Chapter 29: Crimson Reckoning
The moment the Vault's doors sealed behind them, Kael felt it—a chill, the kind that crawled beneath his skin and whispered of watching eyes. Outside, the crimson sky of the Scarlet Vale darkened unnaturally, and a storm brewed over the horizon.
The group took shelter in the ruins of what once appeared to be a sky temple. The pillars were broken, vines twisted through shattered murals, but its location on high ground gave them visibility for miles. Vaeloria traced sigils into the stones, setting wards while Thalaria and Selene fortified the perimeter. Nysera stood at the edge of the cliff, staring into the windswept dunes as if expecting something—or someone.
Kael approached her, arms crossed. "You've been quiet. Planning to ghost us again?"
Nysera gave a humorless smile. "Not this time. I can feel him."
"Who?"
She didn't look at him. "Vaemir. My late husband's brother. The one who betrayed him. The one who sealed my fate."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "He's the one who sent those hunters?"
"He leads them. He thinks if he captures me, he can claim the Moonfang Rite and legitimize his leadership over what's left of our clan. He wants my blood, my power—and my body." Her voice turned to venom.
Kael stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Then we kill him. Painfully."
Nysera glanced at him. "You say that so easily."
"I've had practice."
Behind them, Selene's voice rang. "We've got company. One mile out, fast-moving shapes. Ten... no, twelve riders. One large signature."
Nysera stiffened. "That's him."
Kael turned toward the others. "Time for a war council."
They circled a fire, its light flickering against their faces. Kael drew patterns in the dirt, marking the terrain.
"Selene, barrier enchantments along the northern slope. That's the approach they'll take. Thalaria, electrify the ground—if they rush, they burn."
She grinned. "Love when you let me be messy."
"Vaeloria, you're our nuke. You hold till we have a cluster. Then blow them off the cliff."
Vaeloria nodded. "Understood."
"Nysera—"
"I fight beside you," she interrupted. "No arguments."
Kael smiled. "Wouldn't dream of it."
She smirked. "Liar."
They set the traps and waited. The sky turned ink black, winds howling with blood-soaked breath. And then they came.
Crimson-robed riders surged from the valley, their steeds monstrous hybrids—part reptile, part nightmare. Their leader rode a six-legged drake, tall, armored in jagged plates, his silver hair whipping behind him.
"Vaemir," Nysera whispered, voice trembling with hate.
[Mini-Boss Encounter: Vaemir of the Broken Moon — Realm: Astral Sovereign, Tier 7/9]
Status: Enhanced Bloodbinding | Aggression Class: Lethal
Kael stepped forward. "Vaemir! You want her? Come earn her."
The man's gaze flicked to Nysera. "You wear the Crown? Pathetic. She was meant for gods, not halfblood trash."
Kael tilted his head. "You talk too much."
Thalaria launched a bolt of lightning that disrupted the formation. Chaos erupted.
Selene's wards exploded in white fire, shredding two riders instantly. Kael darted through the fray, carving a path toward Vaemir, clashing steel with monstrous riders. Vaeloria channeled a storm of arcane missiles that rained from above.
Nysera cut her way through with brutal grace, blades singing vengeance. She reached Vaemir's flank just as Kael engaged him.
"You shouldn't have lived," Vaemir hissed.
"You shouldn't have tried to break her," Kael replied, parrying a vicious swipe.
Their duel was a ballet of fury. Vaemir's glaive crackled with dark moonfire, clashing against Kael's flame-wreathed sword.
Nearby, Nysera battled a monstrous rider alone. She moved like shadow and moonlight, blades dancing with deadly rhythm. But she was bleeding—slowly, steadily.
Kael noticed. "Nysera, behind!"
She turned too late—a spear grazed her thigh. She stumbled.
Vaemir seized the moment, slashing at Kael's chest. Blood spurted.
[Warning: HP -480. Remaining: 1270/2120]
Selene roared from the ridge. "Don't you dare fall!"
Power surged in Kael's veins. The Crown flared. Time slowed.
He saw every movement—Vaemir's raised blade, Nysera struggling to stand, the enemy closing in on Vaeloria.
[Crown of Sin: Overdrive Mode Activated — Flame of Dominion]
Kael exploded in golden fire. His blade became a whip of burning will, striking Vaemir's armor and shattering part of it.
"Touch her again," Kael growled, "and I'll erase your soul."
He launched into a flurry of strikes, pressing Vaemir back. Behind him, Nysera used the opening to drive her crescent blades into an enemy's neck, blood spraying her armor.
The battle became chaos incarnate. Magic clashed with steel. Screams echoed across the valley.
And finally, Kael struck Vaemir's weapon aside and buried his blade in the man's shoulder. Vaemir howled—but before Kael could finish him, a vortex of shadow swallowed the enemy commander.
[Boss Vanished — Signature Teleport Rune Detected]
[Enemy Retreated. Quest: Nysera's Vengeance — Stage 2 Initiated]
Kael stood panting, blood running down his arms. He turned to Nysera, who had collapsed to her knees.
He caught her before she fell. "You good?"
She nodded faintly. "I am... now."
Thalaria approached, helping lift her. "He'll be back."
Kael nodded. "Then we'll be ready."
That night, under starlight, the group recovered.
Nysera sat beside Kael near the fire, her bandaged leg stretched before her.
"You meant what you said," she murmured.
Kael glanced at her. "Which part?"
"About erasing his soul."
"I'd do worse."
She reached out, fingers brushing his. "You're dangerous, Kael."
He grinned. "You like that."
Her lips curved. "I do."
She leaned in, her breath on his cheek. "I owe you everything."
"You owe me dinner first."
She laughed. It was soft, real.
Then she kissed him—slow, burning, grateful. It wasn't lust. It was surrender.
[System Update: Bond Level with Nysera — 86% → 92%]
[Side Quest Updated: Nysera's Vengeance — Emotional Link Enhanced]
Across the fire, Selene watched with a knowing smile. Vaeloria sipped her tea without comment. Thalaria raised a brow.
"Don't hog all the kisses, Moonfang."
Nysera winked. "Earn your turn."
Kael chuckled. "Oh, it's going to be a long night."
And above them, the system pulsed quietly—marking progress not only in war, but in the forming of bonds deeper than steel.
End of Chapter 29