29: Lyra and Xandros
Few hours ago
Riven stood at the forest's edge, surrounded by an imposing army. 500 soldiers, clad in dark armor, formed a sea of steel and shadows. The air was heavy with anticipation.
To Riven's right stood Korvus, commander of the Dark Knights, his black armor a symbol of his unyielding loyalty.
Before them, a winding path disappeared into the forest's depths.
"Lord Ravenswood's guest will arrive soon," Riven said, his scarlet eyes scanning the horizon. "Ensure everyone is prepared."
Korvus nodded, his deep voice carrying across the ranks. "All units, stand ready. We will not disappoint Lord Ravenswood."
The soldiers stiffened, their eyes fixed on the path, awaiting the signal to move.
Suddenly, a faint rumbling sound echoed through the forest, growing louder.
Riven's gaze lingered on the horizon, his scarlet eyes narrowing. Suddenly, he uttered, "You're welcome."
The Dark Knights exchanged puzzled glances. "Who are you talking to, sir?" Korvus asked.
Riven's smile hinted at a secret. "No one, yet."
As if summoned by his words, a cloaked figure materialized beside Riven. The air seemed to ripple, as if reality itself had bent to accommodate the figure's presence.
"Impressive, Riven," Lyra, the Shadow Weaver, said, her voice dripping with mystery. "Few can detect my presence. No wonder you serve as Lord Ravenswood's right hand."
Riven bowed slightly, his smile widening. "Thank you, Lyra. Your praise is an honor."
Lyra pushed back her hood, revealing raven-black hair and piercing emerald eyes. Her gaze sparkled with approval.
"You've greatly improved compared to the last time we met"
"Your instincts have become unmatched, Riven. I've witnessed few with such refined senses." Lyra praised.
Korvus and the Dark Knights watched, awed by the sudden appearance of the notorious Shadow Weaver.
"Thanks for coming, Lord Ravenswood promises to reward you handsomely after all this is done .
Lyra's gaze swept the assembled army. "Yeah I'm in, as much as the deal is still on then I'll assist you, I've always hated their guts anyway". She spoke, her tone evident with irritation and grudge when talking about the silver family.
Riven's eyes gleamed with anticipation. "Then, let us begin."
"But wait a second", Riven's gaze lingered on Lyra. "You and Xandros usually move in tandem. Where is he?"
Lyra's smile hinted at a dark secret. "Awaiting my signal, Riven. He's... eager to unleash his legions."
As if summoned by Lyra's words, the air rippled and distorted, like reality itself was being torn apart. A towering figure emerged from the shadows.
Xandros, the Devourer, stood before them, his presence radiating an aura of malevolent power.
His eyes burned with an otherworldly qenergy, and his dark hair seemed to writhe like living tendrils.
"Ah, Riven," Xandros said, his deep voice like thunder. "I see Lyra has arrived. Our little reunion is complete."
Korvus and the Dark Knights stepped back, uneasy beneath Xandros's gaze.
Riven, however, grinned. "With Lyra's necromancy and your legions, Xandros, we should have a chance against the Silver family."
Xandros's grin twisted, revealing razor-sharp teeth. "My Devouring Horde will feast on their souls. The Silver Family is sure to fall this time, and our true power will be unleashed."
Lyra's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Let us begin. The night of reckoning has arrived."
Lyra, the Shadow Weaver, stood beside Xandros, her dark presence commanding attention. As a Grand Necromancer of the fifth rank, she controlled an army of undead minions.
With a thought, she summoned skeletal warriors, ghouls, and wraiths. Her expertise also included lich guardians, powerful undead sorcerers, and phantoms—shadowy entities born from darkness.
In the world of Elyon, everyone is categorized in ranks , this includes knights, mages, and adventurers alike.and their strength is justified by each rank . This also means that each rank is stronger than the other.
For example, if a Rank one Knight should face a Rank two knight, it is obvious who will come on top. The fight will only end in a matter of seconds.
But for some reason, everyone are only capable for reaching a certain rank and after said rank they won't be able to progress anymore. Everyone called this a Rank cap .
This is where talent comes into play. Average people can only manage to reach a Rank 3 or four with adequate hard work in their lifetime, anything beyond that is only pure talent.
However, Both Lyra and Xandros are both Fifth rank Grand Mages at their youth. One could see how talented they both were , and this talented mages are now trying to destroy the Silver family that is also hailed as a family who produced geniuses.
Even their patriarch was a Mage warrior of the sixth rank and he was still in his early thirties, one could see how talented he was .
While Xandros was a grand summoner, Lyra was a Grand Necromancer.
They both worked as a team for a considerable amount of time and were formidable.
Xandros while capable of summoning beasts that serve and fight for him with each beasts being the same rank as he is . He was also an adept in close combat, compensating his weaknesses as a summoner.
Lyra on the other hand was a Necromancer, she's also able to summon Dead beings that are same rank as her, her summons ranged from skeleton knights to undead sorcerers that she extracted from their grave .
Even recently she had gained a technique that allows her to multiply her army into a hundred or more.
While they were busy strategizing Riven told them all the information he had gathered, and how they are going to carry out their plan.
"And don't forget that our objective is to capture the starlight mage and any other valuable test subject" Riven concluded
He then faced Xandros and Lyra, "I think you both know what's next" .
"Yeah let's begin then", Lyra said
Riven and Lyra stepped back, their eyes fixed on Xandros.
Before him, the air shimmered as a colossal magical circle materialized. Layers of intricate, swirling patterns danced within, pulsing with magical power.
The ground trembled as Xandros finished his incantation. The magical circle erupted in a blaze of light, and the first wave of summoned beasts burst forth.
Wolves with glowing eyes and razor-sharp claws emerged from the circle's depths. Bears, their fur shimmering with mystical energy, stood on hind legs, ready to charge. Panthers, their coats rippling with dark magic, prowled the edges of the circle.
The magical circle's layers revealed more summons: giant spiders, their legs skittering with unnatural speed; spectral hounds, their howls echoing through the night; and shadowy stalkers, their forms blurring as they moved.
Lyra's eyes gleamed with approval "Its okay Xandros, they should be enough"
After having given his orders to them, He commanded,
"Attack" !!!
Roar !! The monsters roared in approval as they started pursuing their goal, causing different earthquakes in the process. They all rushed to the eastern part of the Silver Mansion.
Riven looked a them, his lips curled into a smile brimming with pure malice as he thought,
"Now then, let's test the waters shall we'.
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A/N
(sigh) Finally updating my novel, I'm really sorry for not updating for the past few days but I've been busy doing things I'll rather not talk about. Anyways I'll try and make it up to you guys by updating new chapters daily. All thanks to my loyal readers who supplied me with power stones too thanks.