The bushes shook violently, and more fluorescent green eyes flashed in the darkness, one pair after another, as they excitedly howled.
They had encountered a group of Night Ghouls.
A tearing roar echoed through the jungle, and the monsters revealed their gleaming fangs, leaping into action.
Aria cowered on the ground in terror, frantically groping in the mud with her hands. She had to find something to stop the Night Ghouls from further attacking. Echoes of Oliver's agonizing cries resounded in her ears, along with the hound's pained whimpers. In the dark woods, it felt like they were being pushed into the abyss of death.
Suddenly, a swift wind rushed through the sky, followed by a tearing wail. The Night Ghoul charging towards Aria crashed heavily into the mud, its shriveled head pierced by an arrow.
Aria looked up in surprise towards the sky but immediately prostrated herself on the ground. In the dim light flickering through the swaying branches, she saw a figure, an archer proficient in archery, holding a taut bowstring, aiming directly at the Night Ghoul.
The Night Ghoul let out a pained wail, struggling to get up, but it could no longer continue the fight. The force of the arrow pinned it to the mud, rendering it immobile.
Whistling arrows sliced through the sky like a storm. They flew at lightning speed, striking the Night Ghouls in the dead forest. The cries echoed incessantly, and soon, all that remained were charred corpses.
Oliver lay in the distance, his groans audible. The black hound lay nearby, breathing rapidly, its fur drenched in blood, on the brink of death. Aria stumbled over, stroking its furry head.
After a moment, the rapid breaths ceased. "No," Aria said sadly.
In the distance, there came the neighing of warhorses.
She wiped her eyes and looked towards the woods.
Behind the archer, more cavalry appeared. In the distance, on the dark ridge, was an army, such a massive army yet surprisingly silent, without even a torch lit or a flag hung. They were not the Iron Wardens of Sovereign Bastion; they were a suddenly appearing army.
The woods rustled, as if someone was approaching.
As the footsteps drew nearer, the skilled archer emerged from the woods. He passed through the bushes, stepping over the corpses of the Night Ghouls.
Until he stood before Aria, she finally saw the long scar on his face, the same one she had encountered in Shadowvale that day. He lowered his gaze, his eyes cold and sharp. The scar ran across his young face like a kiss of icy death. He said nothing, only stared at Aria, as if trying to read her mind.
Aria crawled out of the mud, rolled around in it, her disheveled hair sticking to her cheeks, looking utterly disheveled. She brushed aside the sticky hair, trembling as she stood up.
"Thank you for saving us."
The man stared at her, his indifferent eyes filled with mercilessness far more terrifying than the scars.
"Don't thank me so soon, because you don't even know who I am."
"Who are you?" Aria asked cautiously.
A cold smirk tugged at his expressionless face, as if mocking Aria's naivety. "I am Thanatos, the death reaper your king fears the most."
Aria stepped back nervously, sensing the dangerous aura emanating from Thanatos. She knew she had to stay calm, but the fear within her was uncontrollable.
"What do you want?" Her voice trembled, but she struggled to maintain composure.
Thanatos stared at her, as if contemplating his response. Finally, he spoke slowly, his voice cold and deep.
"I want little, just the power and control of your father, the king."
Aria's heart tightened; she knew this mysterious death god wasn't here to make friends. She had to act cautiously and look for an opportunity to escape.
As Aria attempted to find her chance to flee, she suddenly felt a strange energy permeating the air around her. An invisible force began to coalesce slowly, enveloping her.
She felt as if she were trapped in a thin, transparent film, her body moving involuntarily, unable to take a step, as if held firmly by unseen hands.
"Let me go!" Aria roared, struggling with all her might to break free, but the constraints seemed stronger than iron chains.
Thanatos stood before her, his gaze deep and cruel, as if piercing her soul. With a flick of his fingers, the surrounding energy bindings tightened, immobilizing Aria completely.
"You cannot escape," Thanatos's voice was cold and ruthless. "Now, you belong to me."
Aria's emotions fluctuated wildly; she felt the ropes of restraint tightening, as if imprisoning her soul. Nevertheless, her will continued to struggle fiercely, seeking even the slightest chance of escape.
Stolen novel; please report.
"You will not succeed," her voice was filled with challenge and anger.
Thanatos's gaze grew colder, seemingly indifferent to her defiance. He reached out and lightly touched Aria's cheek, the touch carrying a chilling sensation that sent shivers down her spine.
"You possess a valuable spirit," his voice was magnetic yet ominous, "but it is in vain. You cannot escape my grasp. I will show you the true darkness and make your father witness the destruction of Sovereign Bastion."
Despair spread through Aria's heart; she knew she was in unprecedented danger.
Overnight, Sovereign Bastion fell under the dark shadow.
The moonlight played hide and seek, filtering through the casements onto the deserted streets, casting light on the rubble strewn between the ruins. At the moment Thanatos breached the gates, an indescribable fear engulfed the entire city, as if a colossal hand of darkness had swept away vitality and hope altogether.
The thunderous clang of iron hooves pierced the night like the whispers of demons, the cold scales of armor shimmering with an eerie glow under the moonlight. Those grotesque visages resembled the gates of hell itself, brimming with contempt for life and desire to ravage.
"Thanatos!" someone murmured in terror, the sound echoing through the night like the call of death.
The resistance forces atop the city walls had taken their stand, yet their efforts seemed futile and desperate at this moment. Arrows rained through the night sky, torches ignited scarlet flames, but it all felt like futile struggles in the face of an unstoppable catastrophe.
