When Rufus's opponent, Victor, took the stage, the atmosphere was charged with suspense.
He snarled, "I challenge you to a fight, Rufus," for example. "And the loser will be banished forever." Rufus growled, rage glimmering in his eyes. Snarling, "I accept your challenge," he said.
However, Xender moved forward before the altercation could start. She stated, "I'll take up the challenge," in a forceful and determined voice.
Rufus's eyes became wide with astonishment. "Xender, no," according to him.
"This is my fight." But Xender didn't back down. "I won't let you risk your life, Rufus," she replied. "I'll defend the people." Victor scoffed. He mocked, "You think you can defeat me, little girl?" Anger blazed in Xender's eyes. She said, "I'll show you what I can do," When the battle started, Xender showed himself to be a strong foe.
She battled with accuracy and expertise, easily avoiding Victor's punches.
Rufus watched with increasing admiration as the battle continued. He was impressed because he had never seen Xender fight before.
However, Victor delivered a fortunate punch as the battle came to a close, sending Xender sprawling to the ground.
As Rufus hurried to Xender's side, his heart skipped a beat. He murmured, "Xender, no," in a terrified whisper. However, Xender stumbled to her feet, her eyes burning with resolve. She declared, "I won't give up," When the battle resumed, Xender was stronger than ever.
She delivered blow after blow, getting more accurate with each one. At last, Victor staggered back, defeated. Xender's chest heaved with fatigue as she stood tall.
She muttered, "I did it," a proud smile lighting up her face. When Rufus's gaze met hers, his heart skipped a beat. He was pleased with Xender's fortitude and tenacity. And Rufus experienced a glimmer of attraction as he met her eyes.
Though he had always had affection for Xender, he now understood that his sentiments were far more than just friendship. Rufus moved forward, his heart thumping in his chest, while the audience yelled Xender's name and cheered. "Xender," he said in a hushed tone, his voice shaking. With victory in her eyes, Xender turned to face him. She said the word "Rufus," hardly raising her voice above a whisper. And Rufus's heart soared as they stood there, staring at each other.
He was certain that Xender was his true love. However, a person observed from the shadows as they had a romantic moment. A figure, his face displaying a menacing smile. "Rufus and Xender," he said in a low voice. "How quaint." And Rufus and Xender kissed tenderly as the stranger vanished into the night.
They had no idea, however, that their love would soon be put to the test in ways they never would have imagined. Xender's eyes met Rufus's as they withdrew from one another, both of them struggling for breath. However, there was a problem. The eyes of Rufus had changed.
The warm, affectionate eyes she had come to love were no longer there. They were ruthless, cunning, and evil. As Xender looked at Rufus in fear, her heart skipped a beat.
What was going on with him?
She was about to inquire when Rufus's expression started to shift.
His eyes shone with an unearthly force, and his complexion turned a deep, burning red.
The sound of Xender's own heart thumping in her ears drowned out her cry. Everything turned black after that. As Xender staggered backwards, stumbling over her own feet, her entire world went dark.
Her head spun when she hit the ground hard. Xender watched Rufus towering above her, his eyes still glimmering with an unearthly intensity, while she fought to sit up.
"Rufus, what's happening to you?" Fear shook Xender's voice as she whispered.
Rufus's teeth were shown as his face contorted into a scowl. "I'm becoming what I was meant to be," he said with a growl.
Xender looked at Rufus, her eyes wide with dread.
What was going on with him? She was going to inquire when a figure emerged from behind Rufus.
The man Xender had vanquished in the challenge was Victor. "Rufus, you fool," sneered Victor. "You think you can control the power of the ancient ones?"
Rufus's eyes were still full of vitality when he turned to Victor. Rufus snarled, "I will demonstrate my actual strength to you."
Then Rufus lifted his hand and sent Victor flying across the room with a burst of energy. Xender watched in dread as Rufus's change became more complete and his powers increased. She was aware that she had to move quickly to avoid permanently losing Rufus.
However, as she stumbled to her feet, Xender saw that Rufus's newfound abilities were too strong for her. There was no escape for her.
Then Xender heard a voice behind her, just when she thought there was no hope left. The voice said, "Xender, I'm here," When Xender looked around, he saw Peter standing behind her with a determined expression. However, there was a problem.
Peter's smile was contorted, and his eyes were odd. Xender was going to inquire as to what was wrong when Peter interrupted.
He said, "I've been waiting for you, Xender," in a sarcastic tone. As Xender looked at Peter in fear, her heart skipped a beat. What was going on with him?
Then, as she opened her mouth to question, Peter's expression changed. His eyes shone with a spooky red light, and his skin turned a deep, scaly black. The sound of Xender's own heart thumping in her ears drowned out her cry. Everything turned black after that. Xender was resting in a damp, dark dungeon when she regained consciousness.
Peter stood over her, his eyes still glimmering with a spooky red light, and she was shackled to the wall. His voice was full of hate. "Welcome, Xender," he said. "You're just in time for the main event." As Xender looked at Peter in fear, her heart skipped a beat. What was he trying to say? She was about to ask when the cellar door suddenly sprang open. In the doorway stood a figure that Xender was all too familiar with.
Her mother was the one. However, there was a problem.
Her mother's smile was twisted, and her eyes were odd. Xender was going to inquire as to what was wrong when her mother interrupted.
She said, "Hello, Xender," in a voice full of hate.
"I've been waiting for you.
" As Xender looked at her mother in fear, her heart skipped a beat.
What was going on?