Domnik surges ahead, flames roaring from his hands as he launches a blazing column of fire toward Muthos. The inferno lights up the battlefield, cutting through the smoke and shadows. Muthos raises a hand, and with a casual flick of his wrist, the fire dissipates, reduced to harmless embers before it can touch him.

"You'll have to do better than that, Wrathrune," Muthos sneers, his voice laced with contempt.

Domnik growls, his daemonic horns beginning to form as he channels more of his inherited power. He slams his fists into the ground, creating a shockwave of fire and molten earth that erupts beneath Muthos' feet. This time, the vampire god falters slightly, his confident stride interrupted as the ground splits and burns around him.

Alyse takes the opening. Sparks crackle around her hands, growing brighter and sharper as she summons a surge of electricity. She thrusts her palms forward, sending a jagged bolt of lightning streaking toward Muthos. The bolt strikes him square in the chest, and for a moment, he staggers back, his glowing red eyes narrowing in annoyance.

"Impressive," Muthos says, his voice calm despite the scorch mark on his chest. He brushes the smoldering fabric of his cloak away, revealing armor of dark steel beneath. "But futile."

I charge in from the side, aiming to take advantage of his distraction. My blade sings as it cuts through the air, aiming for his exposed neck. At the last second, Muthos turns, his speed inhuman, and catches the blade in his clawed hand. He wrenches it from my grasp with effortless strength and tosses it aside as if it were nothing.

"You're bold, Phoenix," he says, his fangs gleaming in the firelight. "But you're also reckless."

Before I can react, he strikes out with his other hand, catching me across the chest. The impact sends me flying backward, crashing into a pile of rubble. Pain radiates through my ribs, but I force myself to push through it, coughing as I scramble back to my feet.

"Red!" Alyse shouts, her voice tinged with panic.

"I'm fine!" I manage, though every word feels like a knife in my lungs.

Domnik launches himself at Muthos again, his fists wreathed in flame. He moves with a ferocity I've rarely seen, his strikes coming fast and relentless. Muthos deflects the first few blows but seems caught off guard by Domnik's raw power. A punch lands squarely on Muthos' jaw, snapping his head to the side.

"Stay down, you bastard!" Domnik snarls, slamming his fist into Muthos' chest with enough force to crack his armor.

Muthos stumbles but quickly regains his footing, his expression shifting from amusement to anger. "You're an insolent child," he growls, his voice dark and guttural. "Allow me to remind you of your place."

With a burst of speed, Muthos grabs Domnik by the throat and lifts him off the ground. Flames erupt around Domnik's body, but Muthos doesn't even flinch. Alyse screams and hurls another bolt of lightning at him, but Muthos turns, using Domnik as a shield. The electricity courses through Domnik's body, causing him to cry out in pain before Muthos tosses him aside like a ragdoll.

"Domnik!" I shout, adrenaline drowning out the pain in my ribs as I rush to his side. He's breathing, but barely, his body battered and burned.

Alyse steps forward, her eyes blazing with fury. "You'll pay for that!" She raises both hands, summoning every ounce of her power. Lightning crackles and dances around her, growing brighter and louder until it becomes a deafening roar.

Muthos pauses, tilting his head as if considering her. "So much fire in you," he says softly. "Perhaps I should extinguish it."

Alyse releases her attack, a massive bolt of lightning that tears through the air like a wrathful spear. It strikes Muthos head-on, engulfing him in a blinding explosion of light and energy. The ground shakes, and for a moment, everything is silent.

As the light fades, Muthos emerges from the smoke, his body singed but still standing. His crimson eyes burn brighter than ever, his expression now cold and merciless. "Enough of this," he says, his voice carrying the weight of finality.

He raises his hand, summoning a swirling vortex of dark energy that crackles with malevolent power. The air around us grows heavy, the shadows deepening as the vortex expands. Alyse stumbles back, her energy nearly depleted, and I grip my sword tightly, even as doubt creeps into my mind.

Before Muthos can unleash his attack, a deafening roar cuts through the chaos, but its not the roar of a dragon. It's something far more chilling, yet just as awe-inspiring. From the smoke and shadows emerges a figure clad in white cloth armor with light metallic shoulders and arms, a white mask concealing his face save for the piercing silver eyes that gleam with fury. His silver hair spikes wildly in the wind, and the air itself seems to hum with energy as he steps forward.

Muthos' head tilts slightly, his crimson eyes narrowing. "Well, well," he drawls, his voice laced with intrigue. "The fallen guardian returns. I wondered when you'd show yourself."

"Hail!" Domnik exclaims, his voice trembling between relief and fear. "You're here..."

He doesn't answer him. His focus is locked entirely on Muthos, the weight of his presence settling over the battlefield like a storm cloud. The faint shimmer of power surrounds him, and in his hand, he holds a gleaming icy blade that pulse faintly with light.

"I've seen what you've done, Muthos," Hail says, his voice low and steady, cutting through the chaos like steel. "This ends now."

Muthos laughs, the sound dark and condescending. "And you think you're the one to end me, Hail? A disgraced guardian clinging to what's left of his shattered honor?"

