The chill of the Ascension Cathedral's marble seeped through Renn's tattered cloak, jolting him awake with a low growl. He opened his eyes, his breath forming clouds as the golden and blue light from the stained-glass windows spilled over Seraphina's robe, curled up against him. Her silver hair shimmered like stars, and the amber crystal hummed overhead, filling the air with incense and ozone. Renn propped himself up on an elbow, caught for a moment by her serenity, then cleared his throat, half-awkward, half-teasing. "Good morning, Seraphina. How's it feel to sleep with the grand lord of ducks? Hope I didn't snore too much."Seraphina blinked slowly, her golden eyes flashing as a shy smile curved her lips. "My lord," she said softly, "your… presence is an honor, snores or not." She sat up, adjusting her hood with nervous fingers, a faint blush tinting her cheeks.
A soft creak echoed from the entrance, followed by the rustle of wings against stone. Lilith stood there, leaning against the frame, her black wings folded with a mix of grace and laziness. Her red eyes glinted with a seductive spark as she took a step forward, her voice a respectful purr laced with playful edge. "My lord, am I interrupting a sacred moment? I didn't know you shared the marble with someone so… celestial."
Renn sat up, brushing off dust with a raised eyebrow, his tone wavering between sarcasm and tentative authority. "Easy, Lilith. It's not a big deal, just an impromptu nap. If you want in, there's room, but don't expect me to lend you my cloak." He scratched the back of his neck, flashing a half-smile. "Though I guess a succubus like you doesn't need warming up, huh?"
Lilith tilted her head with a fanged grin, stepping forward with measured grace, letting her wings flutter lightly, brushing the air. "My lord tempts me," she said, her tone sultry but with a hint of restrained mockery. "I'm here to serve, but if you insist, I could cuddle up… with big sister's permission, of course." Her gaze slid to Seraphina with a subtle wink.
Seraphina rose gracefully, blushing, adjusting her robe. "Lilith, please," she murmured, firm yet embarrassed. "My lord, this isn't… proper for a place like this."
Renn stood, stretching with an audible crack, his cloak falling in messy folds. "You're right, Seraphina. This marble's killing me, and I'm not holy enough to stay here pretending. To the sanctuary, ladies. There's work to do, and I'm not freezing for nothing." He glanced at Lilith, still poised, and added with a touch of doubt, "You coming, or staying to pose like a statue?"
Lilith straightened with a fluid motion, her wings fluttering as she sidled up to him, brushing his arm with an almost accidental touch. "As my lord commands," she said, her voice soft but with a mischievous glint. "Though if I may suggest, breakfast here wouldn't hurt… to impress you, of course."
Renn let out a short laugh, nudging her lightly. "Impress me by moving, succubus. If you want food, you find it." He turned toward the exit, walking with a firmer step but still slightly hunched, as if not entirely sure of leading.
Seraphina sighed, following. "Lilith, behave. My lord is right."
Lilith huffed softly, hopping after them with a less theatrical bounce than usual. "Always so serious, big sister. But if my lord says there's work, I'll follow… and maybe surprise him later."
The three stepped out of the Cathedral, dawn staining the sky red as the Templars stood guard outside. Renn gestured vaguely toward the main sanctuary, muttering, "Guess we'll be better off there." The echo of their footsteps mingled with the rustle of Lilith's wings as the light dissolved the night.
The main sanctuary was cloaked in warm shadow, the altar's amber glow casting flickers over the three Templars of the Eternal Order, their silver armor gleaming. Valka waited beside them, her white armor shining calmly, the air thick with incense and hot metal. Renn stopped before the altar, twirling his dagger with a smooth flick, his tattered cloak brushing the floor. A golden screen unfolded before his eyes:
[System]: "The Sacred Order yearns for its full circle, Lord of the Sacred Order. Summon your next devoted nun, a shadow that bares its teeth at the wicked."
Renn raised an eyebrow, his hoarse voice cutting the air with a mix of mockery and tentative authority. "A shadow with teeth, huh? Sounds like someone who could save my skin. Let's give it a shot." He tapped his bracer with a firm but slightly clumsy gesture, and the screen flickered:
[System]: Special Task: Share a memory with Valka to strengthen her bond. Reward: The summoning will ascend to Abbess rank, seventh level.
