chapter 15

Chapter 15

A fine rain fell on the kingdom of Sky, covering the roofs of the capital with a thin film of water. The inner courtyard of the castle was silent, barely disturbed by the sound of drops hitting the stone paving stones. Elion stood under the balcony of the great throne room, staring lost in the distance. Behind him, Captain Kael and Veyla waited in silence.

"The monsters have never acted in a coordinated manner until now." Elion's voice was calm, but sharp as a blade." "There is something, or someone, directing them."

Kael, still straight as a pillar, nodded.

Scouts reported seeing a creature of unusual size during the last attack near the northern border. Some speak of a "moving shadow," capable of making other monsters obey with a simple glance.

Veyla frowned.

"An alpha creature?"

"Possible." Kael put a hand on the handle of his sword." But alpha monsters are rare, and mostly solitary. If this creature coordinates multiple attacks, then we face something different."

Elion remained silent, his eyes fixed on the courtyard.

"If it's an alpha creature, we have to track it down and destroy it before it becomes an uncontrollable threat."

Kael bowed slightly.

"I'm going to organize a reinforced patrol in the area."

"No." Elion slowly turned his head towards him. "It's not just a patrol that will overcome this threat. I'll go myself."

Kael stood up abruptly.

"Majesty, that would be too risky!"

Elion gave him a cold look.

"I'm the king." If this creature is powerful enough to threaten the kingdom, it is my duty to face it."

"You must think about your safety!" insisted Kael.

Elion stepped forward, his black coat floating behind him.

"It is precisely because I am the king that I must act." I can't just send my men into battle while I stay behind."

Kael bowed reluctantly.

"Whatever you say, Your Majesty."

Veyla, on the other hand, showed a fine smile.

"Then I'll come with you."

Elion slowly turned his head towards her.

"You don't have to put yourself in danger."

"Are you going to fight alone?" said Veyla, crossing her arms. "If she's an alpha creature, even you might be overwhelmed. It's better that someone looks after you."

Elion hesitated for a moment before answering.

"All right. We'll leave at dawn."

Kael expired heavily, but did not protest further.

"I'll prepare an escort."

"No escort." Elion cut him dryly. "The more we are, the more attention we will attract."

Kael winced, but bowed.

"At your command."

Elion and Veyla left the room, leaving Kael alone. The captain stared at the ground, his forehead pleated. He knew the power of Elion, but this creature was different. There was a darkness in the reports he had read - something old, something malicious.

Kael clenched his fist.

"Be careful, Your Majesty..."

At Dawn

The sun was barely rising when Elion and Veyla left the castle, dressed in dark capes. Elion wore light armor reinforced with black steel plates, adjusted to maximize mobility. Veyla, on the other hand, wore a reinforced leather suit, two daggers attached to her hips.

"The latest report mentions an attack near the village of Whitefall." Veyla consulted a rolled-up map she was holding in her hand." Three farms destroyed, a dozen dead. The survivors are talking about a massive red-eyed creature."

"A magical creature of higher rank..." whispered Elion.

They crossed the great plain of Sky on horseback, the rural landscape marching under an overcast sky. The tension in the air was palpable.

After several hours of riding, they reached the outskirts of Whitefall. The village bore the traces of a recent battle: half-burned houses, dried blood on the ground, and a smell of burnt flesh floating in the air.

An old man, leaning on a cane, approached them.

"Are you... the king?"

Elion got off the horse and nodded.

"What happened here?"

The old man shook his head, his eyes clouded with tears.

"It was... a shadow. A huge creature, with black claws. The arrows and spears had no effect. She destroyed the farms in a few moments. Our warriors..." He swallowed." All dead."

Veyla frowned.

"A high-level magical creature, probably rank 4 or higher."

Elion put a hand on the old man's shoulder.

"Did you see which way she went?"

The old man raised a trembling finger towards the dark forest east of the village.

"She went into that."

Elion stared at the tree cover.

"All right. Gather the survivors and shelter them. We will solve this problem."

The old man stepped back, hope shining in his tired eyes.

Elion advanced towards the forest, followed by Veyla.

"Do you really think we can kill her?" asked Veyla.

Elion put one hand on the handle of his sword.

"If it exists, it bleeds. If it bleeds, it can die."

They entered the forest. The silence was oppressive. The black and deformed branches seemed to close behind them.

Veyla pulled her daggers.

"It's quiet... too quiet."

A thud echoed in the distance. The ground shook.

A freezing breath roamed the forest.

"She's here..." whispered Elion.

Red eyes opened in the darkness, shining like embers. A massive figure emerged from the darkness: a three-meter-high creature with an ink-black coat, twisted horns and claws as long as daggers.

A dull rumble rang through the monster's throat.

Veyla took a step back.

"Rank 4... maybe 5."

Elion slowly cleared his sword, the black blade twinkling in the dim light.

"Then it's a worthy prey."

The creature leaps. Elion raised his sword. The steel met the monster's claws in a deafening shock. The fight began.