63: Aftermath and Revelation
The battlefield was a scene of both triumph and devastation. The clash between Adrian's forces and Lord Ralvyn's army had taken its toll, though the enemy had been decisively defeated. Bodies lay scattered across the ground, and the air was thick with the scent of blood and sweat. Yet amidst the carnage, there was also a sense of relief, a quiet peace settling over the warriors who had survived.
Adrian stood among the remnants of the battlefield, his eyes scanning the horizon where the last of the enemy forces retreated. His hands, though covered in the blood of battle, still gripped his sword with steady determination. He had won. But the weight of victory felt heavier than expected.
The familiar sound of hooves broke through his thoughts, and he turned to see Cassandra riding towards him, her steed moving with practiced grace. Her armor was stained with the marks of combat, but there was no mistaking the look in her eyes—one of shared resolve and quiet understanding.
As she dismounted, Adrian couldn't help but notice the blood on her cheek, the bruise forming beneath her eye. Yet, despite the toll of the battle, there was no sign of weakness in her posture, no falter in her presence. She was as unyielding as ever.
"Well fought," she said simply, wiping the blood from her cheek. "The right flank fell into place just as we planned. Ralvyn's forces were unprepared for the shift."
Adrian nodded, his gaze focused on the retreating enemy. "It worked, but I can't shake the feeling that something isn't right."
Cassandra raised an eyebrow, but her expression softened. "What do you mean?"
"The way Ralvyn fought," Adrian continued, his voice thoughtful. "It was almost as if he wanted to be defeated. The arrogance was still there, but... there was something off about it. It was like he had nothing left to lose."
Cassandra frowned, sensing the gravity of his words. "You think he had a bigger plan?"
Adrian didn't answer immediately. Instead, he watched as the last remnants of the enemy forces disappeared into the distance. The dust settled, and the battlefield fell eerily silent, save for the muffled sounds of the survivors tending to their wounded.
"I don't know," Adrian admitted, his voice low. "But something tells me this victory is only part of the story."
Before Cassandra could respond, a familiar figure appeared on horseback, riding swiftly toward them. Alden, the young general who had proven himself in the heat of battle, came to a halt in front of them.
"Lord Adrian, Lady Cassandra," he said, his voice urgent. "We have a situation."
Adrian's brows furrowed. "What's happened?"
"It's about Lord Ralvyn," Alden explained, dismounting quickly. "His body—it's gone."
Adrian's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean, gone?"
"There's no sign of his body anywhere on the battlefield," Alden confirmed. "His men retreated, but his corpse... it disappeared."
Adrian's mind raced. "That's impossible. His death was witnessed by dozens of soldiers. How could his body simply vanish?"
Cassandra's gaze sharpened, her eyes scanning their surroundings as if searching for an answer. "You think someone took it?"
"I don't know," Adrian muttered. "But I need to find out."
Without another word, Adrian turned on his heel and began moving toward the area where Ralvyn had fallen. Cassandra was at his side in an instant, Alden close behind.
As they approached the spot where the final confrontation had taken place, Adrian felt the weight of the moment settle over him. The ground was still stained with the remnants of the battle, but there was no sign of Ralvyn's body—nothing to indicate where the enemy commander had been slain.
Adrian crouched, his fingers brushing the ground where Ralvyn's blood had pooled moments before. There were no tracks, no sign of movement. It was as if the man had vanished into thin air.
"This doesn't make sense," Adrian murmured. "He couldn't have disappeared. Not like this."
Cassandra knelt beside him, her eyes narrowing. "There's something else. Look."
She pointed to a faint shimmer in the air, almost imperceptible but there nonetheless. Adrian's eyes followed her gesture, and for a moment, he could have sworn the air itself was distorting around them. It was subtle, like the flicker of a mirage, but it was there.
"It's a spell," Cassandra said quietly, her voice filled with realization. "A magic that hides things, makes them invisible to the naked eye."
Adrian's chest tightened. "Someone must have used it on Ralvyn's body. But who?"
Alden spoke up, his voice filled with unease. "My lord, I've heard rumors. They say that Ralvyn had dealings with powerful figures, ones who wield magic far beyond anything we've encountered."
"Not just magic," Adrian muttered, his mind whirling. "He was always playing both sides—alliances, betrayals, secrets. It's possible he had a contingency plan. He may have been more prepared for his death than we realized."
Cassandra's gaze turned toward the horizon, a look of understanding passing between them. "This is far from over. Whoever took his body is still out there, and they'll want something from us. We've only just begun to uncover the truth."
Adrian stood up, determination in his eyes. "Then we'll find them. We'll find out who's behind this and why Ralvyn's death isn't what it seems."
The battle may have been won, but the war was far from over. Adrian's instincts told him that this was only the beginning of a far greater conflict, one that would test not just his strength, but his very resolve.
Cassandra placed a hand on his shoulder, her voice steady and reassuring. "We'll face whatever comes, Adrian. Together."
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End of Chapter 63