"A memory with Valka?" he muttered, scratching his neck with the dagger, a low chuckle escaping. "What a sentimental system. Guess I've got no choice."
Lilith tilted her head, her wings fluttering with restrained curiosity. "My lord, what's up? You look… lost all of a sudden?"
Seraphina inclined her head, her tone serene. "My lord, if the Order demands it, it must matter."
Valka stepped forward, her armor creaking softly, blue eyes glinting with calm. "The water listens, my lord. What do you wish to share?"
Renn took a deep breath, halting the dagger with a slightly unsteady motion. "Alright, Valka. I remember when I saw you step out of that lightning bolt, like the sky had split open. I stood there gaping like an idiot, not just because it was impressive, but because… I don't know, it felt like you'd always been part of this. I'm glad you're here." The words came out clumsy but ended firm, resonating in the sanctuary.
Valka smiled faintly, a warm spark in her eyes. "My lord, the water remembers that too. I'm here for you."
[System]: Task completed.
The crystal hummed louder, the floor trembled, and a burst of light and shadow erupted from the altar. Seraphina chanted in Latin, Lilith wove shadows with a playful flick, Valka murmured an aquatic prayer. Nyra, the Vampire-High Elf Abbess, emerged with silent steps, her gray skin glowing under the amber light, purple eyes flashing, white braided hair falling over her black habit with silver runes.
Nyra stopped before Renn, bowing with a grace that sliced the air, her voice soft yet heavy with deep reverence. "My lord, at last I stand before you," she said, rising slowly, her purple eyes locking onto his with a chilling yet warm intensity. "I've dreamed of this moment since the shadows whispered your name, since the Sanctuary's runes foretold the chosen one who'd lead the Order. My life, my strength, my faith—all yours. Let me be the shadow that guards your light and the echo that punishes your foes."
Lilith hopped forward, pointing at her with a finger, wings fluttering with a mix of surprise and wariness. "Nyra! You here? I thought you'd stay in that old sanctuary forever! What, come to steal my spot with my lord?" Her tone was playful, but an edge of unease crept in. Then, with a tentative move, she sidled up to Renn, pressing her chest against his arm while flashing a seductive yet uncertain smile, her wings brushing the air. "My lord, don't let her outshine me, huh?"
Seraphina stepped forward, her robe whispering, her voice sharp and clear as a bell. "Lilith, step away from him. This isn't the time for your childish games. Respect this place's sanctity and Nyra's arrival."
Lilith retreated a step, huffing softly, but her wings fluttered with a touch of defiance as she muttered, "Always so strict, big sister."
Nyra smiled warmly at Renn, but her gaze hardened as it shifted to Lilith. "Lilith, my little pupil, still so restless. I guided you in the Order, shaped your chaos into devotion, but my place is with our lord, not rivaling you." A Veil of Shadows sprang from the ground, darkening the air with a cold hum, her eyes blazing with intensity.
Renn let out a short laugh, twirling his dagger with a half-smile. "Nyra, great entrance and better speech. How do you know Lilith? Tell me before she makes a scene." He scratched his neck, but his tone carried a hint of bossy curiosity.
Nyra drew closer, her gloved hands brushing his with tenderness, her voice trembling with devotion as she elaborated. "My lord, I was the Abbess of the Sanctuary where Lilith arrived, a wild, lost succubus from the Underworld. I found her amid broken shadows, and with patience, I taught her chastity and faith to prepare her for you, the chosen one my visions revealed. Every night I prayed for this day, to stand by your side and offer my power. You're the beacon I've always sought, and my heart beats only to serve you." Her purple eyes flared with pure adoration, her form still as a statue of devotion.
[System]: "Nyra has been summoned to the inner circle of the Lord of the Sacred Order."
