Chereads / Bloodline of the damned / Chapter 128 - Chapter 129: Sparring of shadows and steel

Chapter 128 - Chapter 129: Sparring of shadows and steel

The **Obsidian Estate** was quiet under the pale light of the moon, the atmosphere thick with anticipation. Noah Alcric stood in the center of the training grounds, his eyes reflecting the distant glow of the stars. Before him stood two of his most trusted subordinates, **Vorrik** the **Ironclaw Berserker**, and **Kaela** the **Twilight Huntress**. Both were fierce warriors in their own right, but tonight, they would face the full extent of Noah's abilities.

Vorrik, a towering beaskin with lupine features, cracked his knuckles as he stepped forward, his muscles rippling with power. His **Ironclaw Berserker** class granted him unmatched strength, his claws able to tear through armor and flesh alike. His bloodline, a mixture of beast and man, granted him a resistance to physical and elemental damage, making him a fearsome opponent in close combat.

On the other side of the arena, Kaela, the **Twilight Huntress**, a lithe feline beaskin, flowed like a shadow, her every movement precise and fluid. With her **Twilight Huntress** class, she was a master of stealth, able to meld with the shadows, and strike like a phantom. Her agility and speed were unmatched, and her ability to blend into the darkness made her a deadly assassin.

Noah, in contrast, stood perfectly still, his crimson eyes glowing faintly in the moonlight. His **Primordial Vampire** bloodline surged through his veins, and the power of his **Night Conqueror** class was a force unto itself. His presence exuded an aura of command, one that seemed to bend the shadows around him. The shadows stirred at his feet as if awaiting his command, and the air itself seemed to grow heavier.

"Are you ready?" Noah's voice was calm, almost serene, but there was an underlying threat in his tone. His eyes flicked between the two, sizing them up.

Vorrik let out a low growl, a feral gleam in his eyes, while Kaela remained still, her eyes narrowed and focused. She had already vanished into the shadows, her body blending with the night.

Noah's lips curled into a faint smile as he raised his hand. "Then come."

---

Without warning, Kaela emerged from the darkness, her movement so swift it was almost a blur. She aimed for Noah's side, but Noah was already anticipating the strike. His **Vampiric Sight** flared, allowing him to track her every movement, no matter how fast she was.

Before Kaela could even make contact, Noah twisted his body, his **Primordial Strength** enhancing his reflexes beyond human limits. He caught her wrist mid-swing, his grip unyielding as he pulled her toward him. With a speed that defied logic, he spun and tossed her across the training grounds. Kaela landed gracefully, immediately blending back into the shadows, but the damage had been done.

Vorrik, seeing his opportunity, charged forward, his claws raised high, eager to strike. His raw strength was terrifying, but Noah's senses were sharper. With a thought, the **Dominion of Darkness** surged within him. Shadows coalesced around his feet, rising up like serpents, and in an instant, he was surrounded by tendrils of darkness that swirled and lashed out at Vorrik.

The berserker was momentarily caught, his claws slashing through the shadows but unable to break free from their grasp. Noah stepped forward, his presence overwhelming, and with a subtle gesture, the shadows tightened around Vorrik's limbs, holding him in place. It wasn't a permanent hold—just long enough to demonstrate his superiority.

"Is this all you have?" Noah's voice was cold, his gaze unwavering. He released Vorrik from the shadows, allowing him to break free. The berserker growled in frustration but charged again, his eyes blazing with fury.

---

Kaela had already repositioned herself, her lithe form darting through the shadows, ready to strike again. But Noah wasn't fooled. He could feel her presence through the **Vampiric Sight**, even in the darkness. The air seemed to thicken with the pressure of the battle, and Noah's **Aura of the Conqueror** began to spread, influencing the air around him.

Kaela hesitated, her instincts warning her of the overwhelming presence of her master. But it was too late. With a snap of his fingers, the shadows erupted from the ground, forming into sharp, solid spears of darkness. They shot forward, aiming for the spot where Kaela was poised to strike. She had no choice but to leap back, narrowly avoiding the lethal projectiles.

At the same time, Vorrik's charge reached its peak. He swung his claws with devastating force, aiming to cleave through Noah's defenses. Noah, however, was faster. His **Blood Infusion** ability allowed him to manipulate his own blood, and he extended his hand, shaping the crimson essence into a barrier of blood that absorbed the impact of Vorrik's strike. The berserker's claws scraped against the shield, but it held firm.

Noah stepped forward, his **Primordial Strength** propelling him with immense force. He thrust his hand forward, the blood barrier solidifying into a massive spear of red energy. With a swift motion, he hurled it at Vorrik, who was forced to leap backward to avoid the devastating blow.

---

As the battle raged on, Noah could feel the strain of his powers, but he also felt invigorated. His **Shadowborne Regeneration** had already begun to heal the few minor wounds he'd sustained, and the shadows themselves seemed to nourish him, growing more potent as the surroundings darkened.

Kaela, sensing the shift in the battlefield, emerged from the shadows once more, moving with the same deadly grace. But Noah was ready. His **Blood Dominion** flared, his control over blood now extending beyond his own veins. He snapped his fingers, and Kaela froze mid-air, her body suspended by an invisible force.

"You will yield," Noah's voice was a command, his **Aura of the Conqueror** seeping into the very air around him, pressing down on Kaela's spirit. She struggled, but the pressure was too much. With a single thought, Noah forced her to the ground, her body unwillingly obeying his command.

---

Noah stood tall, his crimson eyes glowing with an unsettling calm as he surveyed his subordinates. Both Vorrik and Kaela were on the ground, panting heavily but unharmed. They were powerful—no doubt about it. But even they could not match the full force of his power.

He took a deep breath, his body drawing in the shadows around him as he healed any lingering wounds with his **Dark Resurgence**. His power surged, settling like a quiet storm beneath the surface.

"Enough," Noah said, his voice resonating with authority. "You've both done well. But remember, there is always a greater power waiting to be unleashed."

Vorrik and Kaela nodded, knowing full well that they had only glimpsed a fraction of Noah's true capabilities. As they rose to their feet, Noah's eyes softened for a moment, a rare glimpse of approval in his gaze.

"You'll get there. But until then, we train."

And with that, the sparring session came to an end. The shadows around Noah's feet seemed to sigh in satisfaction, and the night resumed its quiet, watchful vigil.