As long as she remained his hostage, Zarek wouldnt attack.
After all, all these tricks to control the castle were the only thing he could actually dohe was still imprisoned in the most hidden and dangerous dungeon.
Out of nowhere, Dante's sensitive ears picked up the whistle of air and the murderous magic heading straight for him.
Every instinct screamed at him to drop to the ground, and he obeyed.
He threw himself onto the cold iron floor of the bridge, holding Celine tightly in his arms as she trembled, her teeth chattering, her eyes shut tight and brimming with moisture.
Tf you keep pushing her like this, you'll turn her into an idiot before you can even use her to blackmail Zarek, he said, standing up and leaving Celine leaning against a corner of the bridge, away from the dark shadows and close to him.
Td rather fry her brain than let you be the one to benefit from her, Merkall spat blood to the side, the scent of it thick in the air.
A lot of his people had to sacrifice themselves to create an opening for his escape.
That damn vampire! He had to end him here and now.
T think we both know that only one of us can rule, right? So, our rivalry ends herethe survivor will be the next to control the Dark Realm, Dante declared with a sinister smile.
He was done with this old fool.
---- Baring his fangs and extending his claws, he was ready to go all out.
Ina blur of movement, Dante was on top of Merkall.
But the sorcerer was no amateurhe was an experienced spellcaster.
Summoning a shield, Merkall deflected the vampire's claws, sparks flying in the air as they clashed, and so the deadly battle began.
Each attack was aimed to kill; Dante moved like the wind, striking with such precision that the warlock was left sweating, struggling to maintain his energy shield, which drained his magic rapidly.
Asudden roar erupted from Merkall, releasing a blast of fire from deep within his throat, forcing Dante to retreat, the hem of his coat catching fire.
The bridge trembled with the sharp clatter of chains swinging violently.
The walls echoed with hissing breaths, curses, and the pungent scent of blood filled the air.
Then, Merkall let his guard down for just amomentan opportunity Dante wouldnt waste.
He lunged, knocking the warlock to the ground and pressing both hands around his throat.
T think you're out of tricks.
You never win against a superior being like me, you pathetic spell-caster.
Just die already! Dante tightened his grip with cruel delight, his claws digging into Merkall's fragile flesh.
The warlocks eyes widened in terror.
Dante was so engrossed in his victory that he failed to notice the change in Merkalls expressionuntil it was too late.
T think...
I still have one trick up my sleeve, Merkall rasped with a with a gust of wind and flinging him off the edge of the bridge like worthless trash.
Aguttural scream echoed through the abyss before silence took over.
Come on, my dear little puppet.
Its time to finish this...
---- bloody grin.
Alarms blared in Dantes mind, but before he could turn to defend himself, a sharp dagger pierced through his chest from behind.
His gaze dropped in disbelief to the blade protruding from his torso, his clothes rapidly staining red.
Before he could react, the dagger was yanked out roughly, ripping a guttural scream from him.
You...
you...
fucking bastard! He staggered forward, his crimson eyes locking onto Celine, who simply stared blankly, unaware of what she had just done.
Her trembling, blood-stained hand still clutched the poisoned weapon.
You forgot I still had a puppet at my disposal...
Merkall's ragged voice hissed in Dantes ear, foul breath brushing against his skin.
Dante clutched his chest, feeling life slipping away.
It couldnt end like thisso quickly, so easily.
He had only let his guard down for a second.
But in war, a second was all it took to die.
Thats why...
you lowered your guard...
Dante realized too late.
Did you think you were the only one who could lie and deceive? Thats always been your biggest mistake believing yourself to be the best, the superior being.
Tsk, tsk, you're nothing but an arrogant fool.
711 kill you, you and that bitch...
damn...
Dante staggered toward Merkall with his last ounce of strength, his bloodied hands reaching for the warlocks wounded neck, but Merkall only sneered.
You can try in the afterlife; in this one, Ive already screwed you over, Merkall laughed mercilessly, using his power to lift Dante into the air
Novel The Lycan King and His Dark Temptation Chapter 258The Lycan King and His Dark Temptation
Chapter 258Chapter 258---- NARRATOR "AAAHHH!" What's happening?!" "The ceiling is going to collapse!" "Everyone, get out! Get out of the aqueduct!" Screams echoed from all directions, whether they were vampires or sorcerersit didnt matter.
As the walls trembled and stones rained down from above, everyone scrambled desperately to find an exit.
Someone was shaking the very foundations of the old aqueduct from above.
In the midst of the darkness and the collapsing narrow tunnels, it didnt matter if they were friend or foe.
They trampled over each others heads, summoning their powers to escape the crushing death looming over them.
The shock was even greater when, upon reaching the streams exit, they were met by an army of Lycans waiting in the forest.
The survivors of the previous battle were exhausted and mostly wounded, while these elite werewolves stood at their peak, hungry for blood.
TEAR ALL THE REBELS APART!" The Lycan King's roar ignited the battlefield spirit.
---- Adeafening thunderclap struck from the sky.
The enormous and wild redhead led his men, shifting mid-stride into an indomitable, towering Lycan that sent fear piercing into the hearts of his enemies.
His dark fur was soon soaked in blood as bodies fell under his merciless claws and fangs.
Behind him, like a rabid pack, battle wolves lunged at the vampires and sorcerers.
Without a leader and driven only by the instinct to survive, they thought of nothing but escape.
Among the trees, hidden away, was Laila with her small escort.
Her father had left her safe at their camp, but a terrible feeling gnawed at her heart.
She arrived just in time to witness her people being slaughtered mercilessly by the ambushing werewolves.
"Laila, we have to leave before they find us," the crouching sorcerer beside her urged nervously, his eyes fixed on the bloodbath that could freeze the soul of even the bravest warrior.
"No, no, my father...
1 dont see him, but hes still aliveI can feel him in the castle.
He1l succeed...
he has that woman in his grasp..." Laila shook her head, gripping his trembling arm with fear, but she trusted her fatherhe was cunning and powerful; he wouldnt fail! The crack of a branch nearby signaled someone closing in on their location.
"So this is where Merkalls bastard daughter is hiding.
Thanks to your tricks, my people perished!"
Her frantic mind raced.
She might not have been strong, but she was clever.
She had harmed the princes betrothed, and if he had allowed her into his lands, it wouldnt be for anything good.
---- A group of wounded vampires in retreat had discovered them and lunged at the three spies.
They couldnt defeat the Lycan King, but they could take out some of their hatred on this wench and her men.
The fight broke out in that part of the forest; the two sorcerers faced off against the three injured vampires.
Even so, they couldnt defeat them easilyafter all, they were elite vampires.
Those bloodsuckers were possessed by vengeance and the burning need for retribution.
"Take Laila and go! Ill hold them off!" "Pm not leaving you, brother!" the other sorcerer shouted, raising an earthen shield from the ground that made the surrounding trees shake.
"RUN, LAILA, RUN!" he yelled at the stubborn woman, and they hadnt left her behind until now, still holding onto the hope that their leader would take control.
They didnt want to be branded traitors in case Merkall emerged victorious, but they wouldnt split upthey were brothers, and they wouldnt sacrifice themselves for this deceitful woman.
Laila finally bolted, running blindly, without direction.
Her magic wasnt strong; she was more of a healer, which gave her little advantage in battle.
Soon, amidst her desperate escape, she heard the savage growls of the wolves hunting down those fleeing through the forest.
They sought refuge in the darkness, taking to the skies, but no one could hide from the keen noses of the death wolves.
Lailas lungs were failing, and her legs constantly stumbled over roots ---- and the hem of her skirt.
Something was closing in on her; she could almost feel the bloody breath and open jaws ready to snap at her head.
The trees parted, and she saw a tall fence aheadshe didnt stop to think where it led.
She placed her hands on the rusted iron bars, covered in wilted flowers and dead vines, and climbed with her last ounce of strength.
Looking back in terror, she saw a colossal white Lycan emerge from the bushes, its murderous eyes locked onto her, and it roared, shaking even the fence as it bared its massive fangs, still dripping with blood.
That was enough for Laila to hurl herself over the fence, crashing to the ground with a painful cry.
Her leg was in bad shape, pierced by the sharp spike at the top of the fence.
She limped, fleeing into the cemetery, weaving between the ancient tombstones and gnarled trees.
Clutching her chest, gasping for air through her mouth, she dared to look back after a while and realizedno one was chasing her.
Before she could celebrate her escape, a deep sense of regret and fear filled her mind.
Why hadnt the Lycan pursued her? Then, Laila looked around; the moonlight couldnt pierce the dense clouds, and darkness closed in from all sides.
The hairs on her body stood on endshe was in the cemetery.
The old crosses and statues, with missing pieces, seemed to be mocking her with their hollow eyes.
"T have to get out of here...
no...
I wasnt supposed to be able to pass through the barrier..."