The Wernglenn Forest was alive with motion as Xyenn, the shadow assassins, and Nacht made their way toward the Delleren noble estate. The forest's golden trees seemed to blur past as they dashed through its ever-twisting terrain, the faint echoes of distant wind their only accompaniment. Each assassin moved with supernatural grace, their steps silent as shadows, their forms blending into the forest like phantoms. Nacht hovered above them all, his massive wings spread wide, his form shifting between corporeal and ethereal as if the very shadows of the forest were a part of him.
Xyenn sprinted just behind the group, his breathing steady as his boots struck the soft ground. He had no idea how he was keeping pace with the assassins' inhuman speed, but something within him—his raw determination or maybe his Jotyin blood—kept him right on their heels.
As they moved, Nacht's deep, resonant voice broke the silence. "Tell me, mortal," he began, his glowing violet eyes flickering as they glanced down at Xyenn, "why have you gained hostile intent toward me but not toward the assassins who, moments ago, were trying to kill you?"
Xyenn glanced up at the massive dragon god, his expression tight with concentration as he leapt over a fallen log. "Well…" he started, but his words were cut off by the sound of someone running right beside him.
An assassin, dressed in the same sleek black garb as the others, had pulled up alongside him. The assassin's voice, distorted and monotone like the rest, spoke suddenly: "The art of shadows is not simply the art of killing, you know."
Xyenn blinked, startled by the interruption. "Uh… what?"
The assassin didn't stop, keeping pace with Xyenn as they dashed through the forest. "Serving Nacht, the Dragon God of Shadows, is not simply about survival. It is an art, a way of life. The shadows are not merely tools—they are a philosophy, a purpose."
'Why is he telling me this randomly?! Can't he see I was in a conversation? I don't wanna be rude and tell him to be quiet, I'm not an assshole.'
Xyenn groaned internally, throwing a quick glance toward Nacht, who was still waiting for his answer. He opened his mouth to speak, but the assassin continued.
"Consider this," the assassin said, their voice calm and deliberate, "a shadow only exists because of light. Without light, there is no shadow, and without shadow, there is no contrast. We serve Nacht because he teaches us this balance. Darkness is not evil—it is clarity. A shadow does not lie, for it is the trues reflection of the object that casts it."
"Uh-huh," Xyenn muttered, his tone strained as he tried to focus on Nacht above. He raised a hand as if to signal to the assassin that he was busy, but the assassin ignored him entirely.
'If I keep answering in short worries, he'll definitely stop talking.'
"There is a saying among us," the assassin continued, clearly oblivious to Xyenn's growing irritation. 'In the light, one is blinded by what they wish to see. In the shadow, one sees all.'"
Xyenn's eyebrow twitched as he clenched his fists mid-sprint. He glanced at the assassin, giving a forced nod. "Wow. That's… super deep," he said through gritted teeth.
'I don't wanna be rude and tell him to be quiet! Why isn't Nacht stopping him?!'
He turned his attention back to Nacht, opening his mouth to finally respond, when the assassin spoke again.
"And another thing," the assassin said, gesturing with one gloved hand as they darted between trees, "to serve Nacht is to understand patience. The hunt is not won through brute force, but through precision and timing. Consider the proverb, 'A shadow moves not to chase, but to wait.'"
Xyenn inhaled sharply, his eye twitching now. He raised a hand to his temple, rubbing it furiously as he struggled to keep his composure. His pace faltered for a split second, and he stumbled over a root before catching himself.
"Uh-huh. Yeah. Amazing," Xyenn muttered, nodding robotically.
'This is interesting and all, but I really wanna talk to Nacht. U don't want them thinking I'm rude, I wanna stay in the assassins good side! After all, I always wanted to meet one. Tales of old have told me of the assassins who serve the shadows, no idea they were talking about Nacht being the shadow they served.'
The assassin tilted their head, clearly taking his sarcasm as genuine interest. "Truly, you would benefit from walking the path of the shadow. Nacht demands discipline, but in return, he offers clarity. Consider this—"
Xyenn spun his head toward the assassin, "That's cool, really. But can I talk to your god for a second? Please? I promise I'll get back to—."
The assassin paused, their head tilting slightly in confusion. "Ah," they said simply, falling back into the group of shadowy figures without another word.
Xyenn reached for him, instantly regretting what he said, thinking it hurt the assassins feelings, which it didn't.
"WAIT! I'M SORRY!"
'Shit! Now they hate me I bet.'
Xyenn groaned, dragging a hand down his face before glancing back up at Nacht. "Sorry about that," he muttered.
Nacht's glowing eyes flickered with faint amusement as he hovered above. "Your patience is commendable, but I am curious. Why do you harbor such hostility toward me and my kind?"
Xyenn's expression darkened as he leapt over another fallen log. "I hate all the dragon gods," he said bluntly. "Every single one I've met has either tried to kill me, destroy humanity, or throw their entire continent into chaos. You're all oppressive, power-hungry assholes who think the world exists to serve you. After everything I've been through, if you've been through the Hell I had to go through to be alive today, you would understand how I feel."
Nacht's wings flared slightly, his violet eyes narrowing. "A bold statement. Do you not hate them because you lack draconic mana? Because you were not 'blessed,' as others are?"
