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Chapter 243 – The Final Hunt
Chapter 243 – The Final Hunt
The night was silent.
Too silent.
Seraphis crouched on the edge of the ruined temple, her white hair barely moving in the still air.
Below her, the final Elder on her list waited.
A towering fortress of obsidian stone loomed ahead, hidden deep in the heart of a forgotten valley.
The last Elder, known only as Eldrik the Hollow, had taken refuge here.
She had hunted down the others.
Now, only one remained.
Her daggers gleamed under the pale moonlight.
"This ends tonight."
She dropped from the ruined ledge, landing soundlessly on the cracked stone floor.
The air was heavy, thick with the presence of something unnatural.
She moved forward, each step precise.
The fortress doors were massive, engraved with symbols that pulsed with a faint violet glow.
Dark magic.
Seraphis pressed her hand against the cold metal.
The moment her fingers touched it, a surge of corrupted energy rushed through her veins.
She gritted her teeth, forcing herself not to recoil.
"You cannot stop what is already in motion."
A voice echoed from the other side.
Seraphis stepped back, drawing her blades.
The doors creaked open, revealing a long, dimly lit hall.
A figure stood at the far end.
Tall. Cloaked in black armor.
Eyes burning with an unnatural glow.
Eldrik the Hollow.
"You have killed my kin. You think you can kill me?"
Seraphis said nothing.
She lunged.
The moment she moved, Eldrik’s hand rose.
A wave of black chains erupted from the ground, aiming for her limbs.
She twisted, flipping over them, her daggers flashing.
A single strike—
But Eldrik vanished.
Seraphis landed on the cold floor, her senses on high alert.
The chains whipped around, slamming into the walls with a thunderous crack.
A deep laugh echoed.
"Too slow."
Seraphis spun, barely dodging a blast of corrupt energy that shattered the ground where she stood.
Dust and debris filled the air.
Her eyes narrowed.
He was playing with her.
Fine.
She’d make him regret it.
She vanished.
Eldrik’s glowing gaze flicked to the side as she reappeared above him, her daggers arcing downward.
The steel met resistance—
Not armor.
A barrier.
Eldrik raised a hand, his fingers curling.
"Predictable."
The air shook.
A pulse of pure force sent Seraphis flying backward, her body slamming into a pillar.
She grunted, rolling to the side just as another set of chains crashed down where she’d been.
Eldrik strode forward, his presence overwhelming.
"Your skills mean nothing. I have existed for centuries."
Seraphis wiped blood from the corner of her mouth.
"Then I’ll make sure you don’t see another."
She vanished again.
This time, she moved faster, twisting through the air as her daggers found gaps in his magic.
She struck—
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Her blades bit deep into the weak points of his barrier, drawing blackened blood.
Eldrik growled.
A sudden explosion of energy sent Seraphis reeling, but she flipped midair, landing lightly on her feet.
Eldrik clutched his arm, black liquid dripping onto the floor.
"Impressive."
His form shifted.
The black armor peeled away, revealing something else beneath.
His true form.
Seraphis tensed.
His body was elongated, inhuman.
His limbs stretched, fingers turning into clawed talons.
His face twisted, eyes burning with malice.
"Let's see how long you last now."
He moved.
Seraphis barely saw him.
A blur—
A shadow slicing through the air.
She dodged, feeling the rush of wind as his claws barely missed her throat.
She countered, slashing at his side.
But he was already gone.
A cold chill ran through her.
He was faster.
Stronger.
She shifted her stance, eyes scanning the dim hall.
Then—
She felt it.
The air shifted.
She moved—
But too late.
A claw raked across her back, pain exploding through her.
She hit the ground, rolling, her breathing ragged.
Eldrik’s laugh echoed.
"You're slowing down, assassin."
Seraphis clenched her jaw.
She pushed herself up, her daggers glowing.
She’d end this.
No matter what.
Eldrik watched her, his form twisting, becoming darker.
The walls of the fortress began to pulse, as if alive.
"This place feeds me. You cannot win."
Seraphis didn't answer.
She vanished.
Eldrik's eyes darted, tracking her—
But she was already behind him.
She struck, both blades aimed for his spine.
But—
A barrier flared.
Her daggers bounced off.
Eldrik spun, his arm lashing out—
A shockwave of pure darkness crashed into her, sending her slamming into the far wall.
She coughed blood.
Pain ripped through her body.
But she refused to stop.
Eldrik advanced, his claws dripping with corrupted energy.
Seraphis pushed herself up, her vision blurring.
But she was not done.
She gripped her daggers tighter, their edges glowing fiercely.
Eldrik sneered.
"Do you still think you have a chance?"
Seraphis smirked.
"I don’t think. I know."
Her entire body blurred.
Not just speed.
Not just stealth.
Something else awakened.
Her daggers pulsed, absorbing the air itself.
A storm of silver energy erupted from her.
Eldrik’s eyes widened.
For the first time—
He looked afraid.
Seraphis vanished.
And the final battle began.