[System]: Nyra's profile updated: Vampire-High Elf Abbess, Level 24. Skills: Eternal Shadow Veil, Sacred Blood Bond, Night Whisper, Order's Grace. Special: Nocturnal Devotion Aura (Loyalty 100). Description: A blend of vampire and High Elf, Nyra is an Abbess of the Sacred Order, merging shadowy strength with celestial elegance. Mentor to Lilith and former Sanctuary leader, she serves Renn with absolute devotion, a pillar of power and faith.
Renn whistled low, twirling the dagger as he eyed Nyra sidelong. "This is getting interesting," he murmured, feeling the sanctuary's weight. Then the screen flickered:
[System]: Mission activated: 'Valkyrie's Current.' Deepen your bond with Valka by exploring her vision of the Reliquary. Reward: Immaculate Flame Orb.
"An orb and something with Valka," Renn said, tapping the altar with his dagger, his voice wavering between amusement and doubt. "Nyra, welcome aboard. Let's see what you bring to the team. Lilith, no pouting; there's room for both."
Lilith huffed, nudging Nyra lightly with her elbow, wings fluttering. "Room, he says! This'll get good, my lord. But watch out, Nyra, don't boss me around like before."
Nyra raised an eyebrow, cool but with a hint of amusement. "Behave, Lilith, and I won't have to." Then she turned to Renn, warm. "My lord, I'm ready for your command."
Renn laughed, shrugging. "I like the sound of that. Let's test it out."
Barely had the echo of Renn's words—"Let's test it out"—faded in the main sanctuary when the amber crystal hummed with renewed intensity, casting a warm glow that licked the stone walls. Shadows danced like specters in the corners, and the three Templars of the Eternal Order stood motionless behind Valka, their silver armor glinting, crimson cloaks hanging like clotted blood. Renn rested a hand on the altar, the cold metal biting his palm as he twirled his dagger with the other, its edge flashing. Nyra stepped forward, her black habit whispering against the floor, a faint scent of wilted roses wafting around her as her black linen gloves crossed with contained elegance. Her purple eyes locked onto Renn, glowing with a devotion that warmed the icy air.
"My lord," Nyra began, her voice soft and reverent, tilting her head slightly, the silver runes on her habit catching the amber light. "I've yet to fully prove my worth to you. Crossing the veil to reach here, I sensed a threat: the Cult of the Cursed Ashes lurks to the east. It's a corruption that wounds the land, a black stain that profanes your light and endangers this sanctuary. Let me lead Lilith and the Templars to purge it in your name before it grows."
Renn stopped twirling the dagger, resting it against the altar with a sharp tap, his tone shifting between mockery and clumsy curiosity. "Nyra, a cult already? You just got here and you're piling on extra work. How bad is this that I can't ignore it and leave it for tomorrow?" He scratched his neck, but his eyes betrayed growing interest.
Nyra smiled warmly, her gloved hands clasping delicately. "My lord, it's a cancer that poisons with cursed ashes. I felt it upon my summoning, a dark echo that offends your glory. I want Lilith and me to cleanse it for you, so your will shines from the east to here."
Lilith hopped forward, wings fluttering with a mischievous rustle as she crossed her arms, her voice playful but edged with caution. "Hey, Nyra, I'm not some rookie you need to drag along! What's this, a training trip? Though… smashing stuff with you could be fun." She leaned toward Nyra, nudging her lightly, then spun to Renn with a seductive yet tentative smile, brushing his shoulder with a wingtip. "My lord, you sure you trust her to boss me around? Don't leave me with the strict one too long, huh?"
Seraphina stepped forward, her robe whispering, her tone serene yet firm. "Lilith, enough nonsense. Nyra's right; that corruption must go. Watch over her for our lord. I'll stay to fortify the sanctuary."
Valka advanced a step, her white armor creaking, her voice calm as a lake. "The water murmurs danger to the east, a murky echo. Nyra, your current is strong. I'll stay with the lord, as the Reliquary mission dictates."
Renn drummed his fingers on the altar, eyeing Nyra with a half-smile. "Well, Nyra, looks like you've got a plan. Take Lilith and the three Templars. But hold up—that 'black stain' sounds nasty, and three doesn't cut it for something that big."
Nyra tilted her head, her tone warm. "Your wisdom honors me, my lord. More Templars would make your victory glorious."