Xyenn shook his head. "I used to," he admitted. "Back when I thought I was just some powerless nobody. But I've learned a lot since then. Seen things…experienced things…" He went back to think about all his battles, Yuuna and the Tyrants, and even King Haldrek himself. "I know I'm a Jotyin or something like that, and I know I get stronger every time I fight. Hell, I don't even know what makes me stronger—whether it's the fights themselves or some weird biological quirk, my emotions maybe—but that doesn't matter. My anger toward the dragon gods isn't about me anymore. It's about what they really are. They're not gods—they're just cowards trying to escape the Cycle of Rebirth. Who knows? Maybe if it's for the best that they stay in this cycle, but if that means them destroying their own people for more worship..I'll be happy to take them down."
He glanced up at Nacht, his eyes sharp. "They want Yuuna's heart for that. Or they turn to Hell. Either way, they're dooming themselves. The ones who escape the Cycle, like the Sun-Drake, don't even get freedom—they just become the First Monarch's puppets once they die."
Nacht's gaze darkened. "You are not wrong," he said. "The elder dragon gods have sought me out before. They wished for me to join their rituals, to risk my soul for their schemes. I refused. They left me alone after that… but they turned to the Sun-Drake."
Xyenn frowned, his pace slowing slightly. "You knew the Sun-Drake?"
Nacht's voice grew quieter, almost contemplative. "Yes. We were… friends, once. The Sun and the Shadow are inseparable, after all. One cannot exist without the other. We shared a bond that few understood. But when he was reborn through the Quen woman, he became… something else. He forgot me entirely."
Xyenn's jaw tightened as memories of Salazar and Elma flooded his mind. He remembered the witch's regret, her broken body hanging from the rafters of her hut, and Salazar's twisted, monstrous form, a shadow construct that had nearly cost Xyenn his sanity to defeat. He clenched his fists, his eyes narrowing as he shook his head to clear the thoughts.
'Focus…Xyenn.' He thought to himself.
Nacht seemed to notice. "The elder dragon gods seek control over all things," he continued. "But I will not turn to Hell. I will not bind myself to their schemes. I value the connections I have made, the memories I carry. To die and be reborn, to lose everything that made me who I am… that is not a fate I will accept."
Xyenn exhaled, his expression softening slightly. "Yeah, I see it now," he said. "Why I'm hostile toward them. Bunch of assholes."
'Not a fate he will accept…'
The forest thinned as they reached a hilltop, giving them a clear view of the Delleren estate below. The massive mansion sprawled across the landscape like a fortress, its towering walls adorned with intricate carvings and gilded accents. The grounds were meticulously maintained, with lush gardens and marble fountains dotting the landscape. Rows of luxurious carriages lined the gravel paths, their occupants—rich slavers and greedy nobles—laughing and chatting as they filed into the mansion.
It was a scene of decadence and opulence, a stark contrast to the suffering they profited from.
Xyenn's jaw tightened as he watched the slavers enter the mansion. "Looks like something's about to go down," he muttered.
'Bastards…are they about to sell the babies? We can probably stop them before any deals go down! We're just in time!'
Nacht floated above the group, his wings spread wide as he spoke. "Shadows do not speak. They act. Remember this: 'The light blinds, but the shadow reveals.'"
The assassins knelt in unison, drawing intricate shadow runes into the ground. The runes glowed with black and purple flames, their flickering light illuminating the assassins' cloaked forms. One by one, they pressed the glowing runes to their chests, and their bodies began to shimmer like living shadows.
Xyenn watched, his eyes wide with amazement. "Okay," he whispered to himself, "that's actually pretty badass."
'I'm actually about to fight alongside assassins…I have to tell Yuuna and the others. I kinda miss everyone. That reminds me, how would Yuuna even react if I told her what was going on right? How would the others react? Ohhh you're off fighting by yourself again? Yeah Yuuna would try and strangle me, and Mertha would as well. Illyana would ask me 100 questions if I was okay, and Gorran would call me an idiot. Zyphira would tell me good job and punch me in the arms, Sethrak would call me a foolish weakling or something, Kivorn wouldn't even care honestly, Draeven would ask how it went and would call me a badass. And Quinara..don't even get me started on her. She would accuse me of pinning pregnant women to the wall. And Gridd, he'll probably tell me to be careful next time I go out alone. Damn, do I really miss everyone that bad? Why am I even thinking about this now? I've been so alone for years, and now I have an entire group of strong people who have my back and I have theirs. And Yuuna, who actually gives a shit about me and loves me. I have an entire child with her, That STILL surprises me. Man, I need to focus. Focus.'
The sky above the Delleren estate began to shift, the once dim light of the evening swallowed by encroaching darkness. The assassins, standing in perfect stillness on the hilltop with Xyenn and Nacht, began a synchronized series of movements. Their gestures were sharp and precise, their arms slicing through the air like blades as their fingers twisted into intricate patterns. Each motion left behind faint trails of black and purple light, sigils forming in the air around them in a language that felt ancient and forbidden.
