Chapter 90
In a world where shadows danced with light and the boundaries between reality and the supernatural blurred, Ethan found himself teetering on the edge of his own consciousness. It was as if time had warped, each fleeting moment stretching into an eternity within the recesses of his mind.
He sensed the dark tendrils of something vile and malevolent whispering to him from deep within, an insidious force that sought to consume him and morph him into a creature he dreaded to become.
Raised in a family that instilled strength and resilience, he carried a legacy of courage, a priceless heirloom passed down through generations. Yet, amid the chaos of orc hordes ravaging their city, Ethan faced a disquieting realization: the wild beast within was not solely a threat; it was a tool, forged from pain and survival, that could be wielded to protect the innocent.
As he stood engulfed in chaos, Ethan's heart raced with adrenaline. Manifesting his powers under the title of the Vermilion Sovereign, dark flames flickered at his fingertips, illuminating the crumbling concrete that surrounded him with an eerie, misty red amber glow. He was acutely aware of what lay at stake not just humanity's survival but the fragile glimmers of happiness that persisted in the shadows of despair.
In Katarine's arms, he had found a sanctuary, a beacon of solace against the encroaching darkness that threatened to overwhelm him. For a moment, within that embrace, he felt anchored. It was because of her that he found the strength to confront the wild, violent urges stirring within him.
The happiness he discovered in her presence ignited a fierce determination to protect those who sought their own joy, even as supernatural beings encroached upon their existence, making happiness feel increasingly elusive.
Katarine was a kindred spirit; she, too, carried the weight of darkness in her heart. However, Ethan understood that succumbing to those urges would be an act of foolishness, a sign of weakness. In these tumultuous times, where magic and mana reshaped reality, individuals awakened abilities that could either help or hinder their survival. While Ethan, as the Vermilion Sovereign, waged his war against the invading orc hordes, Katarine remained a sentinel, watching with unwavering conviction. She believed he was destined for greatness, meant to forge a path that transcended the chaos surrounding them.
In that moment, the city's fate hung by a thread. The entertainment district was cordoned off, frustration mounting among citizens who yearned for escape. Military personnel, alongside the knightly orders, worked tirelessly with the citizens to establish a secure perimeter. Among them was Knight Commander Elandra of the Aether Guild, leading an elite group of knights, including Knight Lirael, Knight Kellan, and Knight Talia, as they devised strategies to combat the encroaching threat of the horde.
Together, they pushed through and used the military as they used their high powered riffles to hinder the movement of the horde, unaware to them that a few different creatures also joined the hunt; these were more violent and ferocious than the rest. A hand full of guild knights had already joined the hunt, and many were able to secure their claim for some Orcs that strayed from the main group. Seeing the city government was able to surround the two city blocks, the horde didn't expect that the humans were prepared to deal with them..
It was making the horde really frustrated as they were running around that two city blocks like rats inside a confined space. The horde underestimated the awakened ability, and users as the horde didn't expect that these frail, weak mortals could also conjure invisible shields that would hold the orc horde at bay and even push them back as the other human used metal machinery to quickly place the stone wall around the place. The cooperative spirit between the construction crews and knights was remarkable an intricate ballet of magic and machinery that formed a protective barrier around the beleaguered city.
All the while, the true battle raged on in the heart of chaos as Ethan or the Vermilion Sovereign wrestled against the darkness within him, determined to emerge as the he regain his control over the the pack and the murder of crows ,
The fallen glass that came from the hotel casino exposed the building and most of the hotel and casino guess, these people were shocked to see that their tainted blurred window shattered and burst into shards, revealing the interior of the building . As the chaos unfolded, Ethan knew that he had to adjust his battle plan as the civilians on the top floor of the casino hotel finally gained insight into what was really happening below.
The reason why the casino hotel windows were tinted and locked was to safely prevent the guests from doing anything that might compromise their safety or do anything reckless. Ethan quickly realized that the situation had escalated beyond his control, and he needed to find a way to protect both the civilians and his team. The shattered window not only exposed the interior of the building but also left them vulnerable to potential threats from outside.
The energy that Ethan released disintegrated and fractured the entire east side of the 50 floor casino hotel windows , sending shards of glass flying in all directions. The sound of alarms blaring filled the air as chaos erupted within the building, forcing the casino security to finally act and accept that their plan to hide what was happening outside failed. The casino hotel manager and owner had to make a choice, but quickly to contain the situation before it spiraled out of control, the emergency alarm was finally activated.
