Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 575: Domains

Chapter 575: Domains

"There is no reason we must fight. We have no quarrel between us." Alex calmly stated as he floated in midair, surrounded by the crimson essence of destruction that persisted within the heart of the Drowned Palace.

It flowed like a river, with the corpses of those unlucky enough to have died in it floating at the top.

Several meters before him floated a majestic ship that, at its prime, must have been the pride of the seas.

Now, it was shrouded with a ghostly aura, boarded by headless undead creatures, and led by an Undead Wheel Mystic.

The one at the helm, a woman dressed in stereotypical pirate attire, regarded him with hateful eyes as she replied. "We have no quarrel, but you stand in my way; why is that?"

"It isn’t intentional. A friend of mine was captured and I wished to save her."

"A friend?... The dragon?" Udele questioned with Alex nodding in agreement.

"Indeed."

"I see," Udele remarked.

"I can take her and leave; that way, we no longer need to be at each other’s throats." Alex intoned, intending to diffuse the situation not because he was scared but because he saw no reason to escalate matters.

The only reason he entered this pseudo-dimension was because of Ana.

Anything outside of that would be troublesome and he wasn’t exactly keen on that.

"Don’t you think it’s too late for that?" Udele suddenly questioned, causing Alex’s expression to shift.

"How so?"

"For as long as I have known him, Tyrant has never let go of prey and your dragon friend is the perfect one for him to increase his strength. So just as he aids me in my ritual, I must assist him in his. That is how a symbiotic relationship works."

Pursing his lips, Alex inquired. "You would risk failing your ritual against a peaceful resolution?"

"No, I would risk failing my ritual against a chance to strengthen my ally because he would have done the same for me."

Alex’s expression cooled as he recognized that statement as an unyielding one.

Letting out a sigh, he muttered. "Fine then, do what you must, but I will do the same, I hope you can understand."

In response to that, a lightning storm manifested as acid rain began to fall from above.

Alex snapped just as several bolts converged on his location only for all to be redirected, instead aiming for Udele.

The attacks dissipated in midair allowing Udele to lay eyes on the reason her attacks didn’t connect.

A shadowed figure that took on the appearance of an aged fellow dressed in a scholar’s robe with an enlightened pair of pale eyes.

Freed of the spatial maze imposed by Tyrant, Humphrey was free to move once again, his gaze quickly zeroing on Udele’s figure while his Authority moved to suppress her.

Snorting derisively, Udele forcibly pushed back the Authority, catching Humphrey off guard and causing him to address Alex.

It would seem we would have to consider relocating.

"Why?"

Before he could respond, Udele’s figure transformed, shifting from a petite female pirate to a looming headless ghostly figure with a guillotine floating over where her head was meant to be.

Seeing this, Humphrey didn’t hesitate to transmute the air, intending to conjure a ball of light with similar effects to the Lightbringer because just as the Beast Wheel was weak to mental attacks, the Undead Wheel was weak to intense light rays.

The ball of light manifested, but not only did it affect Udele but him as well, causing his expression to turn sour.

He was forced to reduce the intensity to ease the pain but that allowed Udele to launch an attack of her own as numerous lightning bolts rained down in quick succession.

Just then, there was a crisp snap followed by the manifestation of several chains that swiftly wrapped around Udele, keeping her chained down with no means of escape.

But instead of worrying, Udele counterattacked with Alex instinctively feeling uncomfortable around his neck.

Move!

Humphrey immediately took hold of Alex and escaped the space.

Udele’s figure shifted back to normal, revealing an annoyed expression.

Just a bit more and she would have been able to conclude the battle.

Clicking her tongue, she immediately turned her attention towards Tyrant’s location, quickly discovering the precarious position the serpent was in.

With a thought, she moved to support him.

Meanwhile, Humphrey appeared in a different place within the Palace with Alex.

"What was that about?"

Have you never battled a Mystic of the Undead Wheel before?

Alex was about to respond with a resounding no only to recall that he had indeed encountered one back in Cance.

What was she called again?... Ah yes, the Weeping Lady.

But it was merely an encounter and not a battle so could he say he had fought an Undead Wheel Mystic?

He didn’t think so.

"Why?"

Letting out a sigh, Humphrey remarked.

What domain do you think the Undead Wheel has Authority over?

"This is not the time for a mystical lesson, Humphrey, get to the point."

You are so impatient. The Undead Wheel holds Authority over Domains.

Alex blinked in confusion. "Sorry what?"

They can manifest anything within an area they signify as their domain and the closer it is to their origin, the stronger their domain is.

"Wait, anything?"

Anything. But most endeavor to reduce the scope of what happens within their domain to prevent them from running mad.

Realization dawned on Alex as he muttered. "That’s why you fled the crimson space."

Indeed. Udele had already marked the area we were in as her domain. If we had stayed there a second longer, I believe you would have lost your head... literally.

Only then did Alex register a sharp pain in his neck, causing him to touch it and retract his hand, swiftly discovering the fact that a small cut had already lined the back of his neck, drawing a bit of blood.

Any deeper and he would have lost his head while remaining ignorant as to why.

His eyes went wide with terror as he couldn’t believe how close he was to death.

Immediately, he snapped, utilizing Blessings of the Dark Moon to heal himself while contemplating how best to resolve the current situation.