The runes were jagged and angular, their edges glowing faintly before darkening into a pulsating void-like blackness. They seemed alive, shifting slightly as if breathing, the font of their design sharp and sinister, like talons etched into the fabric of reality. As the assassins continued their silent ritual, more runes appeared, forming a massive sigil in the sky that radiated with dark energy.
The forest below grew quiet, unnaturally so, as if even nature itself feared the magic being summoned. The sigil stretched across the heavens, casting the Delleren estate in shadow. The air turned heavy, and a faint hum resonated across the terrain, vibrating in Xyenn's chest.
The estate was now blanketed in a veil of darkness, the sky above swirling as if alive. Xyenn, standing at the edge of the cliff with the assassins, watched the display with a mix of amazement and unease.
Nacht, hovering just above the group, broke the silence with his deep, resonant voice. "The estate itself is no challenge to infiltrate," he explained. "The issue lies within. The door to where their wickedness is conducted—where their contracts are made and their atrocities committed—is heavily warded. It is not a mere door. It is a barrier of power."
Xyenn glanced up at him. "Why don't you just float in there and blow the damn door open?"
For a moment, it was silent. Then Nacht's glowing violet eyes narrowed slightly, his wings shifting as he gazed down at Xyenn. "Draconic deities do not intervene in matters that can be resolved by their disciples," he said, his voice calm but heavy with meaning. "It is not our purpose to fight every battle, to solve every problem. Worshippers must grow strong and courageous, capable of handling themselves even in adversity. If we did everything for them, they would remain weak, dependent, and fearful."
Xyenn rolled his eyes, turning his head away with an annoyed expression. He muttered under his breath, "He wants to kill me," before glancing back at Nacht with a quick side-eye.
Nacht's gaze, though steady and calm, radiated something deeper. The oppressive weight of his presence bore down on Xyenn like an unspoken threat, and for a fleeting moment, the faintest flicker of **hostile intent** burned behind the dragon god's glowing eyes. It was subtle but unmistakable, like a predator watching its prey. Even as Nacht tried to conceal it, the malice was too heavy to ignore.
Xyenn took a slow, deep breath, his thoughts racing. 'What if the assassins try to sneak attack me for Nacht?' He glanced at the assassins around him, scanning their movements, their postures, their gestures, but they gave nothing away. Their silence was impenetrable, their loyalty to Nacht absolute. The tension in the air was suffocating, but Xyenn forced himself to remain calm. 'For now, I'll use them to get inside,' he thought.
One of the assassins finally broke the silence, their monotone voice cutting through the heavy air. "Infiltrating with silence is best," they said. "A shadow strikes when unseen. To reveal oneself prematurely is to invite failure."
Another assassin spoke immediately after, their tone identical. "But once we reach the main door, silence will no longer serve us. It will get loud. The wards will resist, and they will call upon their knights and their sorcery. Stealth first. Then force."
Xyenn smirked, ready to boast about how his strength would make short work of anyone who got in their way. He opened his mouth, but the words caught in his throat. He closed his mouth, the grin fading as he forced himself to swallow his arrogance.
'I'm strong, but not invincible,' he thought. 'Don't be that guy. You're better than that now.' He clenched his fists, a faint pang of guilt flickering in his chest. "Forgive me," he told himself silently.
'I let myself down for a second there. I got power yeah, but I can't let it get to my head.'
Nacht, floating above, seemed to notice the shift in Xyenn's demeanor. His glowing eyes gleamed faintly, but he said nothing.
Xyenn cleared his throat and broke the silence. "How do you even know there's a door in there?" he asked, glancing at the assassins. "Have you been inside?"
One of the assassins stepped forward, their black-clad form blending with the darkness. "Our magic allows us to travel through shadows," they replied. "We have slipped into the estate before. But the door… it is unlike anything else. The magic surrounding it is ancient and powerful. It cannot be bypassed. Only brute force or overwhelming magic can break it."
Xyenn nodded slowly, absorbing the information. "What kind of magic are we talking about?"
The assassin shook their head. "We do not know. It is beyond our understanding."
Xyenn sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Great. Love a good mystery door."
The group crouched low, peering down at the estate below. The Delleren mansion was a sprawling monstrosity of wealth and arrogance, its towering walls adorned with ornate carvings depicting scenes of conquest and power. The estate's grounds stretched far and wide, with perfectly manicured gardens, marble statues, and massive fountains that glittered in the faint light.
The mansion itself was enormous, its architecture an oppressive blend of gothic and imperial styles. Tall spires jutted into the sky, their edges sharp and jagged, while thick iron gates surrounded the property, their bars adorned with intricate designs of serpents and chains.
Groups of nobles, slavers, and merchants moved toward the mansion's entrance, their laughter and chatter echoing faintly across the grounds. They were dressed in luxurious finery, their faces smug and self-satisfied as they carried crates and bags of unknown goods into the house.
"It looks like something's about to begin," Xyenn muttered, his eyes narrowing.
Nacht's voice rumbled softly above them. "Shadows do not speak. They act."
The assassins knelt again, drawing fresh shadow runes into the dirt. The runes glowed faintly with black and purple flames, their light dancing across the assassins' cloaked forms. One by one, the assassins pressed their hands to their chests, where the runes sank into their bodies. Their forms shimmered, becoming darker, their edges blurring as if they were melting into the shadows themselves.