The Templar leader spoke, firm, raising her spear slightly. "By the lord's will, we'll obey Nyra. More of us would ensure the purge."
Lilith huffed, hopping toward Renn with a less theatrical bounce, wings brushing the air as she winked. "That's it, my lord! Nyra and I'll make a glorious mess. But don't forget me while you're with Valka, huh?"
Renn chuckled low, tapping his bracer with a clumsy but decisive gesture. "You've convinced me. Nyra, Lilith, you'll go east with more Templars. Seraphina, Valka, we'll stay to prep the sanctuary and tackle that Reliquary business."
[System]: Secondary Mission activated: 'Purge the Ashes.' Send Nyra and Lilith east to eradicate the Cult of the Cursed Ashes. Reward: Chalice of Purification (boosts corruption resistance by 20% for all troops).
Nyra gazed at Renn, warm. "For you, my lord, it'll be perfect."
Renn tapped the altar with his dagger, shrugging. "Then let's gear up. Nyra, you'll get your full team."
With the promise of a full team still fresh in the air, the sanctuary thrummed beneath Renn's boots, the amber crystal humming with a glow that lit the wall's cracks. The three Templars of the Eternal Order waited behind Valka, their crimson cloaks still, rune-etched spears pulsing. Nyra stood beside him, her black habit whispering, black linen gloves crossed with elegance. Lilith hovered nearby, wings fluttering subtly, while Seraphina and Valka watched from the altar's edge, the air thick with ozone and old incense.
Renn activated his bracer with a clumsy flick, the blue hologram buzzing as he scratched his neck with the dagger, his tone mocking yet hesitant. "Well, Nyra, if I promised you a team, I've got to deliver, right? Let's pull out some more Templars, though I'm not sure if this'll cost me an arm and a leg."
[System]: "The Ascension Cathedral allows summoning additional troops: 500 Sacred Energy Crystals and 200 Epic Materials per unit. Current resources: 129,450 Sacred Crystals, 600 Epic Materials."
Nyra tilted her head, her purple eyes glowing with gratitude. "My lord, your trust honors me. With them, your will shall purge the east." Her gloved hands tightened subtly.
Lilith stepped forward with measured grace, wings brushing the air as she tilted her head toward Renn, her voice a playful purr laced with respect. "My lord, sure there's not one for me? I could impress them for you." Her gaze slid to him with a subtle wink, retreating from Nyra's frown with a stifled giggle.
Renn let out a short laugh, shrugging. "Easy, Lilith, they're for fighting, not you. Behave, or Nyra'll straighten you out."
Seraphina crossed her arms, her robe whispering, her tone serene yet firm. "My lord, Nyra will lead them well, and the water flows with them for your cause."
Renn drummed his fingers on the altar, tapping the bracer with a firmer motion. "Guess three more, then. Let's test this."
[System]: "Summoning initiated. Cost: 1,500 Sacred Crystals, 600 Epic Materials. Remaining resources: 127,950 Sacred Crystals, 0 Epic Materials."
The altar roared, a whirlwind of light and steel erupting, blinding the sanctuary. Lilith flinched back, shielding her eyes with a wing. "My lord, a heads-up wouldn't hurt!" Three new Templars emerged, crimson cloaks billowing, spears gleaming. They knelt: "We are the spear of your will, my lord."
Renn whistled low, twirling his dagger with a half-smile. "Six Templars now. Not bad, huh? What do you say?"
Nyra smiled warmly, her gloved hand brushing the air near him. "My lord, your will shall purge the east with them. Thank you."
Lilith tilted her head, wings fluttering as she eyed a spear from afar. "My lord, those spears could come in handy… though Nyra won't let me touch them, right?" Her wink at Nyra earned a frown.
Renn laughed, nudging her lightly. "No, Lilith, they're Nyra's. Stay put."
Renn slapped the altar with his palm, hunching slightly. "Well, guess it's settled. Nyra, Lilith, take them to the Cult. Seraphina, Valka, we'll stay to prep this… and figure out that Reliquary thing, 'cause I'm not freezing again."
Nyra tilted her head, warm. "For you, my lord, it'll be perfect."
