Chapter 4: The League of Shadows
The night was low, the Phaedrus Forest was shrouded in an eerie silence, and only the sound of the wind whistling could be heard in the ruins of the old Ottoman fortress. There was a hint of imperceptible crisis in the air. Edmund and Don walked side by side on the pale forest path, the darkness cast by the shadows of the trees dancing around them as if they were alive. The ruby in Edmund's hand glowed a dark red in the faint moonlight as if foreshadowing an impending and unsettling fate.
The coldness of the night invades every inch of their skin, but they have long been accustomed to the endless loneliness and icy existence. Ever since Edmund became a vampire, the only thing that has kept his heart from beating is the flame of vengeance burning in his chest.
He gazed down at the ruby again, the pain in his heart seeming like it would never stop. The gem was not only a relic left to him by Evelyn but also a symbol of the life she gave to save his own. Whenever he held it tightly, it was as if he could still feel her last body heat.
Meanwhile, in the distant palace, Leah stood before a giant mirror that reflected her cold, unfeeling face. In one hand, she held a wand of amethyst as tall as a man with a complete tip and a whole body of violet light, and in the other hand, she gently stroked the necklace around her neck, a sapphire that echoed Evelyn's ruby. She gave a cold smile to the mirror.
"Edmund, are you still in pain over that poor woman?"
Leah whispered to herself, a flicker of jealousy flashing in her eyes,
"You think her death will make you strong, but in reality, I'm the one who controls everything you do."
The jealousy and hatred in Leah's heart make her more powerful. Her sorcery manipulates darkness and hearts. She knew Edmund would come for revenge, and just as the prey could not escape the trapper's net, she laid numerous traps in his path.
Under the cover of the night, Leah's plans are proceeding quietly. Her men were busily setting up dark spells in the forest outside the palace to help Brian. The firelight jumped in the darkness of the night with a suffocating sense of oppression.
--
"We've got to hurry," Don's voice tightened. The breeze ruffled his face, and his eyes were fixed ahead, though the darkness around him blurred his vision. He sensed some evil approaching.
A low sound of horses' hooves came from the forest's depths, breaking the eerie tranquility. Tang's hand immediately gripped the hilt of his sword, and Edmund was also alert. In the mist, the outlines of several cavalrymen were faintly visible, and at the head of them was a man clad in black armor-Bryan-whose eyes gazed coldly ahead.
"Edmund," Brian spoke lowly, his voice as sharp as a blade, "your journey ends here."
Behind Brian was a group of well-equipped light knights, armed with spears and shields, moving swiftly and quickly to surround Edmund and Don.
"We're surrounded," Don whispered, his eyes as sharp as a falcon's.
Edmund turned to face Brian, and the ruby clutched in his hand, the gem glowing ominously in the faint light. On the other hand, Don transformed into a silver wolf, his massive body casting a vast shadow over the forest.
"Brian, you have been blinded by darkness." Edmund's voice was calm and firm, "Today, I must stop you."
The battle raged on. Brian and his light cavalry swung their longswords, their attacks swift and merciless. On the other hand, Edmund utilized his Time Sword Dance and a time distortion accompanied each swing of his sword. Edmund leaped up, and his sword blade drew a lightning-like arc in the air, instantly cutting the Shadow Beast that rushed at the front into two pieces. His movements were as swift as the wind, and each strike was precise and accurate. He knew this battle would be a matter of life and death, and he felt the ruby's restlessness and power stirring within him.
Don roared across the battlefield, his giant claws tearing through the air, each charging attack striking the enemy with pinpoint accuracy. However, Brian was no easy target, and his sword skills became even more deadly with the addition of dark magic.
In the heat of the battle, Edmund overused his abilities, and his physical strength was overstretched. Brian found a break, and his sword tip gathered a cloud of dark energy, pointing straight at Edmund. Black magic attached itself to the sword's blade and flew at him like an invisible viper. Not willing to show weakness, Edmund raised his sword to block, and the two swords clashed with a resounding bang. The black energy of the magic scattered in all directions at the moment of collision, hitting the ground like black sparks.
Edmund could not dodge and was struck violently by the power of darkness. The ruby instantly emitted an intense red light as if awakening a sleeping power. The violent impact caused Edmund to stagger and fall to the ground, a sharp stabbing pain coming from his chest. The awakening of the ruby brought about unforeseen consequences. His entire body collapsed to the ground as if his strength had been drained.
When Don saw Edmund was seriously injured, he instantly flew to Edmund's side to guard him. Don was furious, but Bryan's strength was far superior to his. He gave up the fight with Brian. Don quickly transformed into a silver wolf and put Edmund on his back. Don carried Edmund on his back and promptly ran wildly through the forest.
Seeing this, Brian immediately led the light cavalry in full force in pursuit, and it was as if the trees and thorns in the forest could not stop them. With his childhood memories, Don quickly found his way to the waterfall, his only hope.
"Dead end ahead!" Edmund said weakly as he opened his eyes, seeing a towering waterfall ahead with the loud sound of water.
"Trust me," Don gritted his teeth and leaped toward the waterfall without hesitation with Edmund on his back. The massive current instantly engulfed the two, and they fell into the bottomless water.