Nacht, speaking in draconic tongue, gave a single command. The assassins moved as one, leaping off the cliff's edge. Their bodies evaporated into streams of shadow, streaking toward the estate with impossible speed.
Xyenn stepped to the edge of the cliff, glancing back at Nacht. The dragon god's gaze was steady, but Xyenn could still feel the weight of his earlier words.
"The Cycle of Rebirth… relationships… what they mean to me…"
Xyenn's eyes darkened.
He knows.
Nacht hadn't said it outright, but Xyenn could piece it together. Escaping the Cycle without being bound to Hell could only mean one thing: Yuuna's heart.
'He wants it,' Xyenn thought, his fists clenching at his sides. He's trying to play it cool, but he wants it. I know he has a plan involving me to get to Yuuna. I just know it.'
He hesitated, battling with himself. Should he confront Nacht now? End it before it could begin? Or should he wait, play along until the Delleren family was dealt with?
His gaze flicked to the mansion below. "Focus on the mission," he told himself. "The Delleren family comes first."
'Don't wanna startle them and have them running all over the place and summing shit before I can even do anything.'
With one last glance at Nacht, Xyenn leapt off the cliff, his body diving into the shadows below.
The Delleren estate was silent now, the thick tension of the night pressing down on its grounds like a suffocating shroud. The torches carried by the knights patrolling the perimeter flickered weakly against the unnatural shadows cast by the sky, which still churned with the black and purple sigils the assassins had summoned. The knights, uneasy and restless, adjusted their grips on their weapons, their eyes scanning the darkness with a creeping dread they couldn't explain. They weren't wrong to fear what was coming.
The assassins moved like wraiths, slipping through the estate's shadows, their forms indistinguishable from the darkness. They were silent, their presence betrayed only by brief glimpses of glowing red eyes that flared like embers in the void before disappearing again. Their kills were works of art, precise and brutal, each one different from the last.
One assassin stalked a knight pacing near a stable. The man had his hand on the hilt of his sword, his eyes darting nervously as though he could feel something watching him. He paused under the overhang of the stable roof, his back to a beam of moonlight that managed to pierce the swirling sky above. That beam of light shifted unnaturally, and before the knight could react, it bent into a jagged shadow that curled around his neck like a noose. The shadow tightened, lifting the man off his feet as he dropped his sword and clawed at his throat. The assassin emerged from the beam of light itself, their dagger slicing cleanly across the knight's exposed neck before vanishing with the body into the darkness.
Near the fountain in the courtyard, three knights stood together, their voices hushed as they discussed the strange darkness that had overtaken the estate. Shadows danced unnaturally across the water's surface, and one of the knights leaned forward to inspect the rippling reflection. His own shadow rose from the fountain, solidifying into the shape of an assassin behind him. A blade of pure shadow materialized in the assassin's hand, slicing upward through the knight's chest in a single, fluid motion. Before the other two could react, two more assassins emerged from the fountain itself, their glowing red eyes the only warning before they struck. One drove their dagger into a knight's side, while the other slit the throat of the final guard. The assassins moved with perfect synchronization, their kills happening so quickly and silently that the fountain's water barely rippled beneath them.
Further along the estate's outer garden, another knight patrolled a path lined with tall hedges and marble statues. He paused, his torchlight revealing the intricate carving on a statue of a woman holding a flowing banner. As he turned to continue his patrol, the statue's shadow twisted unnaturally, detaching itself from the marble and wrapping around the knight's legs. He fell to the ground with a muffled grunt, and the shadow dragged him backward into the hedge. On the other side, two assassins waited, their glowing red eyes watching as the knight was pulled into their grasp. One pressed a hand to his mouth, silencing him, while the other plunged a dagger into his heart.
By the time Xyenn reached the estate's central courtyard, the knight patrols had been reduced to lifeless bodies hidden in the shadows. He moved carefully, his eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of movement, though the assassins had already cleared the way. His gaze fell on the main door of the mansion—a behemoth of dark wood reinforced with thick iron bands, carved with elaborate designs of chains and serpents. The runes etched into the surface glowed faintly, pulsing with a strange, ominous light. For a moment, Xyenn simply stared at the door, his mind racing.
He thought about the horrors that lay on the other side—the Delleren family's atrocities, their deals with demons, and the countless innocent lives they had destroyed. His fists clenched at his sides, his breathing steady as he prepared himself for what was to come. This was no ordinary door. He could feel the power radiating from it, a barrier of magic designed to keep out anyone who dared to oppose the family's wickedness. He wasn't sure if he could break it, but he knew he had to try.
Behind him, the assassins landed without a sound, their glowing red eyes cutting through the darkness as they stood in formation. Their presence was unnerving, even for Xyenn, but he didn't flinch. He could feel their eyes on him, watching, waiting to see what he would do.
As he stepped closer to the door, a strange energy began to surge through him. His body tensed as a sharp, burning sensation shot through his skull. He winced, reaching up instinctively as a black horn began to grow from the side of his head, jagged and twisted like a blade. A swirling aura of black and sunlit gol erupted around him, interwoven with streaks of dark pink energy that crackled like lightning. One of his eyes turned a deep, glowing pink, while the other became pitch black, the colors clashing in a way that felt both chaotic and balanced.