The army of the Grim Reaper breached the city gates, their arrows aimed at the soldiers on the walls. Standing before the gate, Thanatos loomed tall, casting a disdainful gaze upon the prostrate crowd below as if they were insignificant ants beneath his feet.
"You, pitiful ants," his voice was heavy and icy, like a sharp blade cutting through people's hearts, "your resistance is but futile struggle. What can you do in the face of death?"
Within the city, even in the face of the threat of death, some stood tall and firm, gritting their teeth.
"We will rise in defiance, even if it's just a glimmer of hope!" a young warrior stepped forward, flames of freedom and justice burning in his eyes, "We will never submit to your darkness!"
A smirk curled at the corners of Thanatos' leader's lips. "Courage?" he scanned the surroundings with indifference, "What good is courage? In the face of death, courage means nothing."
He raised his hand, and arrows fell like rain upon the crowd, turning the young warrior and the soldiers into silent corpses.
When Aria was escorted to Scvereign Bastion, she felt an indescribable atmosphere of gloom. The castle was permeated with the smell of blood, strewn with fallen soldiers, and engulfed in the aura of death, as if heralding a terrifying omen.
Thanatos imprisoned her in the highest chamber of the castle, a room long abandoned. Heavy purple curtains blocked out the darkness beyond, with only faint light filtering through the dusty white veils, casting a glow upon the ancient carved bed.
On the opposite wall hung a portrait of a frail woman seated in an armchair, clad in a pale silk gown. Sunlight illuminated her pallid face, giving it a sickly appearance. Yet, her smile was gentle, as if comforting Aria's soul. Aria gazed deeply at the portrait, overwhelmed by a flood of endless sorrow and longing. This woman was none other than her deceased mother. The armchair now sat quietly by the window, its occupant long buried beneath a sea of flowers.
At that moment, a maid entered the room, head bowed, knees kneeling, hands holding a pearl-adorned white gown.
"Please, do not kneel. Stand and speak," Aria's voice was filled with warmth and respect. In these days, the maids had been bringing her food and clothing, though they remained silent, heads bowed. Aria was grateful for their kindness.
Trembling, the maid handed the gown to Aria, her voice choked with tears. "Please, put it on."
Aria's heart weighed as heavily as the solemn reflection in a mirror as she held the gown, her eyes betraying a hint of hesitation.
The maid's gaze swept over Aria, as if searching for something, then turned away, head slightly bowed.
"What if I refuse?" Aria's tone was firm and cold.
The maid shook her head, tears slipping down her cheeks.
In that moment, Aria understood. This was Thanatos's command. Under his tyranny, these defeated prisoners were forced to become servants of the invaders, with no one daring to resist.
So, Aria donned the soft gown, unwilling to cause trouble for the maids. As she sat in the chair, the maid began to comb her hair, Aria felt a fear unlike any before. Whatever she was about to face, she was destined to be a part of this tragedy.
Night fell, and Aria was escorted to a banquet hall adorned with golden trimmings. In the heart of Sovereign Bastion, on its most important occasions, King Magnus would fill this hall with delectable feasts to entertain distinguished guests.
Today, the long table was laden with sumptuous delicacies, fine wines, and neatly carved meats. Fire braziers burned brightly, casting a warm glow and soothing heat throughout the spacious hall. The attendants stood like statues, silently waiting as if anticipating some unknown command.
Seated at one end of the long table, Aria felt no appetite despite the lavish spread before her. Instead, she was consumed by a sense of fear and unease, her heart pounding with each passing second as if anticipating some dreadful event.
As time trickled by, the atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly somber. The attendants began to shift their numb feet restlessly, and the candles burned down to their bases. Aria felt a cold sweat forming on her brow, mingling with the warmth of her surroundings, creating an eerie sensation.
Then, Thanatos slowly entered the hall.
All subtle sounds in the hall vanished in an instant, even the breaths of the attendants became indiscernible. His footsteps echoed as he walked past Aria, around the long table, and finally seated himself opposite her.
Clad in his exquisite black attire with a collar adorned with icy crystals, Thanatos exuded an aura of cold detachment. The attendants removed his cloak, and under his icy gaze, Aria dared not lift her head, her heart filled with fear and apprehension.
"Welcome, Aria," Thanatos's voice was cold and merciless. "The banquet has begun. I hope you will enjoy yourself."
Aria trembled as if trapped in a frigid darkness. Her heart raced in her chest, fear and despair intertwining, making it almost impossible to breathe. She struggled to control her emotions, keeping them from betraying her.
Thanatos unsheathed his sword, his voice devoid of emotion. "Clean it, and don't let me see any bloodstains."
With bowed head, the attendant gingerly took the sword, as if holding not a blade but a lit fuse.
Aria watched in horror as the sword, stained with blood from hilt to tip, even staining the ground where he had walked, was handed over. As the attendant passed by, Aria caught a whiff of the overpowering scent of blood.
"Sorry for my tardiness," Thanatos said casually, as if he were fashionably late to a mundane appointment, delayed by minor inconveniences.
"Did you kill our people?" Aria's lips trembled with pallor.
"You wouldn't want to know," Thanatos replied flatly. He surveyed the untouched food on the table, his expression darkening. "If you don't fancy this fare, I can have it remade. Every time I go on campaign, I bring along a master chef, but your people killed him. I had to make do with a makeshift one."
"It's not the food, it's what you've done," Aria retorted angrily.
"And what do you intend to do about it? Seek revenge?" Thanatos sneered.
Aria shot him a glance, then fell silent. Then, she heard Thanatos issue a chilling command: "Everyone, leave."