The casino hotel was created to hide and secure their guess to never leave the premises until they were penniless. That is why most security personnel were instructed to never let the guess leave under any circumstance. The emergency alarm blared throughout the building, alerting guests and staff to the danger outside. Security personnel quickly sprang into action, ushering guests to safety and containing the situation before it escalated further.
The blood wolves and the numerous murders of crows haven't been able to even go down the 46 floor as they were held of and trapped on that floor until these creatures mana were all consumed.
This was the reason Ethan summoned creatures became erratic and upset as they could not fully complete their given mission, and to compensate for these failures, the murder of crows decided to just return to Ethan and become his shield and protection.
Since the summoned wanted to make up for the failure of their commanded mission, they upgraded Ethan's whip sword, while the cloak feathers became his new fighting armor, giving him a new look. The horde saw and felt that they were not the hunters but this being's prey.
Rulgar, second in command under the Orc Grathok, gathered the warg riders and ordered them to take as many arrows as they could to bombarded the enemy with these deadly projectiles. The warg riders, skilled in archery, understood that their main target was strong and killing the Vermilion Sovereign was the priority.
They gathered from the same distance and took aim at Ethan, who was still recovering from his conscious state after the last battle. The warg riders released a volley of arrows, aiming directly at Ethan, the warg riders hoping to take out the Vermilion Sovereign and thinking he was the leader , and weaken the enemy forces in one swift strike. As the arrows flew through the air, Rulgar watched with anticipation, knowing that this could be a turning point in the battle for dominance.
Ethan's mind raced, the fading clarity and lingering confusion intertwining with a sense of resolve. He was not just another victim in this chaotic skirmish; he was a beacon of defiance amidst the encroaching darkness. With every arrow that fell harmlessly around him, he felt a surge of energy ignite within. The orcs, caught up in their moment of triumph, failed to realize the hunter had become the hunted. They underestimated the very fabric of his being—the enchanted cloak that shielded him from their deadly projectiles, woven from the remnants of a once-great ancient order, was a testament to the craftsmanship and magic of a long-lost civilization.
As the chaos unfolded around him, Ethan's heart beat in time with the clash of steel and the cries of battle. He could hear the guttural roars of the orcs mixed with the shouts of his comrades rallying against the odds. The ground trembled beneath a cacophony of war, but he stood firm, his vacant eyes sharpening into a piercing focus. He was a hunter reborn, ready to exploit this moment of disorder. With calculated precision, he drew the gleaming dagger sheathed at his side, its blade shimmering under the dim, flickering light of the torches. Each step he took ignited a burning desire for vengeance, each movement reflecting a singular purpose in a world beset by chaos.
Ethan surged forward, a predator among prey, the very embodiment of the storm that brewed within him. The orcs fell before him, their confidence shattered as the tide turned. What had seemed like a certain victory now teetered on the edge of devastation. He moved with grace and lethality, the echoes of his past fueling his every strike. As arrows continued to rain down, each one a whisper of the impending doom for those who sought to claim his life, Ethan transformed the fray into chaos, turning the battlefield into his personal arena where fear and glory danced hand in hand in the fading light of dusk.
Ethan regained his composure and saw what just happened. He wanted to reach out and extend his retractable weapon outward and fully engage the situation that just happened; in his mind it was like days, but in reality he only spent a few minutes of rest.
In the heart of an ancient castle, where stone walls whispered secrets of centuries past, Victor Yuli Romanov stood before a flickering screen. The remnants of a bygone era surrounded himtapestries depicting his ancestors' conquests hung heavy with dust, while the chill of history echoed through the drafty halls. He could feel it in his bones; power was shifting like tectonic plates beneath their feet. At that moment, miles away yet intimately close in spirit, Varinka Romanov felt the electric thrill coursing through her veins. It was not merely adrenaline; it was something darker, a seductive pulse that quickened her heart and ignited her senses.
She had always been drawn to violence, and yet again she danced on its precipice. The bloodlust enveloped her like a blancket, fear intertwined with exhilaration as she embraced the chaos they had unleashed upon their clan.
The world outside this fortress was engulfed in turmoil. Cities burned as factions fought for supremacy amidst crumbling governments and rising warlords. Victor and Varinka saw opportunity where others saw despair; their clan's elders were nothing more than relics waiting to be discarded. With ruthless precision, they had orchestrated a coup that would echo throughout history.
