The night air burned with the heat of silver fire, casting eerie shadows against the trees as the Hunters' Order advanced. Mary could feel the power coursing through her veins, the Blood Covenant thrumming like a second heartbeat.
She had been hunted, she had been forced to run. But now—now, she was going to fight.
Lela was already on the move, her spear Gáe Bolg gleaming in the flickering light. She dashed forward, a blur of motion, striking down the first hunter in her path. The counterbalance of her spear allowed her to twist and spin with perfect precision, a whirlwind of death.
Loosie, though smaller in stature, was just as fierce. She moved with a deadly grace, her twin daggers slicing through the air as she engaged two hunters at once. They were armored, but she was faster.
Mary, however, was different.
She took a deep breath and focused. The shadows around her pulsed and coiled, wrapping around her arms like living tendrils. She could feel the Blood Covenant strengthening her, making her movements sharper, her reflexes faster.
One of the hunters lunged at her with a silver-coated blade. She barely had to think—her body reacted on instinct. With a flick of her wrist, she willed the darkness to rise.
The shadows surged upward like a tidal wave, knocking the hunter off balance. Mary seized the opening, closing the distance in a heartbeat. Her saber gleamed as she slashed across his chest, cutting through his armor like paper.
The hunter gasped, stumbling backward, and Mary didn't hesitate. She twisted, bringing her blade down in a final, merciless strike. The hunter crumpled.
Another one took his place almost instantly.
This one carried a massive greatsword, etched with glowing runes. He was taller than her, broader, and his eyes burned with hatred.
Mary exhaled, gripping her saber tighter.
The hunter swung.
She dodged at the last second, the blade slicing through empty air. The force of the strike left a deep gash in the ground, but Mary didn't give him time to recover. She dashed forward, slashing at his exposed side.
He managed to block, but just barely. Their blades clashed with a shower of sparks.
Mary gritted her teeth and pushed harder.
The shadows swirled around her, amplifying her strength. With a burst of force, she shoved the hunter back, sending him stumbling. Before he could recover, she whispered a single word:
"Mist Blade."
The technique activated instantly. Three arching slashes materialized in the air, converging from all angles. The hunter barely had time to scream before he was caught in the onslaught.
When the mist cleared, he was on the ground—motionless.
Mary turned, breathing hard. More hunters were surrounding them.
Lela and Loosie fought like demons, but the enemy kept coming. And then—
A voice cut through the chaos.
"Enough."
The battlefield froze.
From the treeline, a figure stepped forward, clad in a dark, regal coat. His long silver hair caught the firelight, his expression unreadable. But his presence alone sent a chill down Mary's spine.
Eris, standing beside her, tensed. "No…"
Lela turned, eyes narrowing. "Who the hell is that?"
Eris didn't take her eyes off him. "That," she said, her voice grim, "is Lucian Valkar. The Right Hand of the Hunters' Order."
Mary swallowed hard. Even without knowing his name, she could feel his power.
Lucian's gaze swept over them, landing on Mary. A slow smirk curved his lips.
"So," he said, his voice smooth as silk. "You're the infamous Vampire Mary."
Mary didn't answer.
Lucian sighed, as if disappointed. "The Order has taken a great interest in you, you know. It's not often a vampire earns our full attention."
Mary raised her blade, her heart pounding. "I don't care."
Lucian chuckled. "You should. Because if you come with me willingly, I promise you won't suffer. Resist, and…"
He flicked his wrist.
In an instant, the hunters regrouped, surrounding them on all sides.
Eris cursed. "We need to go."
Mary knew she was right. They were outnumbered, and Lucian was an unknown variable. If he was powerful enough to command the Hunters' Order directly, then they had no chance in a direct fight.
But she wasn't about to let them take her.
Mary clenched her fists. The Blood Covenant pulsed within her, and an idea formed.
She turned to Lela and Loosie. "Cover me."
They didn't hesitate.
Lela spun her spear, summoning a surge of divine lightning, while Loosie dashed forward, her daggers gleaming.
Eris moved beside Mary. "What are you planning?"
Mary took a deep breath. "Something reckless."
She reached deep into the Blood Covenant's power. The shadows responded instantly, swirling like a living storm.
And then—she let it explode.
The darkness erupted outward, swallowing the battlefield in an impenetrable void.
For a brief moment, there was silence. Then—
Chaos.
The hunters shouted in confusion, blinded by the overwhelming darkness.
Mary grabbed Eris' wrist. "Run."
They didn't need to be told twice.
Under the cover of the shadows, they bolted. Mary's pulse pounded as she weaved through the trees, her body moving faster than ever before. The Blood Covenant still burned in her veins, but she ignored it.
Behind them, the darkness slowly began to fade.
Lucian's voice rang out. "Run all you want, Mary. You will be ours."
Mary gritted her teeth and pushed forward.
They weren't safe yet.
But she wasn't afraid anymore.
She would never belong to them.
And if they wanted a war…
She would give them one.