Chapter 67: Catherine Past VIII

The tendril led Alaric through landscapes that seemed to grow darker with every step. The once lush plains near the Bloodcrown estate had become desolate wastelands, the air thick with an unnatural stillness. Shadows loomed over the jagged rocks, and whispers—inaudible yet unnerving—began to creep into his thoughts.

His hand reflexively hovered near the hilt of his backup blade, though he knew it would be of little use in his current state. He was weakened, wounded, even his vampiric trait not helping him gainst the wounds caused by dark energy, he could only stop them with his blood energy and not heal them yet he is walking a path that he knew might be a trap. Yet his resolve remained firm.

If this is what it takes to protect the Bloodcrown, then so be it, he thought.