Chapter 295
The stillness of the forest shattered as shadow beasts emerged from the treeline, their glowing red eyes fixed on the siblings. The creatures moved with terrifying coordination, driving Elyra and Dain toward an abandoned ruin partially hidden by overgrown vines.
Dain’s instincts took over, his blade flashing as he felled the first beast. “It’s a trap!” he shouted, but the beasts pressed them onward, relentless in their pursuit.
At the entrance to the ruin, Jason stepped out of the shadows. His once-human form was twisted and grotesque, dark veins crawling across his skin, his red eyes burning with obsession.
“Elyra,” Jason said, his voice dripping with desperation. “Stop running. Come with me. Let me protect you the way he never can.”
Elyra froze, her heart pounding. “Jason… what’s happened to you?”
Dain moved between them, his growl low and dangerous. “Stay away from her.”
Jason’s lips curled into a sneer. “You think you can keep her safe? You don’t even know what she is.”
The fight began in a flash of fury. Jason attacked with raw, monstrous strength, his movements fueled by dark magic. Dain met him head-on, every blow he landed precise and deliberate. The air crackled with tension as the two clashed, their growls and the sound of steel on flesh echoing in the ruin.
Elyra tried to channel her powers, but a surge of dark energy enveloped her, stealing her strength. Xytriana emerged from the shadows, her crimson eyes gleaming with satisfaction. “Poor little wolf,” she purred. “Did you think your power could rival mine?”
Elyra’s knees buckled, her silver hair dimming as Xytriana’s magic took hold. “Why are you doing this?” Elyra gasped.
Xytriana smirked. “Because you’re the key, my dear. And I always get what I want.”
Dain roared, his fury doubling as he fought to reach Elyra. Jason, equally enraged, blocked him at every turn. The ruin seemed to close in around them, the walls reverberating with the force of their battle.
In a desperate move, Dain broke through Jason’s defenses, slamming him into a crumbling pillar. The structure groaned under the impact, and dust filled the air as part of the ceiling collapsed. Seizing the chaos, Dain grabbed Elyra, his strength nearly spent.
“We’re leaving,” he growled, lifting her into his arms and bolting through the wreckage.
Shadow beasts gave chase, but Dain’s determination was unyielding. When they finally reached safety, Elyra clung to him, trembling.
“They’ll keep coming,” Elyra whispered, her voice cracking.
“Let them,” Dain said, his voice sharp with anger. “I’ll kill every one of them before I let them take you.”
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