Lilith stepped forward, brushing Nyra with a wing as she passed, her tone playful. "Come on, Nyra! Let's see if you boss me around less this time."
Renn laughed, shrugging. "Good luck, ladies. Nyra, make it worth it. Lilith, don't make me tie you up."
The six Templars followed Nyra and Lilith toward the exit, their boots echoing. Renn glanced at Seraphina and Valka, muttering, "Guess we've got work too."
The echo of the six Templars' boots reverberated as they left the sanctuary, fading into the eastern forest—a labyrinth of twisted shadows where bare branches creaked under their confident march. Their silver armor glinted between the trees, crimson cloaks fluttering like a living whisper against the muted gray, rune-etched spears glowing with a faint light that barely pierced the gloom. Nyra led with steady steps, her black habit brushing the damp ground, the scent of wilted roses trailing her like a subtle echo. In her gloved hands, she held the Chalice of Revelation, entrusted by Renn, its golden surface warm to the touch. Lilith walked beside her, humming a soft tune that bounced between the trunks, her black wings grazing low branches with a silken rustle, the air thick with wet moss and a hint of rot they barely noticed.
Lilith hopped over a root, boots splashing mud, and spun toward Nyra with a sly grin. "Hey, Nyra, still can't believe we're here, with our lord in the flesh. Isn't it wild?"
Nyra chuckled low, a warm sound that softened her elegant face. "Lilith, it's like every minute's a gift since I crossed the veil. Seeing him, serving him… it's more than I dreamed of in the Sanctuary. And you? How's he treated you?"
Lilith tilted her head, wings fluttering with a playful gleam. "Well, I'm sleeping with him, you know? He cuddles up to me and uses my chest as a pillow. Adorable, right? But, see, I'm still a good girl—nothing more than that for now."
The Templar leader, walking behind with her spear resting on her shoulder, let out a dry chuckle. "That's more than I expected from you, Lilith. Our lord deserves all of us, don't you think?"
Nyra nodded, her smile turning mischievous yet devout. "Exactly, Eryn. The soul's not enough; we've got to give him everything. If you don't step up soon, Lilith, I'll jump ahead and offer myself. He's too divine to keep waiting."
Lilith huffed, brushing Nyra with a wing as she laughed. "Hey, you're quick! Though, not gonna lie, it's tempting. What about you, Eryn? Already thought about how to serve him fully?"
Eryn, the Templar leader, adjusted her helm with a casual flick. "He's a god, Lilith. Every strike I land is for him, but I won't deny I think about it. We all do." The other five Templars nodded, one with a deep voice adding, "It's our duty—and an honor."
Another Templar, younger and quick to laugh, chimed in from the back. "I say we do it together sometime. Imagine his face, all of us showing up with that idea. It'd be epic!"
Nyra laughed again, shaking her head. "You're incorrigible. But it's not a bad idea. Our lord deserves our best."
Lilith skipped ahead, spinning to walk backward in front of Nyra. "Speaking of the best, did I tell you what happened two nights ago? He was snoring, all sprawled out on me, and mumbled something about ducks. Ducks, Nyra! Isn't that the cutest thing you've ever heard?"
Nyra raised an eyebrow, amused. "Ducks, huh? Sounds like him. He's got that rare spark that makes him so… unique. That's why we follow him, I suppose."
Eryn nodded, her tone relaxed. "A god with style. He's got us all out here, chatting like this forest isn't about to give us some trouble."
Lilith laughed, flapping her wings. "Oh, please, the Ash Nest? That's a walk in the park. We'll sweep it like it's dust in the Sanctuary. Right, ladies?"
The Templars murmured agreement, one slamming her spear into the ground with a dull thud. "Some skeletons and robed lunatics. Nothing we haven't crushed before."
