Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 476: A hopeless fight

Chapter 476: A hopeless fight

She could feel it deep within her bones.

It was darkness, a thick and potent darkness.

However, if it were just that, she wouldn’t have felt such apprehension, after all, the Night Kindred thrived in darkness.

It was only within darkness that a Creature of the Night could reveal its true might.

But the darkness she sensed, it was no friend of theirs.

No, it was more an enemy than anything else.

It rippled like a viscous liquid with a dangerous corruption that was not of Eventide, seeking to devour all it came in contact with.

This wasn’t the darkness the Night Kindred worshiped.

No, it was from a place that rejected the very existence of the Night Kindred... that rejected the very existence of Eventide.

"Mistress, we should go in." One of her subordinates suggested despite sensing it too.

Lucia hesitated before she replied. "We can’t. There is a dangerous foe beyond."

"But that is our home, Mistress. If the Eastern Highlands falls, we lose everything." Another of her subordinates intoned.

Lucia took a deep breath as she closed her eyes, struggling to hold back the emotions threatening to burst out.

Just like her subordinates, she considered the Eastern Highlands her home.

She’d lived in it for so long, carrying out the whims of her now-deceased mistress.

Naturally, she didn’t wish to just abandon it.

But was there much of a choice in the matter?

She spoke. "I sense divinity."

"Mistress..."

"That means this darkness was wrought by a being possessing divinity. Going in there is the same as dying. We cannot hope to defend against such force."

"So do we flee, Mistress?... Do we flee and abandon our brothers and sisters?"

A subtle hint of melancholy punctuated the atmosphere of her group but Lucia could not lead them into that darkness in good faith.

There was the good fight... and the hopeless fight.

She wished to fight but never to engage in the latter category.

Hence, she remained steadfast. "The best thing we can do for our brethren right now is to return to the Empire and seek backup. We cannot face the enemy alone."

"But still..."

"Enough!" Lucia bellowed.

She hadn’t wanted to do so but they gave her no choice and so she pulled on the sire bond, leaving them subservient to her will.

"We shall return to the Empire. We will let the others know that the true nature of what’s happening in the Eastern Highlands has been concealed. We will not die until we have rallied a force to handle the situation. Lastly, none of you shall disobey my orders, understood?"

"As you wish, Mistress."

Satisfied, Lucia ordered. "Let’s return."

Just like that, she led the march back through the Spirit World with her subordinates following closely behind.

Meanwhile, her previous position seemed to slowly be tainted by an inky blackness.

It seemed the corruptive darkness was not only affecting the physical plane.

***

Initially caught off guard by the nameless nun’s domain, Douglas was able to quickly regain his composure before dashing forward with reckless abandon.

From his experience with Alex’s domain, Eternal Night, he understood that a domain allowed its user to attack from any angle and so the best defense was to attack before they did anything.

His first mistake had been putting some distance between himself and the nun as it had allowed her some breathing room.

Never again.

The nameless nun snorted as she exerted her authority within the domain, causing several large ghostly hands to appear from thin air.

The arms exerted a pressure that caught Douglas in his tracks, leaving him immobile while attempting to mold his pneuma.

"Though not as much as the stranger, the Mother has also expressed interest in you." The nameless nun remarked. "Your soul is unlike any other, a hybrid bearing the signature of two different Cryptid races, races that have no business merging. She says it is almost reminiscent of the one worshiped by the Beastmen, though pointedly more unique."

"What does that even mean?" Douglas asked in a strained voice as he tried to break free from his bondage.

Alas, it was easier said than done.

The nameless nun grinned. "She wishes to mold you in her image. Perhaps, you would be lucky enough to serve as one of the Messiah’s trusted aides. Wouldn’t that be glorious?"

"Go fuck yourself." Douglas spat coldly.

Hardly offended, the nun pressed on. "Now then, give me a moment as I attempt to make you better."

With those words, she reached out and almost in sync, the ghostly arms began to play with Douglas’s pneuma, causing him to gasp in pain as it felt like it was about to be torn from him.

The nun seemed satisfied that the kneading was successful and so prepared to start the next step only for an audible crack to echo across her domain.

The next moment, it shattered like glass, catching her completely off guard only for the scenery to transform, taking on the characteristics of the insides of a volcano.

"Our domains may be incompatible but I doubt your Authority is greater than mine." Arthur’s voice rang out from the opposite end of the newly formed domain causing the nun to glance at him, her attention in Douglas completely gone.

Though conscious, Douglas was finding it difficult to get back on his feet as his Pneuma had suffered quite a bit of damage.

Arthur spared him a glance before manipulating the earth to bring Douglas to his side.

"If you are here, that means the Virgin Mother is unprotected." The nameless nun pointed out with a mocking smile causing Douglas to grow tense as he tossed a glance Arthur’s way despite the pain he was experiencing.

"Don’t worry, she’s fine, for now at least. I made sure of it."

"Compatibility is hardly in your favor, Beastman, I advise you to run while you still can. I have no quarrel with you."

Arthur chuckled. "As much as I’d like to take that wonderful offer, unfortunately, I can’t."

"Then you shall die like all the others that have stood in my way." As she spoke, the illusory arms sprouting from her back suddenly shot forward with intent.