novelblue
Chapter 208 – The Graveyard of Failures: Part Two
Chapter 208 – The Graveyard of Failures: Part Two
The battle was far from over.
Seraphis and Azrael stood amidst the carnage, the stench of blood and decay thick in the air. Around them, the graveyard rumbled, as if rejecting their very presence.
The undead had not stopped.
More continued to rise, clawing their way out of shattered tombs and ruined graves. Twisted figures, once human, now nothing more than feral husks of their former selves. Some had extra limbs, others had jagged spines of bone protruding from their backs.
And at the heart of it all, something stronger was emerging.
Seraphis gripped her dagger.
"We keep going."
Azrael exhaled, his fingers tightening around his weapons.
"Try not to get buried alive."
And then—the second wave hit.
The Undead Lords Arrive
The ground shook violently, a deep rumble reverberating beneath their feet.
From the largest crypt in the graveyard, two figures emerged.
These were not like the others.
They stood tall, their bodies more intact, their skin pale but unrotted. Their armor was ancient, blackened with age, and adorned with crimson engravings—symbols of a forgotten bloodline. Their eyes glowed a deep red, filled with something the other undead lacked.
Intelligence.
These were no mere feral corpses—they were Undead Lords.
The taller one, clad in a tattered black cape, stepped forward, gripping a long, serrated greatsword. His voice was a low growl, filled with an ancient malice.
"You are not welcome here."
Seraphis smirked, twirling her dagger.
"Neither are you."
The second lord, a broad figure with a rusted battle-axe, laughed darkly.
"We were buried here. This is our domain. You? You are nothing but intruders."
Azrael cracked his knuckles.
"Then let’s evict you."
And then, the true battle began.
The Duel of the Dead
The first Undead Lord struck, moving faster than his size suggested.
His greatsword cleaved through the air, aiming directly for Seraphis’s neck.
She dodged sideways, barely avoiding the blade as it smashed into the ground, sending a shockwave of shattered stone in all directions.
Azrael leapt into action, meeting the second lord’s axe with both daggers. Sparks flew as the weapons clashed, the sheer force of the strike pushing him backward.
The Undead Lords were powerful.
They weren’t just stronger than the mindless corpses—they were faster, more skilled, and completely merciless.
Seraphis twisted behind her opponent, aiming for his spine—
But the Undead Lord anticipated her.
He spun with inhuman speed, his greatsword slicing through the air—
Seraphis barely managed to block with her dagger, the impact sending her skidding backward.
Azrael wasn’t faring much better.
His opponent’s battle-axe was relentless, every swing carrying the force of a boulder. He dodged left, right, back, but every time he tried to counter, the lord blocked with inhuman reflexes.
And then, as the fight raged, the ground split open once more.
More undead swarmed from below, their twisted forms filling the battlefield.
They were running out of time.
Seraphis narrowed her eyes.
It was time to end this.
The Final Strike
The Undead Lord lunged, his greatsword aimed for her heart.
Seraphis didn’t dodge.
Instead, she rushed forward.
The moment his blade came close, she twisted mid-air, her body slipping past the deadly edge—
And then, with one clean motion, she drove her dagger into his throat.
The Undead Lord froze, his glowing red eyes widening.
Seraphis twisted the blade, her voice a whisper.
"Rest."
And then, she ripped the dagger free.
The Lord collapsed into dust.
Azrael followed suit.
Using the brief moment of distraction, he dashed forward, slipping past his opponent’s defenses.
With a single motion, he plunged both daggers into the Undead Lord’s chest.
The second lord let out a final, rasping breath—
And then, like the first, he crumbled into nothing.
The battlefield fell silent.
Seraphis and Azrael stood amidst the ruins, surrounded by the remains of their enemies.
The fight was over.
For now.
The Search Begins
Breathing hard, Seraphis wiped the blood from her blade.
Azrael glanced around.
"They had to be keeping them somewhere."
Seraphis nodded.
"We search the ruins."
They moved through the graveyard cautiously, stepping over broken bodies and shattered tombs.
Then, near the heart of the graveyard, they found them.
Two grandiose coffins.
Seraphis felt it instantly—a presence.
She placed her hand on one of the coffins.
They were not empty.
Azrael stepped beside her, frowning.
"Who do you think—"
Before he could finish, the coffins creaked open.
From within, two female figures stirred.
Their skin was pale, their features eerily similar to Azrael’s. Their long silver hair cascaded over their shoulders, their forms regal even in sleep.
And then—they opened their eyes.
Deep crimson. Just like his.
And then, in unison, they spoke.
"Hello, Mother."
Seraphis felt a chill crawl up her spine.
Azrael took a step forward, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Lilith. Sena."
Lilith’s eyes flickered toward him, her gaze sharp.
"You smell of our brother."
Seraphis nodded.
"He’s alive. I found him."
Lilith’s expression remained unreadable.
"Then take us to him."
Seraphis met her gaze.
Then, she extended her hand.
"By my will, by my blood, by the ties that bind the forsaken to the living, I claim you as kin."
The moment the words left her lips, a crimson glow surrounded them.
The ritual bound them, just as it had with Azrael.
Lilith and Sena closed their eyes, the energy washing over them—
And when it faded, they stepped forward.
"We are yours, Mother."
Seraphis exhaled.
The battle was over.