The ground beneath him cracked and splintered under the weight of his power, the air around him growing heavy as his aura expanded outward in violent waves. Wind howled through the courtyard, whipping his cloak and hair as the assassins remained motionless, their glowing red eyes fixed on him.
One of the assassins finally spoke, their voice monotone yet curious. "Are you a hero? Do you allow power to stay where it belongs?"
Xyenn glanced back at them, his expression unreadable as the wind whipped around him. "I… don't know what that means," he admitted, his voice steady despite the chaos surrounding him. He looked back at the door, his jaw tightening. "But I'm not some goody-goody hero. I've killed before. Heroes don't usually kill first, but I have. And yeah, I'm here to avenge that baby's soul and stop these bastards from profiting off kids. But I'm no hero. I'm more like… an avenger."
He paused, the swirling energy around him intensifying. "But I'm no monster either. And I plan to keep it that way."
'Why did he ask me that…?'
He thought about King Haldrek, the topic of monsters always reminded Xyenn of Haldrek. A memory he hated having.
The assassin said nothing, their glowing red eyes flickering faintly before they fell silent again.
Xyenn turned back to the door, his body radiating power as he cocked his fist back. His aura flared brighter, the wind howling louder as the ground beneath him cracked further. Letting out a deafening battle cry, he drove his fist forward with all his might, the force of the blow sending a massive shockwave rippling through the courtyard.
The door exploded inward, the runes shattering like glass as the thick wood and iron were obliterated. Splinters and shards of metal flew in all directions, and a cloud of smoke and debris billowed into the corridor beyond. Xyenn stood at the threshold, his dark sun sword forming in his hand—a blade of pure, flaming energy that burned with an intense, otherworldly heat.
As the smoke began to clear, Xyenn stepped forward, the assassins flanking him as they moved through the destruction. Their glowing red eyes pierced the haze, their silent forms blending seamlessly with the darkness. Xyenn raised his sword slightly, his voice calm but commanding. "Now—"
He stopped mid-sentence, his eyes widening in shock as the scene before him came into focus.
Through the lingering smoke, he saw dozens upon dozens of people, their naked, sweaty bodies writhing in a massive, grotesque orgy. The sound of moans and cries filled the air, the stench of sweat and lust nearly overwhelming. The room was packed with bodies, their movements chaotic and frenzied, oblivious to the destruction that had just occurred.
Xyenn froze, his jaw dropping. "What the hell?!"
The air was thick with heady perfumes and the sounds of passion as Xyenn entered the massive chamber. Bodies writhed together in various stages of ecstasy - women straddling men's laps, others bent over furniture, some pressed against walls. His breath caught at the intense display before him.
Xyenn felt his face flush hot as he tried to maintain focus. His eyes kept being drawn to the erotic scenes - a woman's back arching as she rode her partner with wild abandon, another crying out as she was lifted and pinned against a pillar. He shook his head, forcing himself to remember his mission. The sights and sounds threatened to overwhelm his senses.
Deeper in the chamber, a group had formed around a large cushioned platform. Three women shared one man, taking turns mounting him while pleasuring each other. Nearby, a woman balanced between two men as they moved in perfect rhythm. Xyenn's hands trembled slightly as he walked past, his resolve wavering. The raw passion was intoxicating, but he couldn't let himself get distracted.
Taking several deep breaths, Xyenn centered himself. He was here for a purpose, not pleasure. Still, his eyes were drawn to a particularly vocal coupling - a woman thrown over a man's shoulder as he stood, her cries of delight echoing off the stone walls. Another had her legs wrapped around her partner's waist as he drove her against a tapestry-covered wall. The heady atmosphere was a constant assault on Xyenn's determination.
Through sheer willpower, Xyenn tries to steel his nerves and push aside his body's natural response to the carnal display. He forced himself to focus on scanning the room methodically for anyone that looked like the leader, ignoring the passionate scenes playing out in his peripheral vision. The sounds of pleasure continued to fill the air - skin against skin, kissing, slurping, breathless moans, and cries of ecstasy - but Xyenn had found his center. He moved with purpose now, his mission foremost in his mind despite the provocative distractions surrounding him.
The cavernous hall of the Delleren estate was filled with a suffocating tension as Xyenn stood frozen at the threshold, his eyes darting across the grotesque scene before him. The moans, cries, and wet sounds of flesh colliding rose to a deafening crescendo, echoing off the stone walls. His head throbbed as the sight and sound assaulted his senses. He could feel his pulse pounding in his ears, the heat of the room clinging to his skin like a suffocating fog.
He dragged a hand down his face, gritting his teeth, trying to fight the intrusive thoughts flooding his mind. "Stay focused," he told himself, clenching his fists so hard his knuckles turned white. But he was only 19, and the obscene debauchery before him was weighing on him like a lead weight. His body stiffened as his mind betrayed him, flashing images of Yuuna—the memories of their intimacy, the way her touch lingered on his skin. He shook his head violently, muttering "No… no… stay focused," under his breath.
'This is bad…!m
The assassins, however, stood like silent sentinels, their glowing red eyes unflinching as they remained hidden in the shadows. They did not falter, their discipline unbroken, even as the corrupt magic in the room pulsed like a living heartbeat, growing stronger with every second.
