred, and most of the trees had exploded, as if they had been subjected to some unimaginable force. 

He glanced down at his sword, noticing that it had grown dim, its light fading like a dying ember. His golden armor, once radiant and gleaming, now appeared dull and tarnished, as if it too were losing its power.

The hunter's heart sank as he realized that he had used up most of his church energy in the battle. If the fight had continued any longer, it would have been lethal for him. He was alone, weakened, and vulnerable, with no idea how to stop the shadow wolf or whatever other dangers lay ahead.

"Those two ran away... well, I guess I got lucky then," the man muttered to himself, trying to keep his spirits up despite the grim situation. "It's been less than a minute, and I've used up all my church energy. If the battle had gone any longer , it would have been fatal for me."