THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

The hands of darkness closed in on Luna, wrapping around her like a living shroud, binding her in place. Number 8 staggered to her feet, wiping the blood from her lips, her breathing labored but triumphant. "It's over," she muttered, her voice dripping with vindication as she watched the ominous mass of hands engulf her foe.

But the oppressive gloom of the hall grew darker still. A chill seeped into the air, unnatural and biting. The sensation clawed at Number 8's spine, sending a shiver through her as unease began to creep in. This wasn't right. This wasn't her Temple of the Dead.

"What—what is this?" she hissed, turning in circles as she felt the atmosphere twist into something far more sinister. From the depths of the void, howls echoed—low, guttural, and unrelenting. Each one grew louder, closer, and more menacing.

"No," she cursed under her breath, her confident demeanor fracturing. "She isn't dead!"

The howls turned into a cacophony, a symphony of predators announcing their hunt. Panic gripped Number 8 as she began to backpedal. Her fractured horn glimmered faintly as she summoned her remaining strength and turned to flee.

But the darkness pulsed with life. Luna, now a monstrous silhouette against the void, raised her hands, weaving the very shadows with her clawed fingers. Her celestial voice echoed, powerful and commanding:

"Parade of a Thousand Wolves!"

The shadows obeyed, forming into countless maws, each one snapping and snarling with unbridled ferocity. Their predatory eyes glowed like molten gold, hungry and unrelenting. The hall trembled as the monstrous forms moved in sync, surrounding Number 8 from every direction and destroying her skill.

"You won't escape," Luna whispered coldly, her words a death sentence.

From the center of the void, the shadows coalesced into an enormous wolf's head, its maw wide and brimming with sharp, glistening teeth. It roared, the sound reverberating through the ruins of the castle, shaking the very foundation. With one final lunge, the colossal shadow wolf surged forward, its maw snapping shut on the entire section of the hall where Number 8 stood.

"No!" Number 8's scream was cut short as the monstrous wolf's jaws shredded her form into nothingness. Her last cry was for her companion: "Number 3!"

The wolf vanished into the darkness as silence fell.

****

Outside, those near the castle watched in shock and terror as a colossal shadow wolf's head materialized above the structure, its form swallowing an entire section of the castle before disappearing into the night.

On the guardian's back, Mariana turned, her expression pale, eyes wide in disbelief. "What was that?" she whispered, clutching Elara tightly.

Sir Richard, his grip firm on his sword, stared at the castle with the same bewilderment. "I...I don't know," he admitted, his voice betraying his unease.

Yue, sitting at the forefront of the guardian, studied the dark veil surrounding the castle grounds. The oppressive energy pulsating from it sent chills through her. "This must be the work of the intruders," she speculated, her tone grim.

Litty, still clutching her sword, turned to her mother with urgency. "Can you find a way for us to escape this barrier?"

Yue reached out, her fingertips brushing the strange, throbbing energy of the veil. It felt alien, wrong, and impenetrable. She shook her head. "Not without time to study it. This energy...it's unlike anything I've ever encountered."

Before anyone could respond, a glowing magic circle appeared before them, spinning and crackling with power. Sir Richard immediately took a defensive stance, his blade ready as the circle expanded.

A figure emerged from the light, her form dropping gracefully to the ground.

"Luna!" Yue's voice broke the tense silence, her eyes wide in recognition as she saw the woman now standing before them, her presence commanding and unmistakable.

****

The earth trembled violently beneath their feet, an earthquake erupting with such force that cracks spiderwebbed across the ground. David tightened his grip on his obsidian daggers, maintaining balance as Number 3 took a cautious step back to create distance between them.

Both warriors instinctively craned their heads toward the sky. The colossal shadow of a wolf's head loomed above the castle, its jaws snapping shut on a section of the hall. The eerie darkness that followed was suffocating.

Number 3 cursed aloud, frustration evident in his voice. "Why is this happening? My calculations...they always work!"

David observed him with a sharp gaze, his mind racing. His earlier assumption had been correct—this intruder was undoubtedly the leader. Number 3's movements were precise, calculated, and strong. Yet, there was something off. David could sense that the man was holding back, cautious in his approach.

It was infuriating.

David narrowed his eyes, thinking, He's hiding something. But what? And why won't he fall for any of my traps? Not like his companion.

With a smirk that barely masked his annoyance, David raised his voice. "So, what's the plan, intruder? Feeling the weight of defeat now that your companion is gone? Are you going to surrender, or do I have to finish you off?"

Number 3 remained silent, walking with purpose toward his metallic box weapon. To David's surprise, instead of preparing for another attack, the man sat down atop it.

David clicked his tongue in frustration. "What game are you playing now?" he muttered under his breath. He considered using [Shadow Revolver], but he knew better. Number 3's weapon provided a barrier-like defense that he couldn't easily penetrate. Without Luna's overwhelming force, breaking through it was nearly impossible.

From his perch, Number 3 finally spoke, his tone devoid of hostility. "You've proven yourself, Monarch of Light. This battle is over."

David's aura flared violently, white light erupting around him like a blazing inferno. His irritation boiled over, but just as he was about to act, Luna's voice echoed in his mind through Harem Bond. Explore stories at empire

"David, the Archon is safe. I'm ready to transport you to our location."

David's rage tempered, a smirk replacing his scowl. "Good job," he replied mentally. "Transport me now."

As a magic circle formed beneath him, David took one last look at Number 3, his piercing gaze scrutinizing the seated man. What are you up to?

He recalled the earlier planning session with Luna: her strategy to separate the intruders, Yue's mission to secure the Archon, and their eventual rendezvous point where David would attempt to heal the Archon's condition.

The light of the magic circle enveloped him, and in a flash, he vanished.

Number 3 sighed heavily, leaning forward on his knees. The cracks in his usually stoic demeanor were visible now as he muttered to himself. "I hope Number 1 won't be too mad at me for this."