Xyenn forced himself to look ahead, past the writhing bodies, and toward the far end of the room. There, seated on four massive thrones carved from obsidian and adorned with golden chains, sat the Delleren family's heads. Their presence was unmistakable—their auras oppressive, their appearances otherworldly, each of them radiating a vile, twisted elegance.
The eldest of the four, Malvyr Delleren, sat on the far-left throne with his legs crossed, his dark, predatory eyes surveying the room with a sadistic amusement. His hair was long and jet black, tied loosely behind his head, and streaked with silver strands that shimmered faintly in the dim light. He wore a crimson coat embroidered with intricate gold patterns, his chest bare underneath, revealing pale, scarred skin adorned with dozens of glowing runic tattoos. A single golden chain dangled from his right ear, its end attached to a small, blood-red gem. His fingers tapped lazily against the armrest of his throne, each adorned with thick, claw-like rings.
Beside him sat Ceryna Delleren, a woman with an unnervingly calm demeanor that belied the malice in her icy blue eyes. Her silver hair flowed around her shoulders in perfect, silky waves, streaked with faint lines of gold that glimmered like molten metal. She wore a tight, high-collared dress of deep violet leather, its surface etched with ancient symbols of lust and power. Around her neck was a choker of black iron, the centerpiece a glowing red crystal pulsating faintly with magic. Her lips quirked into a cruel smile as her hand gently traced the edge of a long, curved dagger resting on her lap.
To her right was Thalric Delleren, a towering man with broad shoulders and a hulking frame. His face was angular, his jawline sharp, and his skin unnaturally smooth, almost waxy, as if he were a living mannequin. His bald head gleamed under the faint light, and his glowing orange eyes burned with an intensity that made it hard to look directly at him. He wore an open black cloak lined with fur, his muscular chest covered in scars shaped like claw marks. Around his waist was a belt of interwoven human teeth, and a massive greataxe rested against his throne, its blade dripping with a faint, viscous black liquid.
The last throne was occupied by Nysha Delleren, a woman who exuded an aura of pure, unrestrained hedonism. Her long, blood-red hair cascaded down her back in thick curls, shimmering like liquid fire. Her body was draped in a flowing translucent gown of black silk that clung to her curves, leaving very little to the imagination. Golden accessories adorned her wrists, ankles, and neck, each one engraved with runes of desire and control. Her crimson lips parted in a sultry smile as she leaned forward, her glowing violet eyes locked onto Xyenn.
Nysha was the first to speak, her voice dripping with mockery. "Oh my, it seems more have joined the party," she purred, rising gracefully from her throne. She lifted a hand, her fingers glowing faintly with magic, and the moans in the room grew louder, the writhing bodies moving faster, their cries of pleasure becoming almost animalistic.
Xyenn gritted his teeth, shaking his head violently as images of Yuuna flooded his thoughts again. His body moved forward, walking like a zombie, his sword dragging along the floor as his footsteps echoed in the hall.
The assassins, meanwhile, remained hidden, slipping through the shadows like wraiths. They moved silently, their glowing red eyes watching from the darkness as Xyenn advanced toward the thrones.
Nysha's lips curled into a triumphant smile as she watched him approach. "Oh, what a rare specimen you are," she said, her voice dripping with lust. "That hair… those eyes... such a unique combination. You'll breed beautiful children." She glanced back at her siblings, who nodded in agreement, their expressions twisted with delight.
Malvyr chuckled darkly. "We threw out the ugly ones just yesterday. Perhaps this one will make up for the loss."
Ceryna leaned forward, her cold gaze fixed on Xyenn. "That rare hair and those eyes… He'll make a fine addition to our collection. Mixed black and grey hair, red eyes..you're perfect."
Nysha stepped down from her throne, her movements slow and deliberate. She reached out a hand, her fingertips brushing against his cheek as she leaned in, her lips parting as she moved to kiss him.
But as her face drew closer, Xyenn's body moved like a whip crack, his free hand gripping the hilt of his sword as he drove it forward with brutal force. The blade pierced through Nysha's chest, the dark sun energy radiating from the weapon burning through her flesh.
Nysha let out a choking gasp, blood spilling from her lips and splattering across Xyenn's face as her siblings watched in stunned silence. The room fell deathly quiet as the writhing bodies froze, the moans and cries of pleasure ceasing all at once.
From the shadows, one of Nacht's assassins whispered, "Impossible… Nacht guaranteed he would fall for this…"
Xyenn glared at Nysha, his voice dripping with venom. "I won't fall for it…"
He ripped the blade from her chest, the sound of tearing flesh echoing in the hall as Nysha collapsed to the floor, her lifeless body sprawled at his feet.
The remaining Delleren siblings staggered back, their faces pale with fear. Malvyr's voice trembled as he hissed, "You dare?! Who do you think you are?!"
Xyenn raised his sword, its dark sun energy flaring brightly. "I'm the guy who came to stop you," he growled. "No wonder you idiots weren't scared when the door blasted open. You thought you could control me?"