Nyra smiled, raising the Chalice with an almost casual gesture. "Well, let's see how easy it is." She activated it with a soft murmur, and a golden screen appeared before them all:
[System]: "You've used a Chalice of Revelation. The Mist of Faith dissipates. Countdown: 10, 9, 8…"
The gray fog melted away, revealing a vast clearing: the Nest of the Cult of the Cursed Ashes. Hundreds of skeletons clawed up from the ground like a tide of crunching bone, their clumsy movements a chorus of dry snaps. Dozens of dark priests in gray robes dotted the field, their eyes glowing with a sickly gleam, hands raised as they wove spells that darkened the air with floating ashes. At the center, a High Priest loomed over a bone altar, his robe rippling with dark energy, a twisted staff in hand casting shadows that licked the ground like hungry tongues. The golden screen flared before them:
[System]: "You've uncovered the Nest of the Cult of the Cursed Ashes. Destroy its core to claim this territory. Rewards: 1,000 Sacred Crystals, 500 Epic Materials, Advanced Building Blueprint (Sacred Order)."
"For our lord," Nyra said, her voice firm yet relaxed. "Lilith, show your worth. Make it quick."
Lilith grinned, serpentine shadows sprouting from her hands. "A cleanup game for my lord! Let's go, ladies."
The battle erupted like a holy tempest, the ground shaking under the weight of hundreds of foes. The Templars charged like an unstoppable force, their spears slicing the air in a symphony of light and steel. Eryn, the leader, spun her weapon in a golden arc that shattered twenty skeletons, bones exploding into fragments that peppered the trees like shrapnel. "Too easy!" she shouted, her cloak billowing as she leaped onto a priest, her spear piercing him with a wet crunch, smoking ashes rising from his form. Another Templar, swift and sharp, blocked a torrent of dark magic with her runed shield, the impact booming like a cannon shot that toppled nearby branches. "Pathetic!" she growled, countering with a strike that split three skulls, bone bursting into dust. The remaining four formed a spinning whirlwind, their spears tracing golden lines that mowed down entire waves, a vortex of death leaving the ground strewn with shattered remains, their crimson cloaks twirling like fiery wings. Hundreds fell beneath their assault, the air thick with ashes and the crack of broken bones, the forest trembling before their absolute dominion.
Lilith darted between trees, laughing as she wove illusions that cloaked priests in dancing shadows. "Dance for me!" she sang, making a group turn on each other, their misfired spells crashing into skeletons in bursts of dust. A priest hurled a dark bolt at her, but she dodged with a nimble twirl, her wing slicing the air, and snared him with a shadowy tendril that reduced him to ashes. "This is for my lord! How's that, Nyra? Am I shining?"
Nyra smirked, advancing toward the High Priest. "Not bad, Lilith. Now watch this." The priest raised his staff, unleashing a torrent of shadows that roared like a storm, uprooting trees and kicking up clouds of dirt. Nyra dodged with a fluid leap, her habit fluttering like a banner in the wind, and charged him with a speed that defied the chaos. "For my lord," she murmured, her voice soft yet fervent. The priest cast a second spell, a wall of dark energy buzzing like a swarm, but Nyra pierced it with an Eternal Shadow Veil, the barrier shimmering as it absorbed the blow, her gloves flaring with crimson energy. She closed the distance in an instant, her fist smashing the staff with a crack that splintered it, wood flying in shards. The priest staggered back, weaving a shadowy shield, but Nyra shattered it with a brutal strike to his chest, bone crunching under her strength, his form reeling. "Your corruption won't touch his light," she growled, spinning to kick his legs with a sharp snap, toppling him to the ground. As he gasped, she raised a hand, a Sacred Blood Bond draining him in a red flash that lit the clearing, his life dissolving in a choked scream. With a final move, Nyra leaped and drove her fist into his skull, a Night Whisper erupting in a black beam that reduced him to ashes, the dust rising like a cloud that darkened the sky for a moment.
The Templars swept through the remnants, their spears demolishing the last hordes in a lethal dance. Eryn plunged her weapon into the Nest's core—a pulsing black orb atop the altar—the burst of white light blinding the forest, hundreds of foes collapsing in a rain of ashes that coated the ground like filthy snow.
Nyra lowered her hands, the dust settling, her breathing steady. "For you, my lord, the path is clear."
Lilith panted, bounding over with a laugh that echoed through the trees. "Nyra, you're such a boss! Look at this—wasn't it awesome? My lord would be proud of us!"
