Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 287: Platadoris

Chapter 287: Platadoris

Blinding light covered the landscape, destroying everything it came in contact with as a roar from below echoed making it seem like the earth was protesting against such wanton destruction.

By the time the light dimmed and finally disappeared, all that was left was a deep crater that stretched for over five miles.

It was somewhat intimidating with Victoria staring wide-eyed and Ana gawking while Alejandro had noticeably calmed down, his brown eyes reflecting the hole in the earth.

He glanced at Alex for a moment, his senses registering just how dangerous Alex was.

If he utilized such an attack on Aragon, just how many would perish to stop it?

The thought caused Alejandro to once again recall those he’d lost in the just-ended battle.

"Take me down," Alejandro muttered softly.

Ana glanced at Alex who nodded in response.

"Alright," Ana said as she moved down to the center of the crater with Alejandro.

Alex and Victoria followed closely behind with all four dropping at the same location.

Letting go of Alejandro, Ana stepped back, worried that the former might try to attack her for how she’d dragged him from the troll but no such thing happened with Alejandro dropping to his knees, his head hung low like a defeated man.

"It is my mistake, my brothers. I had promised to protect you all yet... yet I allowed this to happen. I am unfit to be king, I have betrayed your trust." Alejandro spoke in a self-deprecating tone, his expression contorted as he recalled the image of his brethren falling prey to the machinations of the enemy.

If that were all, it would be fine but their bodies were further desecrated, turned into vile abominations which forced him and his men to raise their hands against their people.

And now?... Now, he couldn’t even get their bodies to properly bury them.

It was a loss like no other and it was all because of him.

"Ahhh!" Alejandro screamed out, his voice booming through the desolate landscape.

Alex, Victoria, and Ana watched him mourn his people, with the last two unsure of how best to approach the situation.

Alex on the other hand, had an idea.

He silently sauntered over and once he stood before the Rey, clenched his fist and struck the latter across the cheek, drawing shocked expressions from Victoria and Ana.

Alejandro paused, his eyes wide before he shifted his gaze to meet Alex’s own.

"You are a king." Alex chided him. "Act like one."

"... You are right. I don’t know..."

"You are still finding it hard to keep steady thoughts," Alex remarked as he stretched out his hand for Alejandro to take it. "The unknown pollen spread by the vines and the abyss aura is enough to drop anyone to their lowest points. So now is not the time to succumb but to keep pushing. I doubt your fallen comrades would want you kneeling here, crying like a child."

Alejandro grabbed Alex’s outstretched hand before taking a deep breath with his eyes closed, his chest rising and falling as he did so.

Once his eyes opened, Alejandro had regained the aura that allowed Alex to respect him as a capable man.

"You are right. The enemy is not only adept at physical attacks but excels at mental and emotional manipulations as well. Quite a troublesome affair."

Alex grinned. "Don’t worry, I doubt..."

Interesting.

A sudden booming voice was heard, one that seemed to be carried by the wind and originated from everywhere.

"It would seem our enemy has decided to reveal himself," Alex muttered, his expression unreadable as he tried to pinpoint where the voice was coming from.

I had only considered the dragon and bear in my plans, I had no idea you were such a formidable foe. My apologies for underestimating you.

The voice carried with it a certain gravitas that made one unable to ignore it.

Alex chuckled. "I guess you are talking about me. Regardless, apology accepted. Now answer this... Who are you?"

My name is Platadoris. I am king of the Tree Spirits and God of the Wandering Forest, welcome to my territory.

"The first and second parts of his statement are true, the third however is not." Alejandro calmly remarked as he got to his feet.

... I believe this is the effect of what your people call a sixth sense. It is quite annoying if I’m being honest.

"I couldn’t agree more but that’s beside the point so let’s get down to business. What do you want?" Alex asked.

I will grant you all free passage. However, the dragon and bear must remain.

"I don’t think that’s going to be possible," Alex remarked.

You are mistaken, human. This isn’t a request, it is a concession, a god’s benevolence to allow you leave his territory unharmed.

"We already established you aren’t a god so drop it." Alex snapped, clearly the spokesperson of the group at this moment.

Kuhahahaha... you are something else, human. Even with borrowed power, you act like such a powerhouse. It is unfortunate, though you intrigue me, I am not about to contend with the one backing you. Now leave...

"You..." Alex’s expression crumpled for the first time as he realized that Platadoris had read his true nature.

Before more could be said, tremors shook the earth, leaving everyone on edge.

Ana, Victoria, and Alejandro quickly put up their guard with Alex seemingly disoriented as his expression remained frozen.

"Something is coming," Ana warned, already prepared to make a move when Alex raised a hand to stop her.

"I told you, do not move... not yet."

At the end of his statement, the reason, or rather, the reasons for the tremors emerged.

Gigantic creatures with grotesque appearances, possessing shapes that couldn’t be humanly described with human faces twisted in everlasting agony and hands clasped together as though in prayer surrounded them from all sides, their ’eyes’ peering down at their quarry.

I will give you one last chance. Leave or else I will be forced to devour you all.

Even as he spoke, vines had already begun to erupt from the crater, the unrestrained murderous aura from them pointed in Alex’s direction.

"That is more than enough." Alejandro finally spoke up.

Have you made your choice?

"Indeed," Alejandro said before adding in an icy tone. "You will pay for harming my men."

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.