'What I felt back there, it wasn't their magic. I was actually almost overcome by my own thoughts..looking at everything that happened in here…'
The siblings screamed in unison, their voices filled with rage and desperation. "You won't ruin everything! We've finally made it to Jörvaldr! The city of dreams and nightmares!"
They threw their heads back, their mouths opening impossibly wide as they screamed the name of their demon patron. "Hathrakkal!"
Xyenn gasped and he felt even a scent of darkness from that name alone.
A demon's name.
Hellfire erupted from their mouths, consuming their bodies in an instant. The flames twisted and coiled, ripping through the hall as their flesh melted away, their bones cracking and reforming. The ground trembled as the flames grew larger, the ceiling of the hall shattering and exploding upward, exposing the dark, swirling sky above.
From the inferno emerged a massive, grotesque demon, its body a sickening amalgamation of flesh and insect. Its centipede-like form stretched across the hall, its segmented body covered in jagged, blackened carapace streaked with veins of glowing red. The demon's head was a horrific blank human face, pale and featureless save for faintly glowing cracks that ran across its surface like spiderwebs. Surrounding the blank face were smaller, grotesque versions of the Delleren siblings' faces, their mouths contorted into eternal screams.
Its many legs, each sharp and serrated like scythes, clicked against the ground as its massive body coiled and uncoiled. Its presence was suffocating, the air thick with the stench of burning flesh and sulfur.
The demon's voice was a low, guttural growl that shook the very earth. "Ahh… the First Monarch's favorite soon-to-be puppet. Xyenn."
Xyenn's eyes darkened as he tightened his grip on his sword, his aura flaring brighter. "Bring it on, damn freak!"
The grotesque, centipede-like demon loomed over the shattered remains of the Delleren estate, its massive body writhing and undulating as its grotesque, blank human face stared down at Xyenn. The smaller, screaming faces of the Delleren family members were embedded grotesquely around its head, their mouths contorted in eternal agony. The demon's voice was a guttural growl that seemed to reverberate across the estate's ruined halls.
"Ahhh, the First Monarch's favorite soon-to-be puppet," it hissed, its massive form twisting as the demonic energy around it crackled like fire.
Xyenn gripped his dark sun sword tightly, his body still radiating his dual-colored aura of black and sunlit gold, streaked with the chaotic dark pink energy. His horn throbbed with power, and his mismatched eyes—one a deep, glowing pink and the other pitch black—narrowed as he prepared to strike. The swirling sky above, still shrouded in the shadowy barrier created by Nacht's assassins, churned ominously, casting a dim, unnatural light over the battlefield.
But as Xyenn took a step forward, his instincts screamed at him. He felt the faintest ripple in the air behind him, and his heart dropped. 'The assassins…'
From the shadows, the assassins of Nacht began to rise, their glowing red eyes piercing through the darkness as they prepared to ambush Xyenn. Their movements were silent, their shadowy forms blending seamlessly with the environment. Xyenn cursed under his breath, gripping his sword tighter as he prepared for the betrayal he had anticipated from the start.
But before the assassins could strike, a bright, radiant light pierced through the darkness, slamming into the ground between Xyenn and the assassins. The blinding brilliance forced the assassins back into the shadows, their glowing red eyes flickering as they
hissed in frustration.
"Who the—?!" Xyenn exclaimed.
From above, three figures descended like divine meteors, their presence shocking and overwhelming.
The first to land was Vektor, his body radiating a fierce, unrelenting light that seemed to burn away the surrounding shadows. His frame was clad in white and gold armor that shimmered with every movement, and a long, flowing cape of light trailed behind him, glowing with an intensity that seemed almost alive.
Beside him landed Faera, her descent graceful and serene, as if she were weightless. Her eyes calm and piercing, holding a quiet wisdom that was both comforting and unsettling. She wore a flowing white robe embroidered with intricate golden patterns, her bare feet glowing faintly as she hovered just above the ground. In her hands, she held a bright lantern, its white light pulsating gently as it cast a soothing glow over the battlefield.
The last to land was Klem, the battle hardened stoic lion humanoid, who hit the ground with an audible crash, sending cracks splintering through the stone beneath him. His massive, lion-like frame was covered in heavy, silver-plated armor that barely contained his rippling muscles. His thick, bright white mane framed his fierce, beast-like face, and his glowing m eyes burned with an untamed battle hunger. Slung across his back was his signature eight-sided axe, its massive, jagged blades glowing with white flames. Each side of the axe was connected to a glowing chain that rattled faintly as he moved.
Xyenn's jaw tightened as he recognized the first two figures immediately. "Vektor? Faera?" he muttered, his voice tinged with both surprise and relief. He glanced at the towering lion figure and furrowed his brow. "And… you must be Klem. And why are you guys here
Klem's sharp, toothy grin stretched wide as he let out a booming laugh. "Xyenn! So you're the kid they won't shut up about! Damn, Yuuna never shuts up about you. She's always 'Xyenn this, Xyenn that.' I had to come see what all the hype was about!"
'God he reminds me of Mertha.' Xyenn thought as his eye twitched.
Xyenn couldn't help but chuckle, a genuine laugh escaping him despite the situation. "She actually misses me?" he asked, his voice softening for a moment. "Not surprised. I miss her right now, I need a hug from her."