Nyra glanced at her sidelong, her smile warm yet sharp. "Not bad, Lilith. Though I still say if you don't offer yourself to him soon, I will. A god like him deserves everything."
Eryn laughed, resting her spear on her shoulder. "She's right. We're ready for that too. What do you say, Lilith? Beat us to it yet?"
Lilith huffed, flapping her wings. "Hey, I've got him as a pillow! But I guess we all want a piece of him, don't we?"
The young Templar joined in, giggling. "Let's plan something big when we get back! Something huge for our god."
Nyra nodded, gazing at the horizon, a whisper escaping her lips. "Every step is his."
The eastern forest settled into a heavy silence after the victory. The bone altar that once housed the Cult of the Cursed Ashes' core lay in smoldering rubble, black fragments scattered among twisted roots, the air thick with an echo of ozone and rot. Nyra knelt beside the remains, her black habit whispering against the damp ground, her black linen gloves sliding with precision over a pile of faintly glowing Sacred Crystals. With an elegant motion, she raised her storage ring—a silver band with a purple rune—and the crystals dissolved into a stream of light that merged into the ring. Beside her, Lilith hummed a soft tune, her black wings brushing the ground as she gathered the territory blueprints and a handful of Epic Materials, stashing them in her own ring with a quick wrist flick.
The six Templars formed a protective semicircle, their silver armor scratched and ash-streaked, crimson cloaks swaying in the cold breeze. Eryn, the leader, leaned on her spear, her fierce gaze sweeping the forest, while the other five patrolled the perimeter with steady steps, their golden runes still pulsing with residual light.
Lilith straightened, shaking mud off her boots with an exaggerated flourish. "Well, Nyra, how's our haul? These crystals shine so bright my lord's gonna be dazzled when he sees them."
Nyra smiled warmly, adjusting her ring with a faint creak. "It's a worthy tribute for him, Lilith. Though you could hurry up a bit—we're not picking flowers here."
Eryn grunted, her tone dry but tinged with camaraderie. "Only if they bring beer after. This mess was a good warm-up for our god."
A loud crunch shattered the silence, heavy, clumsy footsteps echoing from the trees. The Templars spun in an instant, spears raised, as Nyra and Lilith looked up. A band of male elves emerged from the gloom: mages in tattered green robes, their glowing staffs dulled by mud, and warriors with notched curved swords, their faces bruised and streaked with dried blood as if fresh from a fight. Leading them was Eryndor, an elf with a serene face and sharp eyes, his green robe torn at the shoulder, a staff in hand flickering with faint green light. Beside him, a fiery-eyed subcommander gripped his sword hilt, tension vibrating in his battered shoulders.
A golden screen flared before them all:
[System]: "You've encountered the forces of Lord Ardyn, ruler of the Elven Woods."
The elves halted abruptly, their faces splitting into stunned disbelief at the sight of the women in the ravaged clearing. Eryndor stepped forward, raising a hand in a chivalrous gesture, his voice calm and measured. "I'm Eryndor, captain of Lord Ardyn. We didn't expect to find you here. We thought we were alone in this cursed nest." His gaze drifted to Lilith, tracing her form with a lustful glint that made him swallow hard, his cheeks flushing before he recomposed himself. "My men have fought these creatures for days. We stumbled here, sent by our lord to destroy it. Seems you've finished the job—and done it well."
Lilith narrowed her eyes, her playful grin fading into a cold, cutting stare, her voice ringing with an elegant edge. "Watch where you put those eyes, elf. My body's an altar for my lord, not a feast for insolent bugs like you." Her wings rose slightly, a warning as she crossed her arms, her devotion blazing in every word.
Eryndor cleared his throat, raising his hands to placate. "Apologies, I meant no offense. I see you've faced trouble here, same as us. But my men have shed blood for this place. We believe most of the enemies fell by our hands. I propose a fair split: we take the lion's share of the loot, and you keep something for your effort."
Eryn stepped forward, her spear slamming the ground with a dull thud, her voice trembling with fury. "What did you say, you insolent elf? Dare to claim what's our lord's? These resources are his, and I won't tolerate your gall! Let them come back, and their woods will be ashes for our god." Her eyes blazed, her crimson cloak flaring like a flame.