"Did you feel it?" Victor asked softly as he adjusted the dials on the ancient television set—a bizarre artifact from another age repurposed for this new world order. Images flickered into focus: cities falling under siege by monstrous hordes known as Uruk-hai, or Orc figures out of myth awakened by mankind's folly.
Varinka's gaze remained fixed on the screen, but her mind roamed deeper—into shadows where violence thrived and power beckoned seductively like an unquenchable thirst. She sensed every drop of blood spilled by her hand or those loyal to them surged within her—a symphony of destruction playing just for her ears.
"Can you feel it?" she murmured breathlessly, as if trying to ensnare Victor in this intoxicating web woven from fear and excitement. Victor watched his cousin grapple with these emotions—the tumultuous waves crashing against the shore of her consciousness—and felt pride swell within him like an untamed storm.
They were no longer mere pawns in a game dictated by old men who clung desperately to fading legacies; they were architects shaping a new reality forged from ambition and ruthlessness. As dusk fell over their domain, Varinka surrendered fully to the ecstasy that came with each calculated move they made against their elders their deaths marked not just victories but rites of passage into something greater than themselves.
Her laughter rang out hollowly within those cold stone walls when news arrived: one of twelve clan apostles lay dead at their feet after Victor claimed leadership without hesitation or remorse.
"This is only the beginning."
She whispered fiercely, eyes ablaze with manic fervor. Victor nodded solemnly even as he reveled in visions grander than mere survival—they would dominate all who dared oppose them or threaten what was rightfully theirs: dominion over darkness itself. But lurking beneath Varinka's bravado simmered unease, a shadow creeping closer each time she indulged this newfound hunger for violence.
"Look, cousin that is the person that made me decide to risk everything."
" I need all the power of our clan. So that person will bow down and fear me!"
"Varinka, remember you helped me finally get the seat that holds the power of our clan."
"Killing a knight is now easily attainable; we are now the masters of our own fate, with the strength to crush any who dare oppose us."
"Together, we will reign supreme, unchallenged in our dominion over darkness and fear."
"By the way , why are you so obese with that particular masked knight?:
" he is the owner of the hunting knife that was seen near my little brothers burnt corpse"
"Are you sure about that, Varinka? No one of my hired men was able to any information on who was the owner of that weapon."
"Remember Victor, my awake powers are connected to blood; my blood frenzy gift can sense the remnants of any kind of blood , even if it was a year ago."
" I could perfectly see the blod aura from any living being that has already killed another living lifeform."
"And that person's aura was more than enough to make me shiver in fear, and I do not like being treated."
"He might be a knight, but his not immortal Varinka, you can easily end his life."
"That is why I can wait to go back to your city and hunt him down like a rat."
"we do have a hired dozen of registered knights in our payroll, used them as much as you like,"
"Those knights are greedy enough to throw away their loyalty for the right price. But I trust you, Varinka, to handle this situation with your usual violent finesse and bloody efficiency."
"Your reputation precedes you, and I have no doubt that you will make quick work of this knight without the need for hired help."
"Our clan's armory is open for your personal needs. "Feel free to equip yourself with whatever you require to ensure success in this mission. We have the utmost confidence in your abilities, Varinka."
"Remember, just have fun and delight the hunt with all your might."
"so they are calling you the Vermilion Sovereign, the first time we met you made me look weak and helpless,"
" With my entire clan's support and power, I will taste your blood on my finger tips."
Back to the entertainment district of the megacity of Eldridge on the continent in the Northern and Western Hemispheres. This city was renamed by the elected president to wipe all of the bad history and having a nickname based on a fruit was highly ridiculous when thousands of children got poisoned from eating this particular fruit. The president's decision to rename the city was met with mixed reactions, as many citizens felt it was an unnecessary erasure of history. The incident with the poisoned fruit further fueled the controversy surrounding the city's new identity.
As people began to realize their potential in the tumultuous landscape of a world where the mythical past and present intertwined, a significant shift took place within the heart of the urban populace. This revelation prompted a profound reassessment of communal identity and aspirations, leading to unsuspected transformations in the fabric of daily life.
The awakening was especially poignant in the city that had once been overshadowed by its storied history, prompting a change so bold that it demanded a new name—Eldridge. Under the leadership of a forward-thinking president, this rebranding sought not only to erase the shackles of an outdated legacy but to align the city's identity with the vibrant possibilities of its citizens' newfound recognition of themselves as architects of their own destiny.
