章節 15: The Healers
The castle of Lord Draegor received news of the arrival of important guests, healers specializing in magic, who were summoned to help Draegor with his deteriorating health. Vaporeon, wary of their ability to sense dark magic, prepared to face potential danger.
As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the castle grounds, Vaporeon stood at the entrance to greet the healers. His eyes, now an intense, almost glowing black, scanned the approaching figures with suspicion. Three robed individuals, each radiating a soft, comforting aura, made their way towards him.
Vaporeon stepped forward, his presence commanding and intimidating. "Welcome to Castle." he said, his voice smooth but laced with an undercurrent of menace. "State your names and purpose."
The lead healer, a tall woman with silver hair and piercing blue eyes, stepped forward. "I am Elara," she said, her voice calm and steady. "These are my colleagues, Thane and Liora. We were summoned by Malchior to aid Lord Draegor in his time of need."
Vaporeon's eyes narrowed as he scrutinized them. "And what makes you think you can succeed where others have failed?"
Elara met his gaze without flinching. "We specialize in magical healing. Our abilities have saved many who were thought beyond help."
Vaporeon's thoughts churned. Their confidence was unsettling, and he could sense an underlying power within them. He needed to keep them close, yet under control. "Very well," he said, stepping aside to let them pass. "But know this: I will be watching you closely. Any sign of deceit or ill intent, and you will answer to me."
Elara nodded, understanding the unspoken threat. "We are here only to help."
As the healers made their way to Draegor's chambers, Vaporeon followed, his mind racing. These healers could sense his dark magic. If they suspected him, they could expose or eliminate him. He needed to act swiftly and decisively.
In Draegor's chambers, the healers set to work. They examined the ailing lord with utmost care, their faces growing increasingly grave. Elara held a crystalline orb above Draegor's chest, its light pulsing in tandem with his heartbeat. As she murmured an incantation, shadowy tendrils became visible, snaking around Draegor's body.
"By the gods," Thane whispered, his eyes widening. "This is no ordinary illness. There are traces of dark magic at work here."
Elara nodded, her expression troubled. "I feared as much. This will not be easy to cure, if it is curable at all."
Liora frowned, glancing at Vaporeon who stood watching with an impassive face. "We must be cautious. The presence of dark magic here... it is strong. Too strong."
Vaporeon's paranoia grew as he listened. His eyes flicked to the orb, noting the shadowy tendrils. He could not let them connect this to him. His mind raced with plans to undermine them.
Later that night, as the healers gathered in a private corner of the castle, their hushed conversation reached Vaporeon's enhanced senses.
"We cannot confront him directly," Elara said, her voice low. "But we must inform the mage guild. Vaporeon is dangerous. The dark magic around Draegor... it's too powerful to be a coincidence."
Thane nodded in agreement. "If the guild finds out we did nothing, it will be our heads. We should leave quietly and send word as soon as possible."
Vaporeon's eyes narrowed as he overheard their plan. So, they intended to report him. They would not live to carry out their intentions.
Returning to Draegor's chambers, Vaporeon found the lord even weaker than before. His once robust frame had withered, his skin pale and clammy. Draegor's breaths came in shallow, labored gasps, his eyes flickering weakly as he recognized Vaporeon.
"My lord," Vaporeon began, his voice low and conspiratorial, "I have reason to believe that these healers are lying about their abilities. They seek to take over the castle."
Draegor's eyes, clouded with pain and confusion, flickered with uncertainty. "What do you mean, Vaporeon?"
"They are not here to help you," Vaporeon continued, his tone urgent. "They intend to usurp your power. We must act quickly. They must be killed to make way for a true healer."
Draegor's brow furrowed. "But... they seem sincere..."
"They are deceivers, my lord," Vaporeon insisted. "Your life and the future of this castle depend on our actions now."
Before Draegor could respond, Malchior stepped forward, his face etched with anger. "This is madness!" he exclaimed. "Killing the healers will provoke the wrath of the mage guild. We cannot afford such a risk."
Draegor's gaze wavered, torn between the two men. "Malchior is right, Vaporeon. The mage guild…"
"The mage guild will not protect us if we allow traitors to poison your mind and seize control," Vaporeon interrupted, his eyes gleaming with fervor. "Trust me, my lord. I have your best interests at heart."
Draegor, weakened and mentally eroded by his illness, finally nodded. "Do what you must, Vaporeon."
Malchior's eyes widened in shock and fury. "No, my lord! This is a grave mistake!"