Vektor groaned, his eyes narrowing as he turned to Klem. "Klem, focus! This is not the time for your ridiculous banter. You've been like this since we've followed him. "
Klem snorted, clearly unfazed. "Lighten up, Vektor. The kid's been dancing around here like an Owlgrudd in heat. Can't blame me for finding it funny."
Xyenn's face flushed with embarrassment. "I-I wasn't dancing!" he snapped, his voice cracking slightly as he glared at Klem. "Your buddy Vektor told me to do it!"
Klem grinned wider. "Sure you weren't, kid. Sure you weren't."
Faera, floating serenely, placed a gentle hand on Xyenn's shoulder, her touch immediately calming him. "Don't let him get to you, Xyenn. Klem teases everyone. You did well holding your ground here. We've been watching."
Vektor crossed his arms, his cape of light shifting faintly behind him. "We followed you here. We knew a demon was involved, but we lacked a clear way in. You were the key, Xyenn. Having the power to brute force your way in was brutish, but quick.
Xyenn sighed, running a hand through his messy black and grey hair. "Figures. Well, you're here now, so let's deal with this thing. And Nacht. That dragon god of shadows or whatever."
Faera tilted her head slightly, her calm expression faltering. "What about Nacht? Why are you so concerned with him?"
Xyenn's expression darkened as he glanced up at the swirling shadow-covered sky. "Because I know he's planning to kill me. From the start, he's been playing me."
He began to explain, his tone cold and measured. "First, he kept talking about the Cycle of Rebirth, how he values relationships and friendships with the other dragon gods. But he admitted that if he dies, it doesn't matter because he wouldn't have his past memories. That's a red flag right there. He doesn't want to die and be reborn without any memory of the bonds he made."
He gestured to the sky. "Second, the assassins put that shadow barrier up. Sure, it was useful for distracting the guards, but it's more than that. Shadows are their weapon. They're going to use it against me somehow."
Finally, he clenched his fists, his mismatched eyes glowing faintly. "And third, Nacht thought he could manipulate me because I'm 19, thinking I'd fall for the lust magic in this room. I almost did, but it wasn't the magic—it was just the… the desires themselves, clawing at my head. He underestimated me."
'As I mentioned, I went years without any physical romance, so I was almost caught up today. Almost…'
Xyenn exhaled sharply, his voice steady. "I know he wants to use my body to get close to Yuuna. He and his assassins are masters of stealth. They'd kill me, use my body as a disguise, and take Yuuna's heart. I can't let that happen."
Vektor asked, "What makes you think he has that power?"
"He has to have that or something similar to it. The art of stealth lies within espionage, and even disguise and concealing one's self. The literal god of shadows has something similar. I guarantee he does."
Klem laughed, "Haha! I like this youngling. He has a sharp mind."
Vektor thought, 'He's definitely been through a lot. It's not surprising he is able to decipher things down to the core.'
The demon suddenly let out a deafening roar, the ground shaking violently as its massive form twisted and writhed. Its blank, human face turned toward the clerics, its many limbs scuttling forward with horrifying speed.
"It sees the light," Faera murmured, her voice calm but wary. "The stronger demons don't run from it. They run toward it, to snuff it out."
Hathrakka snarled, "Clericssss..huh? Carrying that same light magic as that king who fought one of our Monarchs many heads ago…it's disgusting. I'll definitely be rewarded for taking your souls by force!"
Vektor's eyes narrowed as he drew his weapon: a radiant blanket of pure light, its edges glowing with an intense brilliance that seemed to hum with power. "We'll take care of the demon," he said sharply, glancing at Xyenn. "You deal with Nacht."
Klem let out a booming laugh as he hefted his massive eight-sided axe, the flaming chains rattling ominously. "Let's go, little guy!" he shouted, darting toward the demon with surprising speed for someone his size.
Vektor replied, "Little guy..?! I am older than you—!"
"Focus, Vektor! Demons are here!" Klem grinned.
"Tch!" He waved dismissively as he charged.
The demon lunged forward, its massive form barreling toward the group. Klem and Vektor collided with it head-on, their combined force sending all three of them crashing through the shattered walls of the estate and out into the open courtyard. The impact caused many of the nobles and slavers to be crushed immediately, bodies being ripped apart and bashed into walls as blood sprayed into the air like a rock falling into water, screams howled from them as some tried to run.
The impact sent debris flying in all directions, and as the dust settled, Klem and Vektor were already darting around the demon with incredible speed. Klem's axe whirled in deadly arcs, the glowing chains extending and wrapping around the demon's limbs as he slashed and tore at its carapace.
Vektor, meanwhile, moved with precision, his glowing blanket of light slicing through the demon's writhing body like a blade. The two of them worked in perfect sync, dodging the demon's massive, clawed limbs and retaliating with devastating blows.
Above them, Faera floated serenely on a cloud of light, her lantern glowing brightly as she held it aloft. A soft, white light radiated from the lantern, enveloping Xyenn, Klem, and Vektor in shields of pure energy. Her lips moved silently as she chanted a prayer of light, her voice steady and serene despite the chaos below.
As the demon roared and began to grow even larger, its grotesque, blank face twisting with hatred, the clerics stood their ground, their lights burning brighter against the encroaching darkness.