Chapternoveldrama
299
The warmth of the villagers' welcome now felt like a distant memory as Elyra and Dain walked cautiously through the narrow paths leading out of the village. The tension in the air was suffocating, and Dain's instincts were on high alert. "I don't like this," Dain murmured, his orange eyes scanning their surroundings. "They were too eager to see us leave. Something's not right."
Elyra nodded, her hand brushing the pendant that still faintly glowed against her chest. "Let's move quickly. The less time we spend here, the better."
They had barely made it to the edge of the forest when the first shadow beast emerged from the treeline. Its monstrous form twisted unnaturally, red eyes glowing with malice. Behind it, more followed, their snarls echoing through the air. "It's an ambush," Dain growled, positioning himself in front of Elyra.
They fought with everything they had. Dain's strength was unrelenting as he tore through the creatures, his strikes precise and lethal. Elyra's silver hair glowed as she summoned bursts of energy to repel the beasts, but the attacks came from all sides, their numbers overwhelming.
The betrayal became clear as the villagers emerged from the shadows, their faces etched with guilt and fear. Some held torches, others weapons, but none stepped forward to help. Instead, they stood silently as Xytriana appeared, her crimson eyes gleaming with triumph. "You trusted them, didn't you?" Xytriana's voice dripped with mockery. "Such a naive little Luna."
Elyra's glare was fierce, but her body trembled from the strain of the fight. "They'll regret this," she said, her voice steady despite the exhaustion creeping in.
Xytriana raised her hand, and Elyra's powers faltered. The glowing energy around her fizzled out, leaving her vulnerable. "You're strong, Elyra, but you're not strong enough. Not yet." Jason stepped into the clearing, his monstrous form even more grotesque in the firelight. "I tried to warn you, Elyra," he said, his voice dark with obsession. "You should've chosen me."
Dain lunged at Jason with a feral snarl, but shadowy bindings erupted from the ground, holding him in place. He struggled, his fury palpable, but Xytriana's magic was too strong. Elyra and Dain were bound and dragged toward waiting carriages. Xytriana stood over them, her smirk a victorious slash across her face.
"You're just pawns in a game far greater than you can imagine," she said, her voice a low purr.
The villagers averted their eyes as the carriages rolled away, their betrayal complete.