While her head told her it was useless and her fate was sealed, Nyx's heart wouldn't admit defeat as she continued to watch the man like a hawk. Her predatory gaze was searching for the slightest opportunity or weakness that could give her any sort of advantage.

However, instead of showing any concern, the man continued to smile back without care, as if he was having an interesting discussion with a long lost friend.

In fact, although Nyx's features were emotionless, like an iron mask that would reveal nothing to the outside world, the man couldn't help but praise the emotions Nyx's dark blue eyes held. They were like portals to a realm of raging storms, threatening to engulf any who wandered too close. Even for him, Nyx's gaze felt more akin to a force of nature than a mere glare.

The haunting visage was only increased as pitch black, snake-like tendrils of mist-like essence slithering across Nyx's body, displaying the vast amount of energy she was manipulating, readying to attack or defend at a moment's notice.

While the man was pleasantly surprised, seeing Nyx reveal her emotions so openly, at least from what he remembered, he couldn't help but release a sigh at the unknown factor that had slowly crept into his most prized weapon.

He didn't like uncertainty unless he was the cause.

Nyx, on the other hand, was struggling to come up with a plan to turn the tide in her favour or, at the bare minimum, let her take a proverbial pound of flesh from the man before being sent back to the abyss.

However, deep down, she knew that in the face of overwhelming strength, her tricks and ploys were useless.

This was proven when she had failed in trying to provoke the man, something she believed would definitely work.

Nyx did not believe in giving up, and detonating one's core was soul cripplingly painful so she would only do it as an absolute last resort, but that didn't mean she couldn't sacrifice her current body if she had no other choice.

What made the entire situation worse was that Nyx could tell by his actions that the man had something planned for her, causing her blood to feel cold and sluggish.

After all, she was still greatly shaken by his presence, causing both her mind and body to flounder.

Taking a deep breath, as if finally coming to a decision, the man nodded his head once.

He had initially scorned Nyx's current body, believing it too weak and unsuitable for his weapon but after the brief confrontation, he had changed his mind.

While it was raw and unrefined, it was clear to him that the body was the most suitable Nyx had ever possessed. As such, instead of killing her outright or forcing her to self destruct, he had decided to carry out an experiment.

He didn't hold out much hope of it working, but even if it ultimately failed, it would still distract the continent's guardians and could help him with his future research.

"Did you think such a blatant provocation or attacking me would send me into a rage and let you die peacefully?" Revealing a dazzling smile, the man's eye almost imperceivably flickered to a few locations, including the ruined carriage, before returning to Nyx.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Listening to the thunder above, lightening rippling across the sky, the man knew he had already spent too much time causing the smile on his face to grow crueller.

The idea, if it worked, birthed by Nyx's overwhelming affinity to darkness was becoming more and more tantalising.

"Beserkers!" The man's voice, while not loud carried to every corner of the street.

"Master!" As one, those shadowy black figures that had surrounded Nyx, saluted, a fist to the chest as their voice rumbled menacingly like the thunder above.

"Groups of five. Kill as many as you can. Avoid those that are a threat unless given no other choice."

Nyx's facial features twitched violently. While she didn't know what the man was planning, a terrifying forboding feeling grew from the depths of her soul.

The man continued to watch Nyx, waiting to see if she would work out what he was about to do.

While he had many objectives in this decision, the angel-like man always enjoyed it when his prey knew about their impending doom. "You are to continue until Nyx is dead. After that, detonate your cores and take out as many 'experts' as you can. Go."

"Master!" The figures saluted once more before sprinting away from the scene and gathering in groups of five before disappearing down the nearby alleys and roads.

Believing that she now knew what her master planned, turning the city against her, Nyx revealed a mocking smile, looking at the man as if he had lost his mind.

Her previous master had done things like this before, especially when it looked like Nyx had developed bonds or any sort of attachment. She had only been awake for a week, what sort of attachment would she have? Especially if it was weighed against her own life?

However, she couldn't work out why the master, who in her memory would have exploded when threatened, let alone attacked by someone they saw as their property, would set her up for a game of cat and mouse when it was almost sure that she would lose or watch it himself.

Nyx's eyes flickered around, looking at potential escape routes will maintaining her vigilance against the man. For an unknown reason, the man had presented an opportunity. One that Nyx would not miss.

If she could escape the city and find her soul crystal, then even if she were forced to hide at the ends of the earth, she would still be free.

However, Nyx knew it wouldn't be easy. No, with her current strength, she believed it was almost impossible.

It wasn't dark enough yet and there were no narrow or dark spaces she could see the meaning that most of her abilities, while good enough to maybe dodge and evade an entry Gem rank as she had done at the manor, would be pointless against someone like Granny.

"Nyx, Nyx, Nyx." Seeing this, the cruel smile of the man's only grew more chilling. "Even an idiot could tell that, as you are now, you are too weak to escape this tiny, insignificant city and its pathetic forces. Especially since your ruse of acting like the princess after stealing her body has been revealed."

Nyx's features didn't change, nor was she shocked. She had sensed that Harold had started to move under the carriage and that powerful figures would have rushed here early on.

The only reason they hadn't revealed themselves, or at least why Nyx would have remained hidden if she was them, is they could tell they were no match for the winged man.

However, even if they were waiting nearby, gathering their strength, it was almost inevitable that they would have skills and abilities that allowed them to eavesdrop on their conversation.

Nyx felt that if they couldn't work out who she was from this, or that until she was killed, the lives of their citizens would be lost, then they were beyond salvation.

Nyx's mocking smile didn't falter. To die was to die, the result didn't matter only the methods employed. In fact, at least this way she still had a chance.

Suddenly, the man's figure flickered before reappearing directly in front of Nyx, a speed the human body could only accomplish with abilities or skills.

Without any wasted movement or energy, the man's hand flew outwards, in the shape of a claw, resulting in a sickening, bone shattering crunch resonating from Nyx's chest, just to the right of her sternum.

Nyx's mind blanked for a moment, the almost unbearable pain shocking her senses as a thick, bright red blood erupted from her mouth.