Hail takes another step forward, his movements precise and deliberate. "Disgraced or not, I'll do what needs to be done." He raises his sword, pointing it directly at the vampire god. "And that starts with you."

Muthos' smirk fades, replaced by a cold glare. The dark vortex in his hand swirls with renewed intensity as he turns fully to face Hail. "You should've stayed in the shadows where you belong. You're no match for me."

Hail doesn't respond. Instead, he charges forward with blinding speed, his sword cutting through the air in an arc of light. Muthos raises his hand to block, their weapons clashing with a deafening crack that sends shockwaves rippling through the battlefield. The sheer force of the impact pushes me back a step, and I can feel the raw power radiating from both of them.

The two clash again and again, their movements almost too fast to follow. Hail's strikes are precise, calculated, each one aimed to exploit a weakness in Muthos' defenses. Muthos counters with savage ferocity, his claws swiping through the air and his dark energy lashing out like tendrils.

"Hail!" I shout, trying to push forward, but Domnik grabs my arm, stopping me.

"Let him handle it," Domnik says, his voice strained. "If anyone can take him on, it's Hail."

Alyse looks between us, her hands trembling with sparks of electricity that flicker weakly. "But what if he can't? What if—"

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

"Then we make sure we're ready," Domnik cuts in, his tone sharp. "But for now, this is his fight."

Hail's mask is still firmly in place, but I can feel the intensity in his movements, the way his every strike seems fueled by an unrelenting determination. Muthos seems to grow frustrated, his movements becoming less fluid as Hail continues to press the attack.

"You're persistent," Muthos snarls, his voice tinged with anger. "But persistence won't save you."

He thrusts his hand forward, unleashing a massive wave of dark energy. It surges toward Hail like a tidal wave, swallowing the light around it. For a moment, I think it's over—but then Hail raises his hands, his fingertips glowing brighter than ever. A wall of ice forms and blocks the darkness. It slams into the wall and shatters it apart with a brilliant flash of light that momentarily blinds us.

When the light fades, Hail is standing tall, unscathed, his sword pointed once again at Muthos.

"This is your last warning," Hail says, his voice steady but carrying the weight of an unyielding resolve. "Leave now, or be destroyed."

Muthos bares his fangs, his crimson eyes blazing. "I am a god, you fool. You cannot destroy me."

"Maybe not," Hail replies, his tone cold. "But I can try." Hail glances to us. "Domnik, get him out of here." He commands.

Domnik nods and stands up grabbing my arm. "Let's go find Brenelor!" he shouts.

"But..."

He cuts me off. "Did you not just see that shit, Hail's got this, lets go!"

Domnik pulls Alyse and I forward, weaving through the chaotic streets as the battle between Hail and Muthos rages behind us. The echoes of their clash—a symphony of thunderous impacts and roaring energy—send tremors through the ground. Every few steps, I glance back, my heart pounding as flashes of blinding light and suffocating darkness illuminate the city skyline.

"Focus, Red!" Domnik shouts, yanking me back toward him as a panicked townsman nearly collides with me in his desperate flight. "We need to find Brenelor and regroup. Hail didn't send us running for no reason."

I grit my teeth, my instincts screaming to turn back, to help him. But Domnik's grip is firm, his determination unshakable.

"Brenelor's likely at the palace. Let's move." Alyse states.

As we push toward the heart of the city, the streets grow emptier. The festive lanterns still hang above us, their flickering light casting eerie shadows over the devastation below. The laughter and cheer of the Full Moon Festival are long gone, replaced by screams and the distant snarls of vampires hunting in the dark.

"Do you think we're too late?" I ask, struggling to keep my voice steady as we sprint toward the palace gates.

"No," Domnik replies, his tone clipped and focused. "We can't think like that. Not now."

The palace looms ahead, its golden spires piercing through the thick haze of smoke. But as we approach, a sharp, guttural roar echoes through the air, cutting through my thoughts like a blade. Domnik, Alyse and I skid to a stop, our breaths ragged as we see the source of the sound.

A towering figure stands before the palace gates. It's not a vampire—it's something far worse. The creature is monstrous, with gnarled, ashen skin and glowing red eyes that burn with malice. Spiked, bony protrusions jut from its back like jagged wings, and its claws drip with dark ichor. A hellhound.

Domnik curses under his breath. "Of course Muthos brought his pets."

The hellhound snarls, its massive jaws snapping as it prowls toward us, each step shaking the ground. It's easily three times the size of a horse, its muscles rippling under its grotesque, scaled hide. The air around it crackles with an unnatural heat, and the smell of sulfur makes my stomach churn.

Domnik steps forward, his hands already igniting with blue flames. "I'll hold it off. You two get inside and find Brenelor."

———Alyse———

I shake my head, drawing the dagger from my belt. "I'm not leaving you to face that thing alone."

"I can stay back with you!" Red shouts.

Domnik glances at us, his expression fierce. "We don't have time to argue. Go!"

The hellhound lunges, its claws tearing into the ground as it barrels toward us. Domnik raises his hands, and a column of fire erupts from the earth, slamming into the beast and forcing it back. It howls in fury, its eyes glowing even brighter as it shakes off the flames.