The dual moniker of Eldridge, also known as Empire City, was an emblematic nod to the grandeur of its predecessors, evoking echoes of New York City's historic pulse while inviting a reinvigorated spirit of ambition and innovation. This amalgamation of the old and new served as a catalyst for reinvention, allowing residents to weave together the rich tapestries of myth and reality in their everyday lives.
With streets that mixed ancient lore with contemporary dreams, Eldridge became a sanctuary where the boundaries of fantasy through the ages flourished alongside human achievement. Ultimately, this deliberate shift in nomenclature signaled a collective desire for rebirth, encapsulating the essence of hope and the unwavering belief in a future forged by the very hands of its citizens.
Subtle creatures were evidently seen as unknown fauna, and flora started to emerge and grow all over the planet. Creatures that could only be seen in books were seen in random occurrences, but the biggest chance was gaining magical abilities. abilities, when our main two protagonists were born they were already introduced to this change; they might have been born in different backgrounds and blood lines,, but their shared destiny was intertwined with the new world unfolding before them.
Soon the Crimson Queen will appear. And other powerful nobilities will rise to challenge our main protagonists, testing their newfound abilities and putting their skills to the ultimate test. As the stakes continue to rise, our main characters must learn to trust each other and harness their magical gifts in order to fulfill their destiny and save their world from impending doom.
Ethan was now returning to his hunting nature; his violent approach was messy and lacked finesse and trill for his predatory upbringing. He knew he needed to return to his true nature and find a balance between his primal instincts and the control necessary to defeat the looming threats surrounding him, as the sun was still many hours away from rising and time was running out. The barricade encirclement to the small controlled skirmishes from numerous guild knights that wanted to contribute and gain fame was amassing in numbers.
He was able to open a new ability that was connected to his true power; Ethan can now scan the area and detect any living thing in all directions, giving him a strategic advantage in the upcoming battles. With this newfound ability, Ethan felt a surge of confidence as he prepared to face the increasing number of guild knights closing in on his position. This power was new to him, as he was more trained in his physical and sensory abilities rather than supernatural powers. And casting magical spells by word of mouth.
"What should I call this skill?"
"Blood Pursue!"
"I can clearly see and even sense the blood vain hiding among the shadows and even behind thick walls with a hundred meters."
"What an amazing ability!"
Ethan thought to himself, pondering the possibilities of using this skill to outmaneuver his opponents. With this newfound power, he was ready to turn the tide of battle in his favor and emerge victorious against all odds."
"Let me pin point the enemy's location and use the surrounding structures to my advantage," Ethan whispered to himself, a plan forming in his mind. With a newfound confidence, he stepped forward, ready to put his Blood Pursuit skill to the test and emerge as the ultimate victor in the upcoming battle.
"Breathe slowly and move swiftly like the wind that blows in the air; each movement must be calculated and precise."
Ethan thought to himself as he prepared to execute his plan. With determination in his eyes, he took a deep breath and focused on the task at hand, knowing that victory was within reach if he remained calm and strategic in his movements.
The reporters watching and broadcasting everything live added pressure that fueled the determination of the other guild knights to succeed. It was a cumbersome scene; every element was so dramatic and confusing. All possible angles were pointed out as Marcus Rhea the camera, was along side his main partner, Mira, the veteran journalist, decided to move and enter the barricaded area.
"Get ready," hissed Marcus Rhea, her cameraman, a wiry man with wild hair who had seen his fair share of conflict zones.
"Whatever's about to happen… it feels monumental."
"You are leaving your camera here unmanned.?"
"Geez, Mira we have been working together all these years, and you still doubt my skill."
"Look at this set up; I made sure to cover all our angles. This three piece camera gear is the most expensive camera in the market. It has an AI that tracks all motion and adjusts the zoom and focuses on targeted areas. Even if we leave our current location and physically join the first, it will continue to broadcast everything."
"Holy crap!, Marcus! Were you get this stuff ?"
"Never mind! As long as it gets the job done,"
"Better wear a protective vest, Mira; we are doing this the old fashioned way!"
Mira nodded but kept her gaze fixed on the cloaked knight from afar as they fanned out along the alleyway. There was something disturbingly synchronized about their movements; it was as if they were part of some dark ballet choreographed in anticipation of catastrophe.
" I have covered a lot of skirmishes in other countries but this is the most unpredictable situation I have ever seen."
Mira whispered to her colleague, her voice barely audible over the commotion. The tension in the air was palpable, sending shivers down her spine as she prepared for whatever may come next.
As the final countdown to the battle was about to begin,