Hidden in Plain Sight
The wave of guards of Carmilla come charging at us. They shoot projectiles of different kinds. Arrows, spears, and magic. They are easy to dodge but some explode as they hit the ground. My ears are ringing and the dust cloud makes me squint. Algron shoots back at them and lands every shot.
"Just protect Nisha!" he shouts at me. "I'll handle them! Get her out of here!"
That's fine by me and it's probably for the best but to where? Everywhere is the land of the enemy. I stop thinking about that and just grab her by the hand as we run.
"There is no escape, Cancer," she says as if everything is over for us.
"No, we're gonna escape. Just keep running."
"No, leave me here. She only aims to kill both of you."
She slips from my clutches and I look at her as she stands there depressingly. It's like she has abandoned everything she has, left with no choice. I'm about to grab her again but she summons her sword and points it against my chest.
"Leave me!" she lets out as the guards are getting nearer.
"I'll come back to you later!" I say as I turn my back and run away.
That Carmilla. . . When I get my hands on her, I'll make her regret it! She has to be the reason why Nisha is acting this way. She poisoned her mind!
That face of Nisha earlier. . . she looked like she was begging for help but at the same time doesn't. This is confusing me so I want her to explain it to me. However, I have no chance to talk to her for now. I'll get rid of these idiots first!
Zaori made me an assassin-type and not made for this kind of all-out fight. My strength is in delivering a critical blow to the enemy. These lackeys are just gonna be a waste of time. I learned a few skills but I haven't put them to the test yet. Now is a good time.
To activate the skill, I say, "Shadowstep."
The shadows behind my back that normally be extra legs to get me around, wrap my whole body instead. I charge toward the guards. They swing their swords and lunge their spears but I become one with the ground as a shadow and pass through their feet. I become normal once again and slip past them before they realize it.
"There he is!" they cry as they turn.
"Get him for the Queen!"
Just as Algron said, we have to find the last Darken Stone if we were to defeat Carmilla. So, we have to get back to the castle and search through every nook and cranny. He himself makes a good distraction. Most of the guards want to subdue him as they deem him more dangerous so that leaves only a few to pursue me. That means I have to be the one to search for that cursed hidden pebble. Also, I have to go past that witch.
As I climb up the stairs with the help of my wings, she smirks at me, holds out her right hand, and summons swarms of bats to tear me apart. I learned a skill that I haven't tried also. This is something I saw from Zaori. I hold out my hand forward as I run.
"Light of Dawn: Holy Radiance!" Sourcing from my hand, a light shines and then spreads to make a shield. The bats turn into dust as soon as they touch it. "YARGHH!!!"
She stands her ground and imbues her fist with dark energy. My shield won't be enough. Instead of withstanding that, I use Shadowstep to get past her and avoid the powerful punch. Her face of slight annoyance satisfies me as I look back at her. Getting into the castle is a success.
The servants flee from me but I'm not gonna do anything to them. Clattering armor and angry roars enter the castle as the guards pursue me. They caught up so fast. Some of them can use Shadowclutch! I can't just search this huge castle and hope that I stumble upon it. Come on. . . THINK!!!
Towers. . . Darken Stones. . . Statues of Constantine. . . Violet Light. . .
Wait, violet light. . . Violet light? That can't be it, there's no way! Why display it out in the open?
"Gotcha!" an idiot roars from behind.
This guard thinks he can grab me. I hit him with my elbow and he crashes on the feet of his buddies. Then use my Shadowclutch to rush to that place where I think the last Darken Stone is. She hid it in plain sight!
Where, you ask? Here, in the throne room!