"Go!" Domnik shouts again, his voice cracking with strain as he conjures another wave of fire.

Red pulls me back and we run toward the palace gates. Behind me, the hellhound roars again, and I hear the explosive crack of Domnik's fire as he keeps it at bay. My heart clenches, but I force myself to keep moving. He's counting on us.

The gates are ajar, one of them hanging precariously from its hinges. We slip through the gap, my breath hitching as I step into the palace courtyard. It's eerily quiet, the chaos of the city feeling distant now, muffled by the thick stone walls. The courtyard is littered with debris—splintered wood, shattered glass, and the bodies of fallen guards.

"Brenelor!" I call out, my voice echoing through the open space.

"Brenelor, where are you?" Red calls.

A faint sound catches my attention—a muffled voice coming from the direction of the grand hall. I grip my dagger tightly and move toward the sound, my footsteps quick but cautious. The closer I get, the more distinct the voice becomes.

"Alyse, Red!" Brenelor's voice calls out, sharp and commanding.

I push open the doors to the grand hall and find her standing near the throne, flanked by two of her royal guards. She looks disheveled, her hair slightly out of place and her armor scuffed, but her presence is as commanding as ever.

"You made it," she says, relief flashing across her face. "Where's Domnik?"

"Outside," Red replies, catching his breath.

"He's holding off a hellhound." I say.

Her expression darkens. "Muthos has sent everything at us, hasn't he?"

I nod. "It's bad out there, Brenelor. Domnik's friend is fighting Muthos near the gates, but we don't know how long he can hold him off."

Brenelor's jaw tightens, her lips pressing into a thin line as she locks eyes with me, her gaze steady and resolute. "Then you need to get out of here while you still can."

I feel the heat of her command settle over me, but it only fuels the fire in my chest. "What? I want to stay, I want to fight!" My voice cracks with frustration, but the weight of the situation presses down on me like a heavy cloak.

She doesn't flinch, her eyes unwavering. Then, she turns to Red, her expression softening just slightly. "You remember what I told you, yes?"

Red looks at her, his brow furrowed in concentration. The urgency in the air is palpable, and I see his fists clench. "You're sure it'll work?"

She nods, her lips curling into a knowing grin, but it's laced with something darker. "Positive. She's the only one who can open the gateway now."

Confusion sweeps through me like a storm. "What are you two talking about?" My voice is a whisper, an echo of the panic creeping up my spine.

Brenelor steps forward, her movements smooth and calculated, as if she's already preparing for what comes next. Her hand rests on the hilt of her sword, her eyes distant for a moment, but then she locks onto mine, and for a brief second, I see everything she's fighting for in the depths of her gaze.

"Saving Kylen and destroying Muthos' source of power," she explains, her words precise, slicing through the tension in the room like a blade. "Before he can use it to destroy all of Celestria, not just its capital."

"But..." I begin, but my words falter in my throat. The enormity of it all crashes into me, drowning out any further protests.

In that moment Muthos bursts through the roof of the palace. His laughter echoing through the hall.

"This battle is already lost Alyse, we can't risk losing another, go!"Brenelor shouts as Red grabs my arm and pulls me towards the door.

"Brenelor!" I shout but it's no use, Muthos shoves his blade through her back as she cries out in pain.

"No!" I scream, my voice cracking as Brenelor falls to her knees, Muthos's blade still embedded in her back. Her eyes meet mine, and for a fleeting moment, there's no pain in her gaze—only determination.

"Go!" she rasps, her voice carrying a weight that shakes me to my core. "Do not let this be in vain!"

Red's grip on my arm tightens as he pulls me toward the door, his face a mask of fury and anguish. "Alyse, we have to move! Now!"

My legs feel like lead, every step a battle against the overwhelming urge to turn back. To fight. To save her. But Muthos's chilling laughter fills the grand hall, freezing me in place.

"You cannot escape me," Muthos hisses, his voice dripping with malice. He pulls his blade free from Brenelor with a sickening sound, her body collapsing to the floor. "Run if you like. It will only delay the inevitable."

Red yanks me harder, practically dragging me out of the hall. "Alyse, listen to me! If we don't get to the portal, everything Brenelor fought for will mean nothing!"

His words pierce through the haze of grief threatening to consume me. I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat, and force my legs to move. The sound of Muthos's footsteps echoes behind us, each one deliberate and menacing.

Domnik bursts from the shadows as we push through the gates of the palace, his boots thundering against the ground.

"What are you guys—" His words cut off as he sees the looming figure of Muthos emerging from the darkness behind us. His eyes widen in horror. "Oh, fuck!"

Red doesn't waste a second. "Come on! We're heading for the stables! We have to get back to Grimhold Peak!" His voice is sharp, the urgency clear as he grabs my arm, pulling me toward the path leading out of the city.

Domnik barely hesitates. Without a word, he sprints alongside us, his pace matching ours as we push forward, the sound of Muthos' relentless pursuit echoing in the distance, growing louder with every passing moment.

The night air is thick with tension, the streets eerily quiet as the city crumbles behind us, swallowed by the chaos we left behind.