Chapter 16: Blood and Betrayal

Chapter 15: Blood and Betrayal

Morning came with an eerie silence, the calm before the storm. The camp buzzed with tension as the knights of both Nyxpanther and Havvaris prepared to set off, determined to hunt down the heart of the illegal slave merchants. The sky was a deep shade of crimson as the sun barely peaked over the horizon, signaling the coming battle.

After hours of travel, following the leads and markings left by the merchants, they finally reached the hidden fortress buried deep in the snow-covered valleys of Glacivarn. The fortress was a well-guarded stronghold, surrounded by thick stone walls and watchtowers. It was clear that whoever ran this operation had deep pockets and powerful connections.

As they approached, the gates burst open, revealing a wave of heavily armed men, their armor bearing the insignia of Nyxaris nobility. The sight made Nyxpanther narrow his eyes.

"So, it's true," Nyx growled, stepping forward. "The rot has reached even our Empire."

From the depths of the fortress, two figures emerged—Count Leoric Durnhelm and Viscount Cedric Raventhal, both high-ranking nobles of Nyxaris. They wore smug expressions, unfazed by the presence of the two beastmen alphas and their knights.

"Well, well," Count Leoric drawled, twirling a golden goblet filled with crimson wine. "If it isn't the prodigal panther and his ever-so-loyal wolf friend. To what do we owe the pleasure?"

Havvaris sneered. "You've got some nerve showing your faces here, knowing what you've done. Selling our kind like cattle? You disgrace the Empire of Nyxaris."

Viscount Cedric chuckled darkly. "Oh, come now. You make it sound so terrible. It's just business. And business is booming." His gaze shifted to Melinoe, who stood between the two alphas. His eyes gleamed with interest. "And what have we here? A little human plaything? Now that... that is rare."

Nyxpanther's body tensed, his claws twitching at his sides. "Say one more word about her, and I'll rip your tongue from your skull."

The amusement in Cedric's eyes disappeared, replaced by cold calculation. "Kill them."

At his command, the battlefield exploded into chaos. The enemy knights charged, their weapons gleaming in the morning light. Nyxpanther and Havvaris shifted into their beast forms, their roars shaking the very earth as they tore into the enemy lines.

Nyxpanther moved like a shadow, his black leopard form weaving through the battlefield with lethal precision. His claws sliced through armor, his fangs tearing into flesh. He was a blur of death, his movements too fast for the enemy to track.

Havvaris, in his white wolf form, fought with sheer brutality. His massive paws crushed bones, his jaws snapping necks like twigs. The snowy battlefield was soon painted red as the two alphas carved a path through their foes.

The knights of Nyxpanther and Havvaris held their ground, engaging in fierce duels against the corrupted warriors of the Count and Viscount. Blades clashed, magic crackled, and the air was filled with the screams of the fallen.

Count Leoric watched the battle unfold with a smirk. "You always were formidable, Nyxpanther. But you're outnumbered. You can't protect them all."

Melinoe, standing near the rear of the battlefield, clenched her fists. She wasn't useless. She wouldn't just stand there. She grabbed a fallen blade and tried to fight, but her body was still that of a human. Her strength couldn't compare.

Then it happened.

A rogue enemy knight saw her vulnerability and lunged. She barely had time to react. A sharp pain tore through her upper abdomen as cold steel embedded itself into her flesh. The world tilted, her vision blurred, and she collapsed onto her knees, blood staining the snow beneath her.

Time seemed to stop.

A roar unlike anything heard before erupted from both Nyxpanther and Havvaris. The battlefield froze as their rage ignited a terrifying force.

Nyxpanther lunged at the knight who had dared to wound Melinoe, his claws sinking into the man's throat. He ripped him apart without hesitation. Havvaris, equally enraged, unleashed a devastating attack, eviscerating the enemies around him in a whirlwind of ice and fury.

Their knights, fueled by their leaders' wrath, fought harder, their swords cutting down their enemies with renewed ferocity. Blood sprayed across the battlefield as the tide shifted in their favor.

Count Leoric and Viscount Cedric took advantage of the distraction, retreating toward the fortress. "This isn't over," Leoric spat before disappearing into the shadows.

Havvaris turned, his golden eyes blazing. "They're escaping!"

But Nyxpanther didn't care. Not right now. His focus was entirely on the woman bleeding in the snow.

"Melinoe!" He rushed to her side, shifting back into his human form. He pulled her into his arms, his heart pounding as he inspected the wound. "Damn it..."

Melinoe's lips trembled as she forced a weak smile. "I... I tried..."

"Don't speak," Nyxpanther whispered, his voice uncharacteristically soft. "You'll be fine. I swear it."

Havvaris knelt beside them, his face dark with concern. "She needs medical attention now."

Nyxpanther nodded, his expression fierce as he lifted Melinoe into his arms. "Then let's get her out of here."

As they retreated, the battlefield left behind was a graveyard of corpses, a testament to the wrath of two enraged alphas. And the war was far from over.