Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 530: Fifty percent

Chapter 530: Fifty percent

"It’s Serena," Lucas muttered with a frown, his gaze zeroed on the abominable tree at the edge of the valley.

The others had discovered it as well, the light of the High Spirit, Pixie, helping to keep the dark veil at bay.

"She’s dead." Beatrice intoned, unsure of how to feel about the current state of things.

The others exchanged looks with one another before Moldark decided to ask the question on everyone’s minds. "What now?... Whatever is on the other side is what did this to Serena. She may have been weak but that doesn’t mean she was far off from the rest of us."

"I agree," Gregory remarked, having regained most of himself. "It’s risky to venture into the land beyond the mountains if it’s dangerous enough to turn Serena into... this."

"So what do we do?... We can’t just turn and leave. Whatever happens beyond determines if we get to live or die." Lucas said with Beatrice agreeing with him.

Finally, Vorigan spoke, having been temporarily elevated to the post of mediator. "We do nothing. We won’t be of much help on the other side and going back might give off the wrong idea to those involved. So we remain here."

"What happens if the Family Heads win?" Lucas questioned with Moldark snorting.

"Their enemy is a Daemon, I doubt they would be able to gain a victory unscathed."

"I agree with Moldark. If they win but at a terrible cost, perhaps we might be able to use it to our advantage." Gregory intoned as the others quickly understood what he was getting at.

Beatrice frowned. "Planning subterfuge even now?... Do you not understand that we are also in need of time to rebuild?"

Gregory was just about to retort when Vorigan spoke up again.

"Now is not the time for argument. We’ll set up camp here and wait for the final results. We have done the best we can, everything else relies on those that can go to the other side and survive."

***

All it took was a step and Natasha closed a sufficient distance between herself and the Horseman.

But that was all she could take before the latter reacted, aiming its flaming blade at her before the undead converged like a swarm, eager to take a bite out of her.

Natasha gritted her teeth and was prepared to throw the first punch only for a series of paper figurines to begin to rain down out of nowhere.

Before Natasha could figure out what was happening, the paper figurines became animated, turning into warriors to contend with the undead army.

At first, the paper figurines seemed to be on the losing side, but with more paper falling, it didn’t take long before Natasha was surrounded by combat-ready paper figurines, leaving her questioning the reality of what was happening before her eyes.

Just then, she heard a familiar voice. "Really?... Paper warriors?... You couldn’t think of something else?"

They are quite effective.

"Uh-huh."

She instinctively looked up, same as the Horseman, to find Alex descending on a paper boat along with Victoria with a Greater Spirit flying beside them.

The trio landed in a space provided by the paper men giving way after which Alex stepped out of the boat and approached Natasha.

"Well, hello there."

"It’s you," Natasha muttered with a complicated expression on her face.

Alex flashed a smile. "Missed me?"

"That... you look well."

Before Alex could respond, the Witch spoke up.

Perhaps, you can continue with the catching up later. Your subordinate is hardly capable of keeping me tethered to this plane for very long so if there is a battle to be fought, let us begin as I have much to show you about my capabilities.

Alex sneered. "So far, there’s not much to write home about."

Natasha didn’t know how to react seeing what she could only extrapolate was a Higher Spirit feeling offended at the words of a Mystic.

However, she quickly snapped out of her reverie as she realized the situation she was in before Alex’s unexpected arrival.

"You are here to help, right?" Natasha suddenly asked with Alex nodding.

"Indeed, like a Shepherd, I am here to take those in need of a home to greener pastures."

"Then please take Leslie and the citizens and go."

"And you?"

"I plan to stay," Natasha replied in a determined tone causing Alex to raise a brow.

"I didn’t know you had gotten suicidal. Is it because of recent happenings?"

"It’s not like that."

"Then what?... You plan to face off against hordes of undead alone with nothing but your wit and a bit of good luck?"

Natasha bit down on her lower lip. "I feel like if I run away now I might not get such an opportunity to test myself ever again."

"So you want to face the Horseman?"

"Yes," Natasha admitted. "If you can, help me deal with the undead but leave the Horseman to me."

Letting out a resigned sigh, Alex nodded. "Alright then, you can have your epic battle. I’ll deal with the grunts."

A brilliant smile suffused Natasha’s lips almost like she hadn’t just placed herself in a precarious situation.

Not only was she sufficiently exhausted with very little energy to spare, but the enemy she was about to face was an anomaly like no other.

Yet she strode forward without hesitation, her gaze fixated on the Horseman, who on realizing that there was no escaping the challenge, kicked his horse and had it charge at her to ram his blade through Natasha.

Natasha stood ready and once the blade was close, she rolled and went underneath the horse before proceeding to lift it off the ground and toss it aside, effectively relieving the Horseman of his mount.

***

Alex, Alejandro, and Humphrey appeared before the towering tree, waves of life brushing past them with increased fervor.

Alejandro let out a muffled groan as he increased the heat burning his cells as their proliferation rate spiked.

"How much now?" Alex questioned with Alejandro replying.

"Fifty percent."