But Draegor silenced him with a weak gesture. "Enough, Malchior. I trust Vaporeon's judgment."
Vaporeon's mind raced with the possibilities. Malchior's opposition made him a liability. He would have to be dealt with as well. His eyes gleamed with murderous intent as he planned his next move to secure his position and eliminate those who opposed him.
Just as Vaporeon turned to leave Draegor's chambers, a sudden, intense pain shot through his head. He staggered, clutching his temples as a fragmented memory of his past life flashed before his eyes—a vision of a powerful enemy, one he had not yet remembered.
In the vision, a tall figure cloaked in silver armor stood amidst a battlefield, their sword crackling with lightning. Their eyes, filled with righteous fury, bore into Vaporeon. The clash that followed was cataclysmic, shadows and lightning colliding in a deadly dance.
"Who are you?" Vaporeon gasped, the memory receding as quickly as it had come. His heart pounded with both fear and anticipation. Who was this enemy, and were they closer than he realized?
"I must stay vigilant," Vaporeon muttered to himself, forcing the pain aside. "I cannot afford to be blindsided."
As Vaporeon moved through the castle, his thoughts turned to the whispers he had overheard earlier. Servants and guards alike spoke in hushed tones about the recent events.
"Did you hear about the healers?" one maid whispered to another as they cleaned the grand hall. "They were so troubled after examining Draegor."
"I heard them talking about dark magic," the other maid replied, her voice trembling. "They seemed really worried about Vaporeon."
Vaporeon's eyes narrowed as he listened from the shadows. The fear and uncertainty he had sown were taking root, spreading throughout the castle.
Fear breeds obedience, he thought, watching their reactions with satisfaction. And obedience breeds control.
As the night deepened, Vaporeon returned to his quarters, his mind racing with plans and possibilities. The future was uncertain, but Vaporeon was determined to shape it to his will, no matter the cost. He paced his chambers, the shadows flickering around him as he waited for the castle to settle into a deeper silence. The corridors would soon empty, and fewer eyes would be awake to witness his next moves.
In another part of the castle, the healers gathered in a secluded room, their faces etched with concern. Elara, the leader, held a small raven in her hands, its eyes gleaming with intelligence. Thane and Liora stood close by, their expressions mirroring Elara's worry.
Before they began their urgent discussion, Elara glanced around the room. "We need to ensure Vaporeon can't overhear us," she said, drawing a sigil in the air with her finger. "Liora, cast the soundproofing spell."
Liora stepped forward, her hands weaving intricate patterns as she chanted softly. A faint, shimmering barrier formed around the room, silencing their words from any outside listener. "This should keep our conversation private." she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Elara nodded and turned her attention back to the raven. "We must inform the mage guild about what we've discovered," she said, her voice hushed but urgent. "Vaporeon's dark magic is a threat to everyone here. If we don't act now, it might be too late."
Thane nodded in agreement. "But how do we ensure the message gets to them without alerting Vaporeon? He's always watching."
Elara stroked the raven's feathers gently. "This raven is enchanted to fly directly to the mage guild. It will deliver our message swiftly and discreetly. We need to be careful with our words, though. Any mention of this could endanger us all."
Liora, her face pale with fear, glanced towards the door. "Let's do this quickly. We don't have much time."
Elara took a small scroll from her robes and began to write, her hand steady despite the gravity of their task. "To the mage guild, urgent news from Castle Draegor. Dark magic is being practiced here, and we fear for our lives. Vaporeon is not who he seems. Please, send help immediately."
She rolled the scroll tightly and attached it to the raven's leg. "Fly swiftly, and may the gods protect you." she whispered to the bird before releasing it through the open window.
The raven took off into the night, it's dark wings blending with the shadows as it soared towards its destination.
"We need to be careful now," Elara said, turning to her companions. "We must act as if nothing has happened. If Vaporeon suspects us, we won't live to see the help arrive."
Thane and Liora nodded, their faces grim. "Let's return to Draegor's chambers and continue our work," Thane suggested. "The best way to avoid suspicion is to act as if everything is normal."
As they left the room, their hearts heavy with the weight of their actions, the raven flew swiftly through the night sky, carrying their desperate plea for help to the mage guild.
Meanwhile, Vaporeon continued to pace his quarters, unaware of the message that had been sent. His thoughts were consumed with plans and strategies.
He felt the castle grow quieter. The time for action was approaching. The shadows whispered their approval, wrapping around him like a cloak.
"It's time to act." Vaporeon muttered to himself, his voice low and resolute. "No more waiting. I will secure my future tonight."
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票