Another Templar, deep-voiced, advanced with her spear aimed low, her tone sharp. "How dare they speak of loot in our presence! This belongs to our lord, not some filthy elves."
A third, younger, growled with disdain, her spear flashing. "Blood for days, they say! We ended hundreds in minutes. Their wounds mean nothing here."
The subcommander half-drew his sword, the metallic scrape slicing the air, his voice quaking with rage. "Insolent fools! We've fought while you played at scavenging! This is ours by right!" His fiery gaze locked on Nyra, his hand trembling on the hilt.
Nyra raised a hand, her purple gaze icy as it cut through the clearing, her voice cold and lethal. "Silence, vermin." An Eternal Shadow Veil surged from the ground, a dark wall rising between them and the elves, shadows twisting with a low roar that shook the earth. "These resources are my lord's, a god you're not worthy to even glimpse. One more step, and my shadows will grind you to dust." Her tone trembled with fanatical devotion, her gloves tightening with a creak.
Eryndor frowned, his negotiating tone hardening. "Listen, we don't seek war. My men are wounded but not weak. We can split this: sixty percent for us, forty for you. It's fair, given what we've lost. This forest is near our lands, and Lord Ardyn won't take kindly to you taking it all."
Lilith laughed coldly, her voice sharp. "Fair? The only fair thing is you leaving before my lord has to come clean up your remains. We don't bargain with thieves."
More footsteps echoed, and a second group of elves emerged: ten fresh warriors, their curved swords gleaming, flanked by three mages with staffs humming green energy. The subcommander smirked with contempt, turning to Eryndor. "Look, captain! Reinforcements. We outnumber them now. We shouldn't back down from these women. We can take what's ours and teach them their place."
Eryndor hesitated, his staff flickering as he weighed the shadow wall and the Templars. "Don't be a fool, Kael. They're battered, but their power's real. If we fight, we lose more than we gain."
Kael, the subcommander, took a step forward, his sword fully drawn, his voice roaring. "Coward! They're just a handful against us! We can crush them and take it all. Lord Ardyn won't forgive us slinking back like dogs!"
Eryn raised her spear, aiming at the subcommander, her tone fierce. "Try it, you stupid elf! I'll cut out your tongue before you touch a single crystal of my lord's."
Another Templar, deep-voiced, growled. "Let them all come! Their reinforcements are nothing against our god's will."
Nyra stepped forward, the Veil of Shadows swelling, serpentine tendrils rising like living claws. "Last warning. Flee, or your woods will weep ashes for generations." Her voice was a lethal whisper, her eyes blazing with contained fury.
Eryndor gripped his staff, his calculating gaze shifting from Nyra to his men. "Kael, sheathe that sword. We're not dying today for pride. We withdraw, but this isn't over. Lord Ardyn will hear of your theft, and we'll return prepared." His tone was firm, but caution ruled him.
Kael sheathed his sword with a harsh slam, spitting on the ground. "Damn witches! This isn't done. Your shadows won't save you forever." His eyes burned with a vow of vengeance.
Nyra lowered her hand, the veil dissipating with a whisper, turning to the resources without sparing them another glance. "Flee, then. Your threats are dust before my lord." Her voice was dismissive, her form still as a statue of devotion.
Lilith whistled, her tone cold but with a playful lilt at the end. "That was fun, Nyra! You made them shake like dry leaves. My lord's gonna laugh when I tell him how these bugs crawled back to their trees."
Eryn relaxed her spear, grunting. "Stupid elves. Let them dare return, and their woods will be ashes for our god."
A young Templar laughed, her spear flashing. "Poor fools! Even their reinforcements couldn't save them from leaving empty-handed."
Nyra stored the last crystal in her ring, her smile faint but satisfied. "For our lord, all this is his. Let them remember that if they want to live." Her purple eyes glowed, gazing toward the horizon where the elves' footsteps faded.
The clearing fell silent, ashes settling slowly, the cold wind whispering through the ravaged trees.