Veyrn sighed dramatically, stepping further into the fortress. "You should've stayed hidden like a good little fugitive. Malfus's mercy only extends so far, you know. But I suppose you already knew that when you killed Lloyd."
His tone sharpened. "That was a mistake."
Asher's grip on his scythe tightened.
Lloyd was a monster. Killing him was no mistake.
Veyrn turned his head slightly, as if sensing something.
Tch. He's cautious. I need to act now.Asher silently signaled Serena, and in that moment, the ambush began.
With a flick of his wrist, Asher manipulated the blood around them, sending razor-sharp crimson blades toward Veyrn from multiple directions. At the same time, Serena struck from behind, her daggers burning with ethereal blue flames.
Veyrn reacted instantly.
A dome of divine energy exploded from his body, shattering the blood blades and forcing Serena to leap back before she was incinerated.
"So predictable," Veyrn mused, adjusting his gloves. "Did you really think an ambush would work on me?"
Asher cursed. He's fast. But this was far from over.
"Then let's see how you handle this," he muttered.
Blood surged around him, condensing into a massive scythe in his grip. The air grew thick with his crimson aura.
Veyrn tilted his head. "Ah, yes. The little 'blood manipulator.'" A sneer curled his lips. "Let me show you what real power looks like."
The moment Veyrn unleashed his power, the fortress trembled. This chapter is updated by Novel~Fire. (n)et
A suffocating aura of divine energy expanded from his body, crackling like lightning and warping the air. His silver mask gleamed ominously under the faint moonlight as he raised a hand.
"Blessing of Malfus: Divine Shackles."
Golden chains materialized out of thin air, streaking toward Asher like vipers.
Asher barely had time to react before the chains wrapped around him, locking his limbs in place. A searing pain spread through his body—it felt as if the chains were suppressing his blood control.
"Did you really think you could defeat me with mere tricks?" Veyrn said, stepping forward. "I am an SS-rank Priest of the Blood Cross. Your power is insignificant before the will of Malfus."
Asher gritted his teeth, struggling against the chains.
Then—a shadow flickered behind Veyrn.
Her daggers, still burning with ethereal blue flames, sliced through the air toward his exposed back.
At the last second, Veyrn twisted, barely avoiding a fatal blow. One of Serena's daggers cut through his robe, searing his skin.
"Annoying insect," he spat, unleashing a shockwave of divine energy.
Serena flipped back, avoiding the blast.
Asher clenched his jaw. These chains… they're trying to suppress my blood control.
A smirk formed on his lips. Too bad for you, I'm not just limited to blood control.
He exhaled slowly, closing his eyes.
Then—his body burst apart into a mist of blood.
The divine chains collapsed to the ground, empty.
Veyrn's eyes widened. "What—?!"
The blood mist reformed behind him.
Asher materialized in an instant, his scythe already mid-swing.
Veyrn barely managed to twist away, but not fast enough. The blade carved deep into his shoulder. Blood sprayed as he staggered back, his mask cracking from the impact.
"You talk too much," Asher said coldly.
Veyrn growled, clutching his wounded shoulder. "You… bastard!"
Golden energy flared from his wound, sealing it shut.
"You think this changes anything?" he snarled.
Asher rolled his shoulders. "No. But now it's a fair fight."
Veyrn's patience snapped.
"Enough of this. I will end you."
His body flickered—then disappeared.
A golden spear of energy materialized out of nowhere, piercing straight through Asher's chest.
Pain exploded through him. The spear impaled him, pinning him against a crumbling stone pillar.
"Asher!" Serena's voice rang out.
Veyrn smirked. "That's more like it. Now die."
He twisted the spear.
Blood poured from Asher's wound. His vision blurred.
Then—a grin crept onto his lips.
"Idiot," Asher muttered.
Veyrn's smirk faltered.
Then—Asher's body melted into blood once again.
Before Veyrn could react, a storm of blood blades erupted behind him, slicing into his body.
Serena struck at the same time, her daggers plunging deep into his back.
Veyrn screamed, his divine aura flickering.
Asher reformed a few feet away, completely unharmed. "You're not the only one with tricks."
Veyrn stumbled forward, coughing up blood. His divine energy was waning.
Serena didn't hesitate. She dashed forward, aiming straight for his heart.
"Blessing of Malfus: Sanctuary Escape."
A golden light erupted around him—and he vanished.
Silence filled the fortress.
Serena's dagger stabbed through empty air.
Asher frowned, scanning the area with his crimson eyes. "He's gone."
Serena let out a slow breath, lowering her daggers. "Damn it. He escaped."
Asher clicked his tongue. That was close.
Veyrn had been strong—too strong for a straightforward battle. If Asher hadn't played his abilities right, the fight could've ended badly.
Serena turned to him. "You alright?"
Asher nodded. "Yeah. Just pissed he got away."
She sighed. "Well, at least we injured him. That's something."
Asher's gaze lingered on the bloodstained ground where Veyrn had stood.
"You're right. We can't delay. Let's keep moving."
This time, he shaped the blood into wings, their dark crimson hue glistening under the moonlight. Wrapping his arms around Serena, he took off into the sky, soaring toward the border.
Now that their ambush had failed, the Blood Cross would be coming for them.
And Asher wasn't sure they were ready.
Asher flew swiftly through the night sky, his blood-forged wings slicing through the cold wind. Serena held onto him tightly, her eyes scanning the ground below for any signs of pursuit. The Blood Cross wouldn't take Veyrn's death lightly. If anything, they'd be more relentless now.
"They'll come after us with everything they have," Serena muttered, glancing up at Asher.
"I know," he replied. "Which is why we need to reach the Black Hollow Citadel before they catch up."
Serena frowned. "You really think the other god's domain will be enough to stop them?"
"It won't stop them forever, but it'll slow them down. The gods have their own rules. If Malfus's followers break into another god's domain too aggressively, it could start a war between divine factions. Even those lunatics have to think twice before doing that."
Serena nodded, though she still looked uneasy. "And if they don't care about the consequences?"
Asher's expression darkened. "Then we kill them."
Serena sighed, shaking her head. "You make it sound so simple."
Before she could argue, Asher suddenly shifted midair, his eyes